Planet Thrive

Recently I was having a conversation with someone about jealousy and my friend told me that everyone is jealous of her husband even his employees to the point that people treat him poorly. It’s not that he’s not kind and generous with his friends, family, and employees; its that he’s successful and has a very abundant life.

Jealousy is wanting what someone else has, and not necessarily wanting to do what it takes to get actually get it. Its one of those really negative energy wasting emotions like anger. I sometimes feel jealousy from people and I have to say it makes me sad (after over 2 decades of suffering I thought that everyone would be happy for my successes but that’s not the case).

I’m also a little hurt and saddened by some reactions and comments I get from the CFS community that somehow imply that I “don’t get it,” or even that I think CFS is “in your head.” So I want to tell you what I do think. I don’t EVER go to CFS forums because if I do and I mention recovery the hostility that is directed at me is so over the top and completely out of context with the reality I suffered for over 20 years. I do get it. Unfortunately I can honestly say this, I’ve never met anyone or even read an account of someone’s ordeal with CFS that can one up mine in the suffering department. My blog isn’t there to slog through the details of my suffering (that I call it my holocaust should be adequate to convey what I went through).

AND I get the anger and all the other emotions we go through continually; guilt, anxiety, isolation, loneliness, and abandonment. I know where the anger comes from because I experienced it too; having a serious disabling disease that is dismissed, trivialized, and minimized is excruciating to deal with. It seems it’s created a community of defensive people rather than say, the cancer community who love to hear about recovery stories because it gives them hope. So if you’re angry I get that too, yep been there too……..But I want to say I’m a CFS advocate, and I’m really passionate about it. So I’m for you and your recovery. I don’t want to be the cause of anyone’s anger because if you’re angry you will be less likely to heal because you are wasting energy and you’re creating negative energy that messes with your body chemistry. If you’re angry all the time, work on it with prayer, meditation, and stress reduction techniques.

And now here’s a little info on energy, something we really NEED to work on.

Producing energy is a complex biochemical process that involves a complicated cascade of events. Nutrients that we eat are converted into a high energy compound ATP (adenosine triphosphate) inside the cell in the mitochondria. The cycle of events to metabolize and convert sugar and fats into energy is known as the Krebs cycle. Energy is released as food is oxidized (the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats into energy is referred to as oxidation).

Free radicals are involved in many cellular functions and are a normal part of living; metabolism of nutrients to energy, to attack and destroy bacteria, viruses and virus-infected cells, and detoxifying actions of the liver.

Although free radicals have useful functions in the body under controlled conditions they are also released in the body from the breaking down or detoxification of chemicals and by consuming dietary free radicals in the form of chemically-altered fats from commercial vegetable oils, vegetable shortening (or any oil heated to very high temperatures).

Free radicals possess an unpaired electron in the outer shell of the molecule that’s why they are highly reactive and they can react with most molecules in its vicinity. Because they are trying to gain stability they attack the nearest stable molecule to steal its electron. Then the attacked molecule loses its electron, it becomes a free radical itself, starting a chain reaction that causes the disruption, dysfunction, damage, or death of a living cell.

When creating energy in the mitochondria oxygen is partially reduced to form superoxide, a radical or chemical species with an unpaired electron. Superoxide is also called a “Reactive Oxygen Species” (ROS). While ROS are mediators of intracellular signaling cascades, excessive production of ROS may lead to oxidative stress, loss of cell function, cell damage and cell death. That’s why we need a balance between oxidant and antioxidant intracellular systems for cell function, regulation, and adaptation.

When free radicals and other reactive oxygen species accumulate in the body they cause damage to cells and DNA. Oxidative Stress refers to the oxidative damage generated as by-products of normal and essential metabolic processes. Excessive oxidation and damage to lipid membranes are major causes of mitochondrial dysfunction.

Oxidative Stress occurs when the available supply of the body’s antioxidants is insufficient to counteract free radicals resulting in massive cell damage, cellular mutations, tissue breakdown, immune compromise, and mitochondrial dysfunction.

You know how I say that it’s the cumulative effect of stressors over time that so weakens the adrenal glands, immune system and central nervous system that leads to the cataclysmic breakdown we experience as CFS? All of the stressors you experience are causing free radical formation, imbalance in hormones and hormone production, chronic inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction.

When mitochondria fail you have a poor supply of ATP, which means inadequate energy supply. When mitochondria are functioning well the lactic acid produced in the muscles during exercise is quickly converted back to glucose but this process requires energy. People with dysfunctional mitochondria (like in CFS) experience pain, reduced energy, and post exertional malaise after exercise.

A typical first response of low energy and fatigue is to use things like sugar and stimulants but neither of these address the real cause and both cause more damage.

At first stimulants gently remove awareness – remove tiredness and actuate (excite) the mind and body. It should be obvious to reasoning minds that borrowed activity must be paid for sooner or later. –Dr. John H. Tilden, M.D., Early Pioneer of Drugless Therapy (1851-1940)

Normal body processes, creation of energy, immune functions, stressor overload, environmental toxins and chemicals -> excess free radical formation -> cellular dysfunction and inflammation -> mitochondrial decay and dysfunction and diseases like CFS.

The foundation of a CFS recovery is my healing formula:

Real whole food alkaline diet + restorative sleep + elimination of toxins and stressors + being positive and hopeful + regular graded exercise and pacing + consistency + supplements + time.

But that’s not to be interpreted as “the cure.” No the cure involves doing all of the above with consistency and staying within your limitations and also getting all of your other problems ironed out including hormone imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, GI problems like leaky gut or food intolerances and so on.

Recovering from CFS is like walking on a treadmill that’s at first going faster than you are. You can begin your program and it may seem like you’re going nowhere. Somewhere in time though if you continue with perseverance and consistency you’ll see some forward momentum, and finally you’ll get to a point where you ARE moving faster than that stupid treadmill you’ve been on.

So in order to stop the mitochondrial decay and dysfunction you need to stop doing things that cause excess free radical formation and inflammation and do things to combat free radical damage and heal inflammation. So be aware of the stressor load in your life, work on it and your diet.

Supplements to support the production of cellular energy in the mitochondria and help to relieve muscle pain and fatigue:

Alpha-lipoic Acid reduces oxidative stress as an antioxidant, charges other antioxidants restoring their power, and is needed to produce energy, playing a crucial role in mitochondria function, protecting the genetic material DNA.

CoQ10 is an enzyme that provides energy for the body’s cell growth and maintenance (it’s vital to the Krebs cycle and controls how well protons are pumped across the mitochondria membrane. It’s a powerful antioxidant, is highly effective in preserving mental functions, controlling immunity, and increases the heart’s tolerance to a lack of oxygen.

L-Carnitine is an amino acid that works to break down fats into fatty acids, which are transported into the cell’s mitochondria to be burned as fuel. Deficiencies of L-carnitine are linked to low energy levels and muscular weakness. Supplementation with L-Carnitine helps dramatically with muscle pain and fatigue.

Nicotinadmide Adenine Dinucleotide (NADA) is necessary for the generation and transmission of energy within cells. NADA supplementation can increase the production of dopamine, L-dopa and norepinephrine improving vitality, mental clarity, alertness, energy production and age related cognitive decline.

D-ribose is a monosaccharide that’s used to generate ATP. Theoretically supplementing your diet with additional ribose should increase the rate at which ATP is generated, leading to an improvement in exercise performance and faster muscle growth. D-Ribose can help jump-start your energy furnaces. The proper dose for the first 3 weeks is 5 grams (5000 mg) three times a day. It can then be dropped to twice a day.

B-vitamins such as Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6. Studies show evidence of reduced functional B vitamin status, particularly of pyridoxine, in CFS patients. Inability to transport B-12 across the cell membrane is the major cause of abnormal B-12 metabolism in persons with CFS. B Vitamin shots should be a part of any treatment for people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome.

Malic acid is a natural substance found in fruit and vegetables (apples contain a lot of malic acid) that boosts reduces muscle pain, increases energy, boosts immunity, maintains oral health, reducing the risk of poisoning from a build-up of toxic metals and promoting smoother and firmer skin.

Green powder supplements helps protect the body from free radical damage, detoxify and strengthen the body at the cellular level, promotes improved immune response, help to alkalize the body, and naturally increases your energy level.