Chronic Fatigue
We are composed of trillions of cells, ideally working in concert, each communicating among themselves, and within some mysterious timeline, they die off as new cells are generated. This orchestration is conducted by a mysterious, miraculous force.
Yet on the material level, the source of power within each cell, which drives its function, are hundreds of mitochondria. Some cells found in the brain, heart and liver even have thousands of mitochondria.
So, you could say that the origin of fatigue relates to the lowering of mitochondrial function, a decline in the source of power inside our cells.
The question is, ‘What is the cause of this dysfunction?’
Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue
Most often a person with chronic fatigue simultaneously experiences physical and mental symptoms. These might include pain and inflammation, headaches, recurring colds and flus, infections such as sinusitis, sleep issues, lack of appetite, digestive issues, and fluctuations of blood pressure and blood sugar.
These are the outward physical expression of the inner fatigue and could even be symptoms which have led to, or contributed to, their condition.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction
All our cells are bathed in lymph fluid and serum, the liquid part of the blood.
Within our lymph and blood may flow environmental toxins from the air we breathe, the foods we consume, the water we drink, and even the toxic cosmetics we apply to our skin. From these fluids, these toxins can easily enter our cells.
Even bacteria and mold contribute to this problem since bacteria excrete biotoxins and molds secrete mycotoxins.
When toxins are in circulation the body’s innate wisdom sequesters them inside cells, to clear them from the blood stream, to protect our more important tissues including our brain, nervous system, and reproductive organs.
This wisdom primarily selects fat cells for this compartmentalization since they are the least important for survival, yet all cells, to a lesser degree, are negatively impacted.
All the toxins mentioned are one cause of mitochondrial dysfunction leading to chronic fatigue.
Regarding a low-grade chronic infection of bacteria and mold, the most effective and without side effects, is treating the blood with ozone. This will eliminate one source of mitochondrial toxins.
Parasites can also be an underlying cause. If they exist then specific supplements, both herbal and pharmaceutical, will be recommended.
Regarding environmental types of toxins, the first step is living more consciously, to avoid them in our food, water, and environment.
Yet the question is, ‘How do I get the toxins out of my cells to restore optimal mitochondrial function?’
Once toxins are inside cells, flushing them out requires energy because it is an active transport. The source of this energy, called ATP, are mitochondria.
But if our mitochondria are not working optimally, how can this active transport work?
Here are a few solutions.
- Specific dietary recommendations
- Fasting
- Juice cleanses
- Saunas
- Various supplements specifically formulated to feed mitochondria.
- Sunlight especially the far infrared spectrum
- Sleep may improve through supplements and by controlling blood sugar regulation. A prescription for bioidentical progesterone may be necessary. Sleep is restorative and all cells will function better.
Digestion and Nutrition
Many people suffering from chronic fatigue attribute stress as a cause and even the origin of when it started.
How does stress relate to the development of chronic fatigue?
The Autonomic Nervous System has three branches but let us consider two of them, the sympathetic and the parasympathetic.
The sympathetic relates to fight or flight and the parasympathetic is rest and digest. Stress pushes us towards the sympathetic and away from the parasympathetic.
This results in the incomplete digestion of food, resulting in digestive issues, resulting in inadequate delivery of nutrients to our cells, resulting in lowered mitochondrial function, which leads to fatigue.
In the beginning, we recommend an enzyme to improve digestion which results in improved delivery of nutrients to cells.
Determining Causes for Chronic Fatigue
Medicine is a science and an art, or the practice of medicine is an art rather than an exact science, and the art of medicine is a skill acquired by observation and experience.
With regards to determining the causes of chronic fatigue, if the clinician does not know what he or she is looking for, the causes will never be discovered.
How many physicians consider mold as a cause, or parasites, or digestive issues, or mitochondrial dysfunction, or environmental toxins?
And how many man-made synthetic chemicals are we exposed to in our environment, our food and our water?
Approximately 350,000 chemicals have been reported for production and used globally, with thousands of new chemicals being introduced into our environment annually.
You could say our Earth is sick and humans are simply the outward expression of this illness.
There is no magic bullet for chronic fatigue but the experienced physician who understands what to look for will discover several underlying causes for chronic fatigue.
During this investigation of causes there are several tools to aid the physician.
- Blood tests (too many to mention)
- The darkfield microscope unveils bacteria, mold, and white blood cell activity.
- Electrodermal screening
- Hair analysis for present heavy metal exposure, and mineral and trace mineral deficiencies
Again, you can try various supplements to increase energy but until the causes are discovered, treated and eliminated, improvements will be minimal and not long lasting.