Expert: Candy - 5/23/2007

Question
Hi, I would appreciate your help. My boyfriend has been struggling for years trying to get a proper diagnosis for his symptoms. He lives in England and the doctors there have told him everything from having an adrenal gland tumor to chronic fatigue. He just had tests to see if his adrenal glands are working properly!  The test involves a baseline blood cortisol measurement, then they inject you with a hormone to stimulate more, then measure it again half an hour later. Should be about 140 units before, then rise to a minimum of 550. His was 865 before, and 933 after. Labs marked as normal, but doctor to have a look and get back to him. I was hoping you could email him and just relate, give him support with what you are going through and see if there are support groups on this debilitating disease. I love him very much and just am very concerned. Thank you, Lisa

Answer
Tell him to ask his doctor to run a blood test for the Epstein Barr Virus.  If it comes back positive...he has CFIDS for which there is no cure.  Here are some suggestions for some things that have helped me.

Vitamins and Minerals Maximum Daily Dose

Malic acid/Magnesium hydroxide 1,800-6,000 mg (take in 6 small doses)
Beta carotene (pro vitamin A) 10,000 I.U.
Vitamin B complex
B1 (thiamine) 50 mg
B2 (riboflavin) 75 mg
B3 (niacin amide) 200 mg
B5 (pantothenic acid) 200 mg
B6 (pyridoxine) 75 mg
B12 (cyanocobalamin) 100 mcg
Folic acid 400 mcg
Biotin 400 mcg
Choline 700 mg
Inositol 500 mg
PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) 50 mg
Vitamin C 2000 mg
Vitamin D 200 I.U.
Vitamin E 400 I.U.
Calcium aspartate 1200 mg
Magnesium aspartate 600 mg
Potassium aspartate 200 mg
Iron 18 mg
Chromium 150 mcg
Manganese 20 mg
Selenium 50 mcg
Zinc 15 mg
Copper 2 mg
Iodine 150 mcg

Dosage: Take one-quarter to full amount of the above nutrients on a daily basis. Begin this formula with the lowest dose of each nutrient and increase the dose slowly and gradually to the recommended maximum depending on how you are feeling.

yourbal Tinctures Maximum Daily Dose
Ginkgo biloba 2 droppers full
Ginger root 2 droppers full
Burdock root 2 droppers full
Dandelion root 2 droppers full
Licorice root 1/2 dropper full

Dosage: Take one-quarter to full amount of the above nutrients on a daily basis. Begin this formula with the lowest dose of each nutrient and increase the dose slowly and gradually to the recommended maximum depending on how you are feeling.


Food Sources of Vitamin A

Vegetables
Carrots
Carrot juice
Collard greens
Dandelion greens
Green onion
Kale
Parsley
Spinach
Sweet potatoes
Turnip greens
Winter squash
Fruit
Apricots
Avocado
Cantaloupe
Mangoes
Papaya
Peaches
Persimmons
Meat, Poultry, Seafood
Crab
Halibut
Liver-all types
Mackerel
Salmon
Swordfish

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Food Sources of Vitamin B Complex (including folic acid)

Vegetables and Legumes
Alfalfa
Artichokes
Asparagus
Beets
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Corn
Garbanzo beans
Green beans
Green peas
Kale
Leeks
Lentils
Lima beans
Onions
Pinto beans
Romaine lettuce
Soybeans


Meat, Poultry, Seafood
Egg yolks *
Liver *
Grains
Barley
Bran
Brown rice
Corn
Millet
Rice bran
Wheat
Wheat germ
Sweeteners
Black-strap molasses
* Eggs and meat should be from organic range-fed stock fed on pesticides free food.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food Sources of Vitamin B6

Grains
Brown rice
Buckwheat flour
Rice bran
Rice polishings
Rye flour
Wheat germ
Whole wheat flour
Vegetables
Asparagus
Beet greens
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cauliflower
Green peas
Leeks
Sweet potatoes
Meat, Poultry, Seafood
Chicken
Salmon
Shrimp
Tuna
Nuts and seeds
Sunflower seeds

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food sources of Vitamin B12

Fish
Eggs*
Liver*
* Eggs and meat should be from organic range-fed stock fed on pesticides-free food.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food Sources of Vitamin C

Fruits
Blackberries
Black Currents
Cantaloupe
Elderberries
Grapefruit
Grapefruit juice
Guavas
Kiwi fruit
Mangoes
Oranges
Orange juice
Pineapple
Raspberries
Strawberries
Tangerines
Vegetables
Asparagus
Black-eyed peas
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Collards
Green onions
Green peas
Kale
Kohlrabi
Parsley
Potatoes
Rutabaga
Sweet pepper
Sweet potatoes
Tomatoes
Turnips


Meat, Poultry, Seafood
Liver-all types
Pheasant
Quail
Salmon

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food Sources of Iron (listed from best to good)

Grains
Bran cereal (All-Bran)
Millet, dry
Wheat germ
Pasta, whole wheat
Bran muffin
Pumpernickel bread
Oat flakes
Shredded wheat
Whole wheat bread
Rye bread
Wheat bran
Pearl barley
White rice
Fruits
Prune juice
Figs
Raisins
Prunes, dried
Avocado
Apple juice
Dates, dried
Blackberries
Pineapple
Grape juice
Apricots, fresh
Cantaloupe
Strawberries
Cyourries
Legumes
Black beans
Pinto beans
Garbanzo beans
Soybeans
Kidney beans
Lima beans
Lentils
Split peas
Black-eyed peas
Tofu
Meat, Poultry, Seafood
Calf liver
Beef liver
Chicken liver
Oysters
Trout
Clams
Scallops
Sardines
Shrimp
Chicken
Haddock
Cod
Salmon
Vegetables
Brussels sprouts
Spinach
Broccoli
Sweet potatoes
Dandelion greens
Green beans
Corn
Leeks
Kale
Swiss chard
Beets
Beet greens
Mushrooms
Green peas
Parsnips
Carrots
Mustard greens
Green pepper
Lettuce
Turnips
Asparagus
Collards
Cauliflower
Zucchini
Winter squash
Red cabbage
Nuts and Seeds
Sesame seeds
Sunflower seeds
Pistachios
Pecans
Sesame butter
Almonds
Hazelnuts (filberts)
Walnuts

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food Sources of Zinc

Grains
Barley
Brown rice
Buckwheat
Corn
Cornmeal
Millet
Oatmeal
Rice bran
Rye bread
Wheat bran
Wheat germ
Wheat berries
Whole wheat bread
Whole wheat flour
Vegetables and Legumes
Black-eyed peas
Cabbage
Carrots
Garbanzo beans
Green peas
Lentils
Lettuce
Lima beans
Onions
Soy flour
Soy meal
Soy protein
Fruits
Apples
Peaches
Meat, Poultry, Seafood
Chicken
Oysters


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food Sources of Calcium

Vegetables and Legumes
Artichoke
Black beans
Black-eyed peas
Beet greens
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Collards
Eggplant
Garbanzo beans
Green beans
Green onions
Kale
Kidney beans
Leeks
Lentils
Parsley
Parsnips
Pinto beans
Rutabaga
Soybeans
Spinach
Turnips
Watercress
Meat, Poultry, Seafood
Abalone
Beef
Bluefish
Carp
Crab
Haddock
your ring
Lamb
Lobster
Oysters
Perch
Salmon
Shrimp
Venison
Fruits
Blackberries
Black currants
Boysenberries
Oranges
Pineapple juice
Prunes
Raisins
Rhubarb
Tangerine juice
Grains
Bran
Brown rice
Bulgar wheat
Millet


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food Sources of Magnesium

Vegetables and Legumes
Artichokes
Black-eyed peas
Carrot juice
Corn
Green peas
Leeks
Lima beans
Okra
Parsnips
Potatoes
Soybean sprouts
Spinach
Squash
Yams
Grains
Brown rice
Millet
Wild rice
Nuts and Seeds
Almonds
Brazil nuts
Hazelnuts
Peanuts
Pistachios
Pumpkin seeds
Sesame seeds
Walnuts
Fruits
Avocado
Bananas
Grapefruit juice
Papayas
Pineapple juice
Prunes
Raisins

The following are web sites to organizations that can provide you with more information.

http://www.cfidsselfhelp.org/

www.cfids.net/

www.aacfs.org/

www.ncf-net.org/

www.cfids.org

www.co-cure.org/cocurering.htm

members.tripod.com/pwcfriends/index.html

www.sunraysupply.com/

I hope this helps.  I wish you both good luck.