Treatment & Research News

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Welcome to the first Chronic Fatigue Syndrome issue of the ProHealth ImmuneSupport.com newsletter. Next week, you will receive the inaugural Fibromyalgia newsletter. Each bi-weekly newsletter will focus on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome OR Fibromyalgia, but not both. Any article or feature that is applicable to both syndromes will be appearing in both newsletters. If you are not interested in receiving both newsletters, simply "unsubscribe" to the one you don't want.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is an incredibly complex disease that affects virtually every organ system, causing untold misery for many millions of patients. Yet according to CDC statistics, less than 20 percent of sufferers in the United States have received a diagnosis. Meanwhile the undiagnosed people suffer alone, unsupported, and un-empowered. Can you imagine? Now, researchers in Japan have developed a test that differentiates healthy controls from CFS sufferers with 100 percent accuracy (54 of 54 healthy controls). Something like this could be a blessing for the undiagnosed. Please see the article below.

We also report on new research from the University of Miami, on a blood test that may be able to measure the severity of CFS symptoms, including fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and daytime dysfunction. This could give researchers a huge advantage in developing treatments that provide objective improvement.

Speaking of CFS-related cognitive dysfunction: Patients frequently ask me if I take any supplements to support healthy brain function. I do, and the supplements that I feel are the most important are Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA for inflammation, circulation, and cell membrane stability); Ginkgo Biloba (a powerful brain antioxidant that impressive research shows facilitates healthy blood circulation in the brain); and Phosphatidyl Serine (to support healthy brain cell membranes, memory, and mental acuity). Take a look at our educational article on Phosphytidyl Serene, and give some thought to supporting your brain function nutritionally.

See you next week in our first biweekly issue of the Fibromyalgia newsletter. Until then, thank you for purchasing your healthcare products from ProHealth. We appreciate your support.

Wishing you good health,

Rich Carson
ProHealth founder and CFS patient

Blood Test Shows Distinct Promise as Tool for Diagnosing CFS

Recent tests using spectroscopic blood serum analysis successfully differentiated the blood of healthy subjects from that of diagnosed Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients with a 97 percent accuracy rate, according to a study by virologists at Japan's Osaka University and Osaka City University School of Medicine.

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Possible CFS Subgroups Identified: Test Results Indicative of Symptom Severity

Researchers at the University of Miami report "preliminary evidence" that measuring natural killer cell activity (NKCA) may support identification of a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patient subgroup with more severe symptoms. Natural killer cells are immune system cells that can destroy cells infected with a virus.

When the researchers measured the NKCA levels in 41 CFS patients, they identified two subgroups: one with "normal" natural killer cell function levels and the other with abnormally "low" levels.

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Mayo Finds Strong Indication of Genetic Link in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Condition Common to Large Majority of CFS and FM Patients

Clinical research reports have indicated that as many as 63 percent of the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) patients studied and 81 percent of Fibromyalgia (FM) patients meet the diagnostic criteria for the digestive system disorder called irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The symptoms of IBS include erratic abdominal pain or cramping and changes in bowel function such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.

Now gastroenterologists at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, report they've found strong indications of a genetic basis for IBS. Fully 70 percent of the 50 diagnosed IBS patients in their study had one or more close family members (parents, siblings, children) with symptoms characteristic of IBS.

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Science News Cover Story Features CFS & Research

Science News is not a personality-focused publication, but the cover of its July 1, 2006 issue features the face of a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patient emerging from shadows.

The cover story - "A Vexing Enigma: New Insights Confront Chronic Fatigue Syndrome," by Ben Harder - does much to explain and validate CFS scientifically among this magazine's 140,000-plus readers.

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Advice From the Experts

Sleep Disorder: The Most Important Symptom

What can you do to support your body's need for good quality sleep? Dr. William Collinge, a leading authority on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "behaviorial" recovery strategies, explains how you can overcome several acquired sleep patterns (such as being a "night person") that typically reduce CFS patients' ability to get refreshing sleep.

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Why It's Important To Remember Phosphatidyl Serine

Scores of research studies since the 1980s have pointed to an important role for the "brain cell nutrient" phosphatidyl serine (pronounced fos-fa-tie-dil see-reen) in support of brain functions such as memory and mental sharpness.

Our bodies produce phosphatidyl serine (PS) naturally, but here's what researchers have to say about PS supplementation that might be helpful for the aging brain and people combating "brain fog."

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Events and Announcements

National CFS Advisory Committee to Report on Newest Research July 17; Public Invited

About twice a year, the 11-expert national CFS Advisory Committee updates the Department of Health and Human Services on new Chronic Fatigue Syndrome research findings and offers funding and policy advice.

The next CFS Advisory Committee report to HHS is scheduled for July 17 in Washington, and anyone with an interest in advancing CFS-related research, public and medical education, and patient care is invited to attend.

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Weekly Inspiration

When I am hungry, give me someone that I can feed.
And when I am thirsty, give me someone who needs a drink.
When I am cold, give me someone to keep warm.
And when I grieve, give me someone to console.

- Mother Theresa

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