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“The
first day of your life that you experience
less energy, less vitality and less mental power,
is the first day of your impending illness!”
—Dr. Bernard Jensen, Ph.D. |
Literally hundreds of
of thousands of people
across America are uttering the words "Chronic Fatigue", wondering whether or
not they might have this “dreaded syndrome.” Complaints range
from extreme fatigue, re-occurring colds and illnesses, to
poor digestion, lethargy, chronic exhaustion, allergies, food
sensitivities and much, much more.
The causes surrounding chronic
fatigue can be very complicated and extensive. It is time to
return to “extreme basics” concerning the causes of chronic
fatigue, and begin to understand how to overcome this
frustrating and unnecessary syndrome.
Many factors can
influence Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): hereditary factors
such as
-
your over-all genetic constitution (what strengths and
weaknesses you are given from your parents, grandparents,
etc.);
-
emotional stress;
-
environmental pollutants;
-
smoking;
-
overuse of antibiotics;
-
food allergies;
-
improper diet, etc.
These issues can be severely detrimental to the human body by
causing depletion of necessary vitamins and minerals, chemical
sensitivities, lowering immunity and creating excess acids and
toxins in the bloodstream. Individuals that have inherently
weak constitutions find themselves even more susceptible than
normal to the above factors.
THE ALL IMPORTANT DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
The core of the chronic
fatigue problem can be traced to the digestive system and the
metabolic processes that surround every type of food we place
in our mouths. Over 90% of my clients, whether they realize
it initially or not, come into my office with some type of
digestive disturbance, malfunction, or inefficiency. When the
digestive system is not functioning properly,
nutrients cannot be absorbed and assimilated from our
foods. To further complicate this issue, undigested food
matter ferments in the 98.6 degree digestive tract, and
becomes toxic. These toxins are eventually reabsorbed into
the bloodstream, consequently polluting all of our tissues and
cells. Many food allergies and toxemia cases stem from this
basic problem.
The digestive
process is the key factor in maintaining optimum health and
proper energy reserves. Our bodies need fuel (nutrients) to
provide energy—it’s simple. If your body is not digesting
nutrients properly, you become sluggish, lethargic, and most
importantly, malnourished, which in turn effects your whole
body.
The
glandular system (which is built and nourished with
protein, one of the hardest nutrients to digest) becomes weak.
The immune system becomes weak, yet continues to battle germs
and other foreign invaders to the point of chronic exhaustion.
The nervous system becomes weak and is unable to properly
handle the tremendous stress loads we place upon it every day,
which in turn creates insomnia, nervousness, irritability and
extreme fatigue.
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And so it goes, the
vicious cycle of malnutrition, malabsorption and toxemia…
all of which eventually lead to complaints of
chronic fatigue.
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Some people, even though they are eating a healthy diet, need also to expedite
and eliminate unwanted toxins and undigested food particles
that tend to linger in the bowel. This process tends to
“jump-start” the digestive system, clearing out the old, and
making way for the new. The importance of an internal
cleansing program in dealing with CFS cannot be stressed
enough. The only way to overcome this frustrating syndrome
over the long term is to encourage the digestive system to
properly digest, absorb and assimilate foods, which in turn
will properly nourish the body with essential,
energy-producing nutrients.
DIETARY
FACTORS
Dietary factors also play an
important part in alleviating chronic fatigue. People should
eat wholesome, organic, foods (raw, if they can tolerate
them) as often as they can. Basic, healthy, live foods such
as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, salads and high
quality proteins provide optimum nutrients to the body. Stay
away from processed foods, canned foods, junk foods, and
lifeless foods devoid of nutrients and enzymes. All
allergenic foods that contain sugar, gluten, dairy, alcohol,
nicotine, caffeine, excess fats, chemicals and additives
should be off limits to anyone battling chronic fatigue.
ALL
IMPORTANT
ENZYMES!
Supplemental enzymes are another
important factor in addressing chronic fatigue. Enzymes are
necessary for optimum absorption and assimilation of all
nutrients. In my practice, I use hydrochloric acid,
pancreatin, and/or various plant enzymes to support the
digestive system.
While raw foods
contain natural enzymes, most people eat a large amount of
cooked foods, which destroys enzymes. This process is one of
the main causes of impaired digestion, malabsorption and
malnourishment. Supplemental enzymes in therapeutic doses
work wonders for chronic fatigue individuals. As food is
properly converted into nutrients, energy levels immediately
increase.
ADDITIONAL
SUPPORT
NUTRIENTS
THAT
PACK
A
POWERFUL
PUNCH
Several other key supplements
are useful in overcoming chronic fatigue. Simply adding
the B-complex vitamins to a diet can raise energy levels from ten
percent to over ninety percent. It is important to realize
the B-vitamins also provide tremendous support and protection
to the nervous system. B vitamins are also water-soluble,
which means any excess is simply excreted.
Green Superfoods are also a favorite energy
producing supplement of mine. Superfoods are all natural,
contain no synthetic ingredients, and should include one or
more of the following: chlorella,
Spirulina, blue-green algae,
wheat grass, barley grass, spinach, etc. These foods are
extremely nutrient dense, and are some of the most powerful
energy-producing plants in existence. Superfoods are very
easy to assimilate and metabolize, insuring proper nutrient
utilization to all but the most extreme malabsorption
cases.
Individuals
suffering from CFS might also consider using a comprehensive
powdered nutritional supplement. Look for a powerful and
nutritionally-complete powdered supplement which offers a full
spectrum of vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, amino-acids,
herbs and enzymes. (A powdered nutrient system is much
easier to digest and absorb—a major factor with chronic
fatigue individuals.)
SUGGESTION
These
nutritional supplements go a long way in alleviating chronic
fatigue symptoms. They are easy to digest, easy to assimilate
and are powerful energy producers. A good all-around
nutritional supplement is worth its weight in gold.
Therapeutic supplementation can literally change people’s
lives, giving them a solid, optimum health foundation that can
weather illness, fatigue, excess stress and more.
THE
IMPORTANCE
OF
INTERNAL
CLEANSING
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome begins in the digestive tract—a
direct result of faulty digestion and malabsorption of
essential nutrients—and ends with toxic by-products being
reabsorbed into our bloodstream, creating toxemia. The first
step in alleviating chronic fatigue is to address the
digestive system, beginning with an internal cleansing
program. As Dr. Jensen says, “Proper healing cannot take
place without first addressing and cleansing the intestinal
tract.”
Herbal and fiber combinations should be used, along with
fresh, “live” juices and a wholesome, healthy diet, to
expedite and eliminate unwanted toxins and undigested food
particles that tend to linger in the bowel. This process
tends to “jump-start” the digestive system, clearing out the
old, and making way for the new.
The importance of an internal cleansing program in
dealing with CFS cannot be stressed enough. The only way to
overcome this frustrating syndrome over the long term is to
encourage the digestive system to properly digest, absorb
and assimilate foods, which in turn will properly nourish
the body with essential, energy-producing nutrients.
IN
CLOSING
There are literally hundreds of other supplements that
could be beneficial to the sufferers of CFS, but that is
really missing the point of this article. By understanding
the basic principles of “not just eating, but assimilating”
proper nutrients, and by providing the body with optimum
nourishment to enhance its numerous life-supporting systems,
it becomes clear that addressing the digestive system and its
metabolic functions will provide our bodies with the proper
tools to insure optimum health. Alleviating chronic fatigue
is merely a side benefit of these principles!
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