24 Apr What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
Feeling tired? You may have chronic fatigue.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is classified as fatigue that has been reoccurring for 6 months or greater that is not associated with a known disease process. It occurs with symptoms such as brain fog, impaired memory, joint pain, digestive problems, altered immune function, headaches, and swollen lymph nodes.
How is energy made in the body?
Energy is created in the body via organelles in the cells called mitochondria via two processes:
- Oxidative phosphorylation, and
- The electron transport chain.
If either of these are affected then the result will be fatigue.
What causes chronic fatigue?
There are multiple causes of chronic fatigue which include:
Nutrient deficiencies: In order for the mitochondria in cells to produce energy there are key nutrients required which include magnesium, ubiquinone (CoQ10), B vitamins, Lipoid acid and iron.
Dysfunction of energy production in cellular mitochondria and free radical damage within the body: They are intertwined. Free radicals damage the mitochondria, which are responsible for energy production and damaged mitochondria release components that drive inflammation. The damaged cells also have altered cell signalling which effect many different cell processes.
Ischemia: Lowered blood supply to tissues also means reduction in glucose and oxygen to cells resulting in fatigue.
Concomitant processes: Other factors that can contribute to CFS include hypothyroidism, dysbiosis, leaky gut syndrome, stress, low grade infection, prior illness, insulin resistance, toxins, obesity and metabolic X syndrome.
Untreated damaged mitochondria not only contribute to prolonged fatigue but also can trigger the immune system and contribute to immune dysfunction and autoimmune conditions.
At NatMed we have various analyses and tests to check for causes of fatigue including live blood analysis, urinary indican and organic acid testing. These tests show us which part of the energy cycle is dysfunctioning or what process is driving your fatigue. If ongoing fatigue is affecting you, know that here at NatMed we can help you to locate the cause of your fatigue and manage it so that you don’t have to struggle daily with low energy levels.
