Healthy Healing: CFS Diet Plan

Healthy Healing: CFS Diet

 

You have probably heard the cliché "You are what you eat". Diet effects not only CFS patients, but everyone. Processed foods cause a burst of energy from sugar surges, followed by drowsiness and fatigue. I'm sure you can recall the tired, full feeling after a large meal of Chinese takeout. Although a great sleep remedy, Chinese food does not provide the body with the sufficient nutrients needed for energy conversions. Nutritious foods are specifically important in a CFS patient's diet. A healthy diet helps eliminate fatigue by producing natural energy that lasts all day. The first step to eliminate fatigue is to develop a healthy diet plan including nutrient rich organic foods and avoiding processed foods.


Foods to Avoid

It is important to avoid processed carbohydrates, such as the sugar or white flour found in white bread, crackers, cakes, cookies, and soda. Kent Holtorf, MD, a board-certified endocrinologist reported, “Sugar has multiple detrimental effects in CFS patients. It suppresses the immune system, increases inflammation, and stimulates yeast overgrowth in the intestines,” But that's not all... Sugar also causes a rapid rise in blood sugar, known as hypoglycemia. This causes symptoms of anxiety, fatigue, and even sugar cravings. Sugar tastes so good but feels so bad.

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Healthy Foods

CFS patients should develop a diet plan based on a low-carb diet of organic and unprocessed foods. John Salerno, MD, specialized on CFS and states that this diet improves CFS symptoms. Some foods that are tolerated well by CFS patients are wild-caught fish, grass-fed meats, organic vegetables and eggs, and full-fat cheeses. To satisfy the sweet senses, add dark colored fruit like berries. 

In addition, increasing salt, water, and protein intake is also recommended. Some CFS patients become dehydrated by inadequate adrenal hormone levels and need to increase their salt and water intake. Consuming more proteins tend to help stabilize blood sugar and prevent hypoglycemia. 

So, next time you order Chinese take out, remember that input equals output. Even people without CFS should consider a healthy diet plan. Eating right is the first step to living healthy and feeling healthy and full of natural energy. Before taking prescription medications, CFS patients should try a low-carb diet to eliminate fatigue. Don't let unhealthy food stand in the way of living your life.

 



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Resource:

 

Myers, Wyatt, MD. "Fighting Chronic Fatigue Syndrome With a Natural Energy Diet." EverydayHealth.com. N.p., 4 Mar. 2010. Web. 29 Nov. 2014. Retrieved from: http://www.everydayhealth.com/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/healthy-diet.aspx

 

 

Living and Managing Life With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Managing CFS

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Managing CFS can be as difficult as diagnosing CFS. There is no cure, no prescription drugs specifically for CFS, and symptoms vary greatly among patients. To manage this syndrome, communication with the doctor and monitoring one's health is very important. Notified the doctor of any change in health. In turn, the doctor should alter treatment strategies accordingly. If adequate communication between the patient and doctor exist, together they can design the best treatment program for the patient. The program should consists of a combination of therapies that address coping techniques, symptoms, and managing daily activities. A team of doctors and other medical professionals may benefit the patient, as CFS has an array of diverse symptoms. This team may include rehabilitation specialists, mental health professionals, and physical or exercise therapists. Relief of the patient's symptoms is the main goal of the program.

 

Living With CFS
Living with CFS can be very difficult and frustrating as the patient learns to cope with new life styles based around monitoring and suppressing unpredictable symptoms. Coping with inefficient stamina and memory and concentration problems effect work, school, and daily life. Stressed relationships cause anxiety, anger, and worry. In some cases, patients must learn to rely on other, losing their independence, livelihood, and economic security. Additional stress cause symptoms to worsen. The faster patients cope with these daily life changes, the sooner they will find relief.

Take Action
To begin managing CFS, doctors recommend to treat the most disruptive symptoms first, including pain, sleep deprivation, dizziness, depression, and memory and concentration problems. Patients' over the counter use of medicines are closely monitored. Developing activity programs allow patients to return to their daily lives. To avoid over exhaustion, councilors and therapist help develop a limitation plan to help patients realize when to stop or take breaks. Most importantly, Cognitive behavioral therapy, professional counseling, and support groups help patients improve their health and over all quality of life. Learning to manage these aspects can vastly improve the lives of patients with CFS. There may not be a cure, but there is a way to improve CFS symptoms. The patient can control CFS instead of CFS controlling the patient.

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Resource
"Management of CFS." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14 May 2012. Web. 23 Nov. 2014. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/management/

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