Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is an illness of extreme fatigue that may affect over 800,000 American adults and can lead to extremely debilitating symptoms in some individuals. A diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is usually given after all other tests have failed to produce a measurable or quantifiable problem. Most often the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferer arrives with the chief symptom of unexplained, persistent or relapsing fatigue that is not due to ongoing exertion, is not substantially alleviated by rest and has been present for six months or more. Many Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients notice that the ever present fatigue results in a reduction of their previous levels of occupational, education, and/or personal activities.

The extreme fatigue of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is most often accompanied by four or more of the following symptoms¹: impaired short-term memory or concentration, tender lymph nodes in neck and under arms, multi-joint pain without swelling or redness, unable to recover well after exercising, sore throat, muscle pain, headaches and unrefreshing sleep. Additionally, it is thought that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome may also result in immune system dysfunction and psychological depression².

The exact cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is not clear. However, it is commonly thought to have some relationship to one or possibly more of the following: chronic and reactivated viral infections, toxic exposure, chemical and food sensitivities, stress and nutritional deficiencies.

Many practitioners and researchers are currently honing in on the possibility that nutrition and diet can help decrease symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The major focus is on eight essential sugars, known as glyconutrients. If symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are evaluated in the proper context, it will be noted that most have a common component broken or missing glycoproteins.

Glycoproteins lie on the surface of cell membranes and are used in the body as a means of recognition "Hi, I'm part of you, don't attack me!", and as a means of communication, "Hey, stop spitting those chemicals at me, don't you see I belong here?", or even "Yoh, this cell needs some Vitamin C". When these signaling molecules don't function correctly the body breaks down. Glycoproteins may be missing from the cell surface or be malformed simply due to a lack of raw materials for their construction. The raw materials of glycoproteins are called glyconutrients, which are found in small quantities is many of our foods.

Without the proper raw materials, such as the very essential glyconutrients, the body can't function optimally. When not in optimal condition many things begin to wear down -

• Neurotransmitters fail to function properly - this can result in problems with serotonin levels and eventually lead to unrestful sleep².
• The immune system slows and weakens - the body is less able to fight off viral and bacterial infection (which may be a possible cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)².
• Inflammation and pain appear, also a problem showing up when the proper glycoforms are not present².

Many of the symptoms associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can be traced back to a lack of the essential glyconutrients that the body needs on a regular basis. The real possibility exists that by supplying the body with the required glyconutrients many of the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome may be alleviated.

1.Jason, L.A., Taylor, R.R. & Stepanek, Z. (2001). Attitudes regarding chronic fatigue syndrome: the importance of a name. Journal of Health Psychology 6(1):61-71.

2. GLYCONUTRITIONAL IMPLICATIONS IN FIBROMYALGIA AND CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME.
Author(s): Tom Gardiner, Ph.D.