Reviews written by Maff

As a chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) sufferer of 20 years, it makes a lot of sense to me to include olive leaf extract in my regular supplement regime. It has proven activity against the herpes family of viruses, many of which (e.g. EBV, HHV-6) have been shown time and time again to be present and active in a large proportion of ME/CFS patients. In addition olive leaf extract is antibacterial and antifungal and as any ME/CFS sufferer will tell you, bacterial and fungal infections, particularly in the gut in the form of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and Candida/fungal overgrowth, are a common and stubborn complication of the immune dysfunction which we experience.

Olive leaf extract then is a great all-rounder that directly tackles all types of chronic infections that can be involved in chronic fatigue syndrome. On top of that it is a potent antioxidant (ME/CFS is associated with antioxidant depletion and oxidative stress) and is also much more affordable than many other supplements and medications, particularly antivirals and immunomodulators.

My own personal experience confirms to me that olive leaf extract is indeed effective against intestinal fungal and bacterial overgrowth, based on tell-tale die-off symptoms and repeat stool analyses. Its effect on viruses is harder to confirm and quantify. All I can say is that my illness began with a recurrent viral infection (glandular fever initially suspected) and I do experience an appreciable increase in energy and decrease in fatigue when taking olive leaf extract.

Supplements do vary widely in quality so it is best to look for those that state that they have been standardised to contain >15% oleuropein.

I have used clonazepam to help me get off to sleep and also for treating the symptoms of anxiety like restlessness, irritability, and muscle tension.

For sleep it is great as I often have great trouble falling asleep due to a racing mind at bed time. After taking 0.5mg of clonazepam in tablet form I am out like a light in 10-15 minutes. Due to clonazepam having a short half-life in the body the effects have worn off by the morning so I do not experience any residual drowsiness, which is great!

For anxiety it doesn't get the same thumbs up from me. It is just too potent. Even at a low dose of 0.5mg taken twice a day I feel noticeably drowsy. I don't like anxiety but I also don't want my consciousness to be impaired by a treatment. I have found diazepam, which is less potent but longer lasting and more even in its effects, to be a much better choice.

I have tried Pau D'Arco in various forms and would atest to its reported antifungal activity. As a result of the immune dysfunction associated with chronic fatigue syndrome I have for years struggled with intestinal bacterial and yeast overgrowth. Taking antifungals, both prescription drugs and natural alternatives, has always resulted in distinctive nervous system-related symptoms for me, including irritability, restlessness, and anxiety. I can only attribute these to a die-off, or Herxheimer, reaction.

In any event Pau D'Arco in its various forms has elicited this same set of symptoms in me very quickly with daily use so I would suggest that it would indeed be effective as an antifungal. Unfortunately, I am unable to tolerate it, or any other antifungal, for the prolonged periods my condition apparently requires.

I afeel I should mention that as a tea Pau D'Arco can kindly be referred to as an acquired taste. It is tree bark, and it basically tastes like tree bark. I'd opt for capsules or a liquid extract!

As a long-term chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) sufferer and having had adrenal stress index (ASI) results suggesting low morning cortisol was a possible explanation for my increasing difficulty waking up and getting going in the mornings, I decided to try a short trial of a licorice root supplement.

I took a modest dosage of 250mg/day of a supplement with glycyrrhizin content standardized to 20% for one week. The effect was rapid and pronounced. Within a couple of days I was waking up early, feeling full of energy. I found the sense of energy lasted throughout the day and the licorice altered my diurnal pattern so I was waking early and going to bed early, the opposite of what has become "normal" for me.

After a week I had come to appreciate the ability to wake up early in the morning and feel like I had the drive and energy to accomplish tasks throughout the day but it had become apparent that rather than genuinely having more energy I was actually feeling rather "wired". I found I couldn't switch off and relax even when not engaged in any stressful activities. It was as if my body constantly wanted me to be on the move.

After I stopped taking the licorice supplement the effects I would associate with increased cortisol (being able to wake early) gradually wore off but I have been left feeling I am incapable of relaxing. I also feel my heart is constantly pounding and have increased muscle tension in my neck and shoulders. It is now a number of years since I took the licorice but still these effects remain.

Based on my experience I would say that licorice may well benefit those suffering from ME/CFS and/or adrenal fatigue but is clearly very potent and should be used with caution and only under the guidance of a knowledgeable healthcare practitioner.

I recently had genomic testing which revealed I was homozygous for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in both the C677T and A1298C variants of the MTHFR gene. This basically means that my MTHFR enzyme is very inefficient in the way it converts other forms of folate to the vital 5-MTHF form. As such I decided to try 5-MTHF supplements to essentially "bypass" this genetic block and ensure my body had enough 5-MTHF available to put into the methylation cycle. Important since poor methylation has been associated with both chronic fatigue syndrome and depression from which I have suffered for 20 and 15 years respectively.

While in theory 5-MTHF is an essential supplement for me, in practice things didn't quite work out. I initially felt I was getting some benefit and experienced a minor "detox reaction" and brighter mood when supplementing at 500mcg/day. However it quite quickly became apparent that the 5-MTHF was causing significant digestive upset. My intestines felt very sore indeed and this subsided once I stopped taking the 5-MTHF. I have discovered that all methyl donors (TMG, SAMe etc) cause the same reaction. I have read that digestive upset is common with SAMe supplements but nothing about this with 5-MTHF or TMG so I am unsure whether others will experience the same problems with 5-MTHF or not.

For those suffering from ME/CFS, depression, autism, or other illnesses in which methylation cycle deficits have been identified, and particularly those who know they have SNPs in MTHFR, a 5-MTHF supplement may very well help and therefore be worth a try. Just be aware of your 'gut reaction'!

First of all it is worth pointing out that despite the title, this book will be of great use to not only parents looking into biomedical treatment for their autistic children, but also adults suffering from multi-system (or environmental) illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia or multilple chemical sensitivity (MCS).

Dr. Amy Yasko has pioneered the use of nutrigenomics in these conditions (and others). Nutrigenomics is the individualised use of nutritional supplements to treat illness based on the patient's unique genetic weaknesses.

As a ME/CFS sufferer I bought this book to help me make more sense of tests I had recently that detected a number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) which reduce the activity of key enzymes in the methylation cycle (e.g. MTHFR & MTRR - both homozygous). The methylation cycle is vital for numerous processes in the body including detoxification and the synthesis of neurotransmitters and genetic material (DNA & RNA). Methylation deficits have been found to be common in many illnesses, including those mentioned above.

The biochemistry involved can seem complex but Dr. Yasko's book takes us step by step through how each genetic variation affects the methylation cycle and the specific nutrients required to bypass genetic 'road blocks' and restore the body's ability to efficiently perform methylation reactions. For example, I have the least efficient variantion of the genes for the MTHFR enzyme which converts folic acid to it's biologically active form 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF). Autism: Pathways to Recovery explains that by supplementing with 5-MTHF directly, rather than using folic acid or folinic acid, this poorly functioning enzyme can be bypassed and the methylation cycle supplied with sufficient amounts of 5-MTHF to run efficiently.

The book includes explanations and recommendations for all of the genes that are involved in the methylation cycle, as well as some involved in interconnected biochemical pathways (e.g. nitric oxide synthase, NOS) and provides clear diagrams that are essential for the average reader to be able to make sense of how all the various genes, enzymes and biochemicals relate to each other.

Dr. Yasko and others have had much success treating patients using the methods described in this book and many individuals suffering from ME/CFS, fibromyalgia and related conditions report improvements when they address methylation issues themselves.

The genomic testing for SNPs described in the book is now widely available from commercial labs and are often ordered by environmental/functional medicine physicians. Despite the relatively high price of this book $50, I would highly recommend it to help you decipher your own genomic testing (of that of your child), or if you simply want to learn more about the role poor methylation may be playing in your chronic illness.

As a result of IBS and contributing gut issues including small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and fungal overgrowth, I have suffered for many years from poor bile flow and poor digestion and absorption of fats. A classic indicator being an 'oil slick' on the toilet water after bowel movements. This has also been confirmed by a number of stool analyses however.

In an effort to help the situation I have tried various dietary changes and supplements and have given bile acid formulas a good go on more than one occasion. I notice a modest improvement in fat digestion and absorption but signs and symptoms still persist. Many people report finding bile supplements very helpful but in my case I derive much greater benefit from herbs that stimulate bile production by the liver (choleretics) and its secretion from the gallbladder(cholagogues). These herbs include dandelion, artichoke, Chinese bitters and Tribulus terrestris. For me these herbs improve fat metabolism, reduce abdominal discomfort and produce a healthier coloured stool. Also, these herbs are generally cheaper than bile supplements.

I have given GABA powder a few tries over recent years in an effort to reduce symptoms of anxiety and improve sleep. While I experience very noticeable effects when taking GABA, it is rather like I have been numbed to the anxious feelings and muscle tension, rather than them being reduced directly. GABA supplements are certainly fast acting but the flipside is that any beneficial effects tend to wear off within a few hours. Having taken benzodiazepine drugs on and off I am able to make a direct comparison and GABA is much less potent. Of course, there is not the risk of dependence as there is with the 'benzos'.

Since GABA is relatively cheap and does xert beneficial, although shortlived effects, I have often combined it with other calming nutrients and herbs and this is an approach that seems to be pretty effective, at least in my case.

I have only noted side effects with GABA when taking very high dosages and these have been limited to mild nausea and a spaced out sensation. Moderate dosages have been no problem.

Although certainly no miracle cure, GABA supplements may be of some benefit and thus worth a trial.

Qi Gong for Beginners is summed up very well by the text from the back cover above. Despite being written by an academic it maintains a clear focus on those new to qi gong and Eastern spiritual and energy medicine practices as a whole. As such it is makes for an easy read when the subject matter could easily have led the author to overcomplicate things.

The first section of the book is dedicated to explaining the basics of Eastern philosophy such as qi/chi and the opposing yet complementary forces of yin and yang required to understand the basis for how qi gong works.

The author then goes on to describe the history of qi gong and the particular form of the practice known as Pal Dan Gum on which the book focuses. The importance of deep breathing is explained clearly and concisely and the differences between qi gong and traditional Western exercise are discussed - essentially providing the reader with the knowledge that qi gong actually increases energy levels as opposed to traditional exercise such as running or cycling which do the opposite.

The final section of the book is what really makes this so perfect for the beginner however as it is composed of clear instructions for the eight exercise sequences that make up Pal Dan Gum qi gong. The instructions are accompanied by extremely clear photos and drawings that make learning qi gong at home acheiveable by anyone in a very short time.

It took me a week of daily practice to have all eight exercises memorised and I was soon completing them within 10 minutes. As for the benefits of the practice of qi gong as taught by this book - I noticed them from the very first attempt I made at the exercises. A feeling of being energised, of lightness, and a lifting of my mood. I have continued to see increasing benefits over the past couple of months and can't see myself ever giving up on this quick, simple, and highly beneficial daily practice. I would recommend this book to anyone who wishes to enhance their health and general well-being with minimal time or effort.

I was first introduced to the oriental practices of qi/chi manipulation that include qi gong, t'ai chi and various martial arts many years ago after being taken to a group session by a family friend. I was feeling truly dreadful at the time and not leaving the house much at all but I remember leaving the session feeling strangely uplifted and energised.

At the time I didn't appreciate the potential long term benefits for health and well-being of what I had been introduced to but went on to be introduced to a form of meditation that suits me perfectly and have reaped similar benefits from this over the past 7 years. It seems some higher power really wants me to have these spiritual practices in my life!

Recently having read more about the benefits of gi gong I decided it was time I made it part of my daily routine so I purchased a couple of books on the subject. I then began learning a form of gi gong known as Pal Dan Gum from the book 'Qi Gong For Beginners' by Stanley D. Wilson, Ph.D. Incidentally this is a great book with clear instructions and photos that makes learning the movements that make up Pal Gum Gum very easy.

After only a week I was doing the gi qong routine from memory and feeling great. From the first few attempts I already felt similarly uplifted and energised as I had all those years ago. Over the past 3 months I have been practicing the routine daily and these beneficial feelings have only grown. After completing the sequence of movements I feel full of energy and much brighter in mood which helps motivate me and make me more productive as well as generally making me feel better and reducing my ever-present symptoms of fatigue, low mood, difficulty concentrating and focusing etc. I feel, just as with meditation, the benefits will only grow as I continue to practice qi gong regularly.

Given how easy it was to learn this form of gi gong and how quickly I felt the benefits, along with the fact it only takes 15-20 minutes per day, I would recommend qi gong to all EI sufferers. The movements are very simple as it is their combination with deep breathing that improves the flow of qi so even those with pain and some degree of immobility can still benefit.