As someone who has suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) for over two decades from the young age of 11 I have come to see that we need to use every tool at our disposal to help us manage chronic illness and live life to its fullest. Starting around 10 years ago a began flirting with various forms of meditation and eventually settled into regular practice of a form of meditative practice that involves the repetitive chanting of a mantra (word or phrase). Whether the mantra itself is important is up for debate as it seems to me at least that the rhythm of the chanting is the important aspect, leading the brain into a state of syncronisation, focus, and relaxation.

What I know for certain is that my practise of mantra meditation has empowered me to build and maintain The Environmental Illness Resource website, obtain a bachelor's degree in nutritional medicine, and enjoy a social life I had lost years earlier. I still have my limitations due to chronic fatigue syndrome but I am certain without my meditation practice I would not have achieved what I have. Meditation not only elevates mood, energy levels and motivation, it has the potential to change our entire outlook on life and the way we experience it...at least that has been my experience.

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Thanks to my younger sister Lindsay, who like me is a long-term chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) survivior, for pointing me in the direction of GcMAF; I am so busy with this website and other things at the moment that my time and energy reserves aren't stretching to as much research and general Googling as they did previously! Anyway, I have now taken a look at some information on GcMAF and feel it is worth sharing with fellow patients.

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By Jim Gates, CAFS

The indoor air quality of an office environment is very important to the health, comfort, well being, and productivity of every person who works there. Improved indoor air quality is also important to management, as a healthy working environment can lead to higher productivity and fewer lost work days.

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Newswise — Washington, DC (October 31, 2011) -- Many of the world’s preeminent gastroenterologists have convened this week for the American College of Gastroenterology's (ACG) 76th Annual Scientific Meeting at the Gaylord National Hotel and Conference Center at the National Harbor to review the latest scientific advances in gastrointestinal research, treatment of digestive diseases and clinical practice management.

Groundbreaking treatments such as fecal microbiota transplantation for serious gastrointestinal conditions like antibiotic-associated diarrhea and inflammatory bowel disease; innovative prevention strategies for a host of GI-related health conditions including hepatitis C and colorectal cancer; new insights on the relationship between adult irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and childhood trauma and the impact lifestyle factors like smoking and alcohol consumption have on digestive health, are among the highlights of this year’s scientific presentations.

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