EiR Blog

Apologies to readers who might have already read about this story. The UK Mail on Sunday (February 13th 2011) carries an article by Esther Rantzen on her daughter who has ME. UK viewers will know Esther from such classic TV programmes such as That's Life. In recent years she has discussed ME as a consequence of her daughter's diagnosis. The article in the Mail regarding a possible link between ingestion of gluten and ME/CFS can be viewed here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1356316/At-I-discovered-secret-Emilys-14-lost-years-Esther-Rantzen.html Many thanks, ESPA Research ...

I thought for my main blog entry this week I'd discuss a subject that has for the past 10 years or so had a major impact on my ability to cope with daily life and plan for events in the future - the daily and seasonal fluctuations in the appearance and severity of my symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, environmental illness, and related conditions. I'll also talk about what I have done to adapt and minimise their impact.   Daily Fluctuations First I ought to explain that the body varies its biological processes such as hormone production throughout the day and night to allow for periods of activity and rest (i.e sleep) and this is known as the circadian rhythm. For example in the morning secretion of the adrenal hormone cortisol increases, as does activity of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, and this makes us feel awake and full of energy so we're prepared to...

Continuing with my blog series aimed at helping you decipher the results of a comprehensive digestive stool analysis (CDSA), this week I will describe the various "metabolic markers" that might be referred to on your test results. n-Butyrate This short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) is produced as a result of the fermentation of dietary fibre, particularly gums and pectins, by certain bacteria that inhabit the intestines (particularly probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacilli and Bifodobacteria species). An n-butyrate level within the reference range is first and foremost then, an indicator that such health promoting bacteria are present in sufficient amounts. A low n-butyrate level in this respect may indicate a deficiency of beneficial bacteria while a high level suggests a general bacterial overgrowth caused by factors such as low stomach acid or high carbohydrate/fibre diets. In the former case probiotic supplements may be required while in the latter antibiotic therapy, whether drug-based...

Last week I blogged about how the two phases of liver detoxification can get out of balance due to chronic exposure to toxins, for example, and how this can impact on a person's health. As discussed, the most common problem is that phase 1 speeds up and phase 2 cannot keep up - someone in this situation is known as a pathological detoxifier because of their increased risk for symptoms and disease. The previous blogs with more detailed information can be found at: Pathological Detoxifiers and Environmental Illness Detoxification Profile Results - The Pathological Detoxifier and Chronic Illness   Now I want to take a look at foods and supplements that pathological detoxifiers can use to balance their liver detoxification pathways and improve their health. Essentially what we want to do is slow down phase 1 while speeding up phase 2. There are many foods and supplements that can help. One...

The Wellness Revolution (Wiley, 2002) was the “shot heard round the world” for the wellness industry. It defined wellness as an industry—linking hundreds of thousands of disparate service and product suppliers with a single cause. It showed like-minded scientists, fitness providers, businesspeople, food manufacturers, restaurant owners, wellness product distributors, doctors, and others focused on disease prevention and antiaging that they were part of a worldwide revolution—not just lone iconoclasts inside their chosen profession or industry. If you are an entrepreneur, or are considering becoming one in wellness, there has never been a better time in history to start a home-based direct selling business. This paradigm shift towards entrepreneurship is the only answer to America's Economic Crisis. On June 27, 2009 at the Health Care Organizing Kickoff event we plan to officially Launch an Academy of Social Entrepreneurship. The Academy will provide the tools and resources necessary to empower our communities...

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a very common problem and cause of symptoms in those with environmental illness. Blood sugar levels are usually carefully controlled by the hypothalamus in the brain (a major control centre) which through a series of steps causes the release of two hormones from the pancreas; insulin, which lowers blood sugar by increasing uptake by cells, and glucagon, which increases blood sugar by releasing stored glucose (as glycogen) in the liver and increasing the generation of new glucose from substances such as amino acids (the building blocks of protein). Unfortunately for those of us who experience hypoglycemia this intricate system of balance is disrupted so blood sugar levels vary more than they should and often dip too low. It is well known in chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) for example that the hypothalamus which controls the whole system does not function correctly. This results in hypoglycemia and a whole host of...

Last week I finally started studying for a bachelor's degree, 10 years after I would have done so if I hadn't been ill.

I am happy to report that I have now moved past feeling anger towards my situation and instead am glad my life has turned out the way it has thus far. I now have a new purpose in life that started with the founding of The Environmental Illness Resource and now continues