www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science...d-by-scientists.html

Fantastic news if it finally leads to a test that will help with early diagnosis of this disease. As a sufferer of over 20 years I know from experience that had I been diagnosed early in my illness with a verified biochemical test and the elevated cytokine levels had been treated - my condition would not have deteriorated and become far harder to manage and treat. Early, definitive diagnosis is the key to giving those of us unlucky enough to develop ME / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome a better prognosis - a fighting chance at least.Hopefully this study will be the one that makes the world wake up and we'll get more funding, more research and finally some effective treatments!

I would echo your points exactly MysteryEiR! Having developed ME/CFS aged 10/11 years old I recognise the shift from the high cytokine 'flu-like' symptoms in the first 3 or 4 years to a more burnt out phase that has become the norm for the ensuing 20 years. These researchers are really onto something and like you said, if people are diagnosed early and their immune systems can be treated to maintain normal functioning, I suspect the disease would not advance and the immune system would not become exhausted. If only we could turn back the clock but this study gives me hope that others won't have to go through what we have in the future with this horrible illness.

I wonder how this would fit in with Ashok Gupta's success using brain retraining for ME ? (he developed it for ME as he suffered from it). Any ideas?

I think it fits in very well Jodie and explains why The Gupta Programme appears to be beneficial for many people suffering from ME / chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Columbia University study found in the early stages of the illness (3 years or so) the immune system is constantly activated. This involves signaling chemicals such as the cytokines interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) - all of which are pro-inflammatory. Elevated levels induce an immune response and symptoms akin to the flu and cause people to exhibit so-called 'sickness behaviour' e.g. the desire to rest/sleep, lethargy and impaired cognitive function - all of which are key symptoms of ME/CFS.

Previous studies have found these cytokines to be elevated in patients and also that many of the techniques included in Ashok Gupta's recommendations can actually lower them and reduce the severity of chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms. The techniques include a lot of Eastern techniques like yoga, tai chi and meditation. I've never personally used The Gupta Programme but his website and written materials list these among the components that make up his approach to treatment of ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, MCS and related invisible illnesses.

I actually wrote an essay on much of the above during my nutritional medicine degree and the studies were small but the results were very encouraging both in effects on immune markers and symptom relief. The essay is titled The Influence of Mind Body Therapies on the Symptoms and Pathophysiology of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and I published it here if you're interested in reading more.

hmm so yoga and/or meditation/relaxation an hour or two a day would be sufficient I would guess. Gupta's course includes a lot of meditation and relaxation. I'm just not sure the rest was really needed - a lot of procedures you had to go thru any time a 'negative ' thought entered your head, any time of the day or night.