Tag: EFA

Disagreeing on how to treat CFS patients

Comment on: Chronic fatigue syndrome. A fresh look at an old problem. [Can Fam Physician. 1993]

 

There are some unfortunate inaccuracies in the article “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.”‘ While the general information is useful in a very basic sense, two of the so-called “fresh look” items are inaccurate and misleading.

First, Dr McSherry suggests that “Oral magnesium supplements are indicated for CFS patients with subnormal red blood cell magnesium levels….” Presumably this recommendation comes from Dr McSherry’s reference to the study done by Cox et al. In this paper, red blood cell magnesium levels were found to be lower in patients diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) than in a matched normal group, and patients were found to improve with intramuscular injections of 50% magnesium sulphate (1 g in 2 mL) every week for 6 weeks. However, oral magnesium has not been tested for its effectiveness in patients with CFS. Dr McSherry’s recommendation to use oral magnesium is, therefore, inaccurate and misleading.

You can read the rest of this comment here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2379656/pdf/canfamphys00111-0026b.pdf

 

Source: Leyton E. Disagreeing on how to treat CFS patients. Can Fam Physician. 1993 May;39:1022-4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2379656/

 

Effect of high doses of essential fatty acids on the postviral fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

Sixty-three adults with the diagnosis of the postviral fatigue syndrome were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of essential fatty acid therapy. The patients had been ill for from one to three years after an apparently viral infection, suffering from severe fatigue, myalgia and a variety of psychiatric symptoms.

The preparation given contained linoleic, gamma-linolenic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids and either it, or the placebo, was given as 8 x 500 mg capsules per day over a 3-month period. The trial was parallel in design and patients were evaluated at entry, one month and three months. In consultation with the patient the doctors assessed overall condition, fatigue, myalgia, dizziness, poor concentration and depression on a 3-point scale. The essential fatty acid composition of their red cell membrane phospholipids was analysed at the first and last visits.

At 1 month, 74% of patients on active treatment and 23% of those on placebo assessed themselves as improved over the baseline, with the improvement being much greater in the former. At 3 months the corresponding figures were 85% and 17% (p less than 0.0001) since the placebo group had reverted towards the baseline state while those in the active group showed continued improvement.

The essential fatty acid levels were abnormal at the baseline and corrected by active treatment. There were no adverse events. We conclude that essential fatty acids provide a rational, safe and effective treatment for patients with the post-viral fatigue syndrome.

 

Source:  Behan PO, Behan WM, Horrobin D. Effect of high doses of essential fatty acids on the postviral fatigue syndrome. Acta Neurol Scand. 1990 Sep;82(3):209-16. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2270749

 

Post-viral fatigue syndrome, viral infections in atopic eczema, and essential fatty acids

Abstract:

Three clinical observations relating to viral infections are well-known but poorly understood. These are: the susceptibility of people with atopic eczema to viral infections; the occasional precipitation of an atopic syndrome by viral infections; the occurrence of a fatigue syndrome following viral infections.

A unifying hypothesis is presented which explains these observations in terms of the interactions between viral infections and essential fatty acid (EFA) metabolism. Key elements of the hypothesis are the facts that interferon requires 6-desaturated EFAs in order to exert its anti-viral effects, that people with atopic eczema have low levels of 6-desaturated EFAs, and that viruses, as part of their attack strategy, may reduce the ability of cells to make 6-desaturated EFAs.

The hypothesis has practical implications for the treatment of patients with viral infections.

 

Source: Horrobin DF. Post-viral fatigue syndrome, viral infections in atopic eczema, and essential fatty acids.  Med Hypotheses. 1990 Jul;32(3):211-7.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2204789