CFS is a neurological disorder which affects individuals differently. Though sufferers will experience unique symptoms to their situation, CFS is often characterised by muscle fatigue, cognitive dysfunction and post-exertional malaise. When used correctly, the term ‘chronic fatigue syndrome’ describes someone who has dealt with a disabling fatigue which has persisted for more than six months. In some cases CFS can be a side effect of addition illness such as depression or an autoimmune disorder.
There are many ways in which nutritional therapy can help minimise the symptoms of CFS:
Food intolerances: Some experts believe that CFS is linked to the immune system and it is also common for sufferers to believe certain foods worsen their symptoms. It can therefore be useful to identify whether you are intolerant to a specific food or not by following a food elimination diet. A nutritional therapist can help you do this.
Food accessibility and preparation: CFS can make it extremely difficult to carry out the tasks many of us take for granted such as leaving the house to buy food or even being in the kitchen, preparing a meal. A nutritionist can help a CFS sufferer with meal planning and accessibility and offer advice to make it as easy as possible for them to maintain a healthy diet.
Changes in weight: Often, sufferers of CFS will gain weight because of much reduced physical activity. Because of this reduced activity level, a nutritional and balanced diet is vital. In other cases, CFS sufferers can also experience weight loss, due to reduced appetite, nausea, or through avoidance of preparing foods because of the exhausting nature of the task. A nutritionist can help advise a plan to ensure that CFS sufferers experiencing this difficulty eat frequent, small meals and healthy snacks that can be prepared with little effort.
