Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Real?

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a very real condition for the many people who suffer from it. However, there has long been a belief in the medical community that chronic fatigue syndrome is just all in the head -- a psychosomatic condition. Mind rules the body, and if you feel tired all the time, it's a problem within your psyche, not in your body.

However, a new study might put the psychosomatic theory to rest. The study has not yet been published, adding to the controversy of this mysterious health issue. The study from the National Institutes of Health, which has been completed and peer-reviewed, discovered a high correlation between those with chronic fatigue syndrome and a retrovirus called XMRV. This stemmed from a previous study from Science, a journal that published a study showing that blood samples from 101 chronic fatigue patients had the retrovirus, compared to less than 4% of 218 healthy patients.

Last month, the AABB (American Association of Blood Banks) recommended against donations from those who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome due to concerns with the XMRV retrovirus and transmission. However, testing for XMRV is not yet standardized, and the same drug treatments for XMRV--antiretrovirals-- are also used for HIV, which have shown to offer relief for some patients.

Sufferers are upset with the lack of results from both doctors and researchers. Now, with the study from the National Institutes of Health being delayed by the FDA, their frustration has only become exacerbated . Dr. Harvey Atler, the author of the study, states, "My colleagues and I are conducting additional experiments to ensure that the data are accurate and complete."

To boost the body's natural immune function and improve overall vitality, I recommend medicinal mushrooms, especially a synergistic blend of specific mushrooms that can help improve overall health and feelings of lethargy. I also recommend daily exercise, restful sleep, plenty of fruits and vegetables, and eight glasses of fresh, clean water every day.