Chronic Fatigue Responds to Antioxidants
Many researchers have investigated effective treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), but Martin Pall, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Basic Medical Sciences at Washington State University, and author of Explaining “Unexplained Illnesses”, is the first to suggest a plausible underlying cause and therapeutic method of treatment. Pall, who came down with a severe case of CFS in 1997 and fully recovered in 18 months, has dedicated the rest of his career to understanding and treating these illnesses.
Pall has discovered that abnormal levels of nitric oxide (NO), high levels of peroxynitrite (ONOO-) and superoxide activate the disabling and widely varying symptoms that characterise this entire group of unexplained illness. The fundamental approach: reducing NO-related free radical activity.
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Mechanism for the Success of Sauna Therapy in the Treatment of MCS
A recent paper on sauna therapy by Dr. Martin L. Pall argues for a novel mechanism for its mode of action (1). Pall argues that sauna therapy acts primarily by increasing the availability of a compound called tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) in the body. BH4 is reported or thought to be depleted in a number of medical conditions that are also reported to respond positively to sauna therapy, including multiple chemical sensitivity, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, hypertension, vascular endothelial dysfunction and heart failure. This pattern of action can be explained, therefore, if sauna therapy increases the availability in the body of BH4.
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity – Mechanisms Explained – Free Review
Prof Martin Pall of Washington State University has been exploring the biochmical mechanisms behind the complex illness known as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.
He states: Cases of multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) are reported to be initiated by seven classes of chemicals. Each of the seven acts along a specific pathway, indirectly producing increases in NMDA (A brain receptor activated by the amino acid glutamate, which when excessively stimulated may cause cognitive defects. Also called N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor.) activity in the mammalian body. Members of each of these seven classes have their toxicant responses lowered by NMDA antagonists, showing that the NMDA response is important for the toxic actions of these chemicals. The role of these chemicals acting as toxicants, in initiating cases of MCS has been confirmed by genetic evidence showing that six genes that influence the metabolism of these chemicals, all influence susceptibility to MCS. It is likely that chemicals act along these same pathways, leading to increased NMDA activity when they trigger sensitivity responses in MCS patients.
Read the full free Review Paper for further clarification:
The immune system is prone to the same grave misfortunes as any defense system handling weapons: collateral damage that comes with the destruction of the enemy on one’s own territory and friendly fire due to mistaken identity. Whereas the collateral damage is the price we pay for clearance of infections, autoimmunity is a pathological process. Nevertheless, the effector mechanisms involved in both processes are the same. Whether environment can be a cause, a trigger or an amplifier of an autoimmune disease are questions that are being intensively investigated.
