GULF WAR SYNDROME in Orlando

CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME, GULF WAR SYNDROME
AND MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY

These three health problems are dealt with together here for several reasons. They are mutually connected to a combination of environmental exposure to toxins, inappropriate immunological response and genetic predisposition.
Because symptoms may be intermittent and vary from one person to another, many doctors are reluctant to offer firm clinical diagnoses, and these disease names and definitions have taken the medical community a long time to accept. Some small groups of physicians still feel these diseases are just various manifestations of a psychological disease.

      Multiple chemical sensitivity is an environmental disease in which the buildup of various toxins reaches a dangerous threshold with few or minor symptoms. Any additional toxicological load may be the last straw that triggers a cascade of symptoms, often mimicking other diseases. Such circumstances make clear diagnosis very difficult. The onus is on the patient to avoid further exposure. The health practitioner must suggest detoxification strategies. The use of glutathione-enhancing treatments will undoubtedly become standard in the future.

A recent article in the American Journal of Medicine by LR. Bell, C.M. Baldwin and G.E. Schwartz at the University of Arizona set out to summarize the relation of chronic fatigue syndrome to chemical sensitivity. They determined that severe chemical sensitivity is a factor in about one-fifth to one- half of chronic fatigue patients, and in about 5% of the American population. Between 15 and 30% of the general population report at least minor problems with chemical intolerances.

A paper entitled 'Gulf War Illnesses: complex medical, scientific and political paradox: published by the Institute for Molecular Medicine in California, also makes a link with chronic fatigue syndrome. There is a higher incidence of CFS
among Gulf War Veterans than in the general population. Since it may mimic other chronic multi-organ or immunological dysfunctions, there is danger of misdiagnosis and mistreatment.

Scientists at the Center for Environmental Hazards Research in New Jersey have determined that even when chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome are diagnosed among Gulf War Veterans, their symptoms differ substantially from the CFS and MCS diagnoses in the population at large. Discrepancies are found in immunological parameters,
demographics and prognosis.

A discussion of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also called chronic fatiguelimmune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS), would not be out of place in our chapter on immunology (Chapter 3). From a causal point of view, CFS is less of a toxicological problem and more typical of an immune disorder. It is best classified as a post-viral or post-infectious syndrome. The causal sequence often begins with an acute viral illness. This is usually followed by an overactive lymphatic response - swollen glands or lymph node enlargement (a symptom of "glandular fever"). For unknown reasons, some people develop an abnormal
immunological and neuro-endocrinological response. This inability to fight health threats combines with an imbalance in the body's hormonal secretions, then begins to produce the symptoms of CFS.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Atasol, others), Other pharmaceuticals (Adriamycin, etc.), Acetone (common solvent, cleaner, industrial agent), Aflatoxin BI (natural toxin, carcinogen from moldy nuts ete.), naphthalene (fuel, fuel by-products, etc.)                        Aliphatic hydrocarbons (vinyl chloride, hexachlorohexane, plastics etc.), Isothiocyanates Carbamates, thiocarbamates                  Aromatic hydrocarbons (solvents, fuels, brornobenzenes, chlorobezenes, etc.), Arylamines, arylhalides (industrial exposures, etc.), Nitrosamines (smoked foods, salami, hot dogs, etc.), Organophosphate pesticides (parathione, others),  Benzopyrenes (barbecued foods, fuel exhaust, cigarettes, erc.), Peroxides (lipid peroxides, cholesterol peroxides, others) Heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium, cobalt, copper, etc.)

                                   A short list of substances detoxifted by GSH conjugation; there are countless others

Rheumatologists have now better defined the syndrome to enable more accurate diagnosis. It is characterized by persistent fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, sleep disturbance and cognitive and psychological abnormalities. A clear test for CFS does not yet exist, but researchers are trying to elaborate the many subtle biochemical and physiological changes that take place. One such group is led by Dr. Paul Cheney, one of the first clinicians to describe the syndrome in the late 1980'S and early 90'S. Founder and director of the Cheney Clinic in North Carolina, his research is on the cutting edge of our understanding of chronic fatigue. He believes that although the initial event may be viral, it is subsequent abnormalities in protein synthesis and enzyme production that lead to liver and intracellular detoxification failure.

Dr. Cheney initially used oral glutathione or injectable glutathione and later the GSH precursor drug NAC (N-acetyl cysteine), all with modest success. When bioactive, undenatured whey protein became available, many patients responded with dramatic results.  Immunocal is a Patented Biologically Active Undenatured Whey Protein, scientifically proven to consistently raise Glutathione (GSH) levels and enhance the human immune system.

The well-recognized German immunochemist Dr. Wulf Droge has coined the term "Low CG Syndrome" to describe a number of disease states associated with a depletion of cysteine and glutathione. These include chronic fatigue syndrome, AIDS, certain cancers, sepsis, Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis, major trauma and others.

Case study

William, a lawyer from Alabama, noticed a change in his health at age 39.
His initial visits to a number of physicians were neither conclusive nor ac-
curate in their diagnoses, nor were any treatment options helpful. He was
unable to carryon his usual demanding workload and was forced to end
his law practice in 1994. His own research led him to a local CFS support
group. They suggested that he consult a prestigious south-eastern clinic
specializing in chronic fatigue. Initial treatment with vitamins, nutrients
and dietary changes proved minimally successful. The head of this clinic
was investigating the use of undenatured whey protein and after 12 weeks,
William's improvement was noticeable. Three months later, he woke up
one morning and 'felt well again." That day he picked up his golf clubs for
the first time in five years. Today he is shooting in the low 90S and will be
restarting his practice in the fall.

CONCLUSION

The number of toxins our bodies must deal with every day is truly remarkable. To cope with this burden a fit, rested, well-fed person must maintain adequate immunological and biochemical defenses. The role played by GSH in these defense systems cannot be overstated. Glutathione detoxifies a large number of pollutants, carcinogens, heavy metals, herbicides, pesticides and radiation. We are exposed every day to toxins like cigarette smoke, automobile exhaust, food preservatives and dental amalgam and our body depends on GSH for their removal. Substances that raise G S H levels are being used with increasing frequency in the field of toxicology with considerable success.

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