Have you recently been ill and though you’ve recovered from the acute symptoms, you still feel terrible, lacking energy and vitality?
It is possible there may be a lingering/post-viral load stressing your immune system. In clinic, patients present with a myriad of symptoms and no clear diagnosis, and so it is up to practitioners like myself, to do the detective work to find the cause as to why you have ‘never felt well since’ a preceding illness.
It is important to identify the underlying cause of such symptoms which may well be a latent viral infection e.g. shingles caused by Varicella zoster; glandular fever caused by Epstein Barr virus; Cytomegalovirus (CMV); coxsackie virus etc. There is a condition called ‘Post-viral fatigue syndrome’ (PVFS), which can occur following a viral infection. As a naturopath I refer to this scenario as ‘never well since’.
To ‘rub salt further into the wound’ such viruses can have a knock-on effect on hormones and thyroid function. I often find a virus stress combined with other stresses such as:
- EMF pollution
- Moulds and candida
- Heavy metal or chemical toxicity
- Chronic bacterial infections – such as borreliosis/Lyme disease
- Parasites – which may contribute to an iron deficiency
- Other Nutrient deficiencies – such as vitamin D, magnesium, L-carnitine and co-enzyme Q10 necessary for mitochondria function (cell energy)
- A current or past stress event/shock/trauma (psychoneuroimmunology)
- Problems with teeth
- The list goes on…….
Recovery from Post-viral fatigue
As a naturopath, I work to restore function by taking a thorough case history and looking for the underlying drivers. I determine system dysfunction and imbalances and work with the patient to improve function and restore good health.
Immune health starts in the gut, so start by taking probiotic supplements to replenish beneficial gut bacteria and repel pathogens. Garlic, ginger, and onions have natural antiseptic, antibiotic, and antiviral properties to control secondary infections: drink my lemon and garlic cocktail (many of my patients know what I am talking about!) or take enteric coated garlic tablets.
Zinc (found in red meat, chicken, fish, dairy, eggs, legumes, sunflower and pumpkin seeds) is critical to immune function, as are the major antioxidant vitamins, beta-carotene and vitamins C and E (found in colourful fruits and vegetables). In addition, taking Vitamin D3 4000 IU twice daily and immune boosting herbs (e.g. echinacea, astragalus, olive leaf) can also markedly improve recovery and provide additional immune support.
Levels of co-enzyme Q10 naturally start to decline from the age of 20 and taking supplements can improve fatigue. L-carnitine is another supplement worth considering, it is needed to transport fatty acids into the parts of the cells (mitochondria) that are responsible for burning them as fuel.
Are you ready to regain your health?
Book yourself in for a consultation today!