What, no magic pill?

A few months ago, I read a book by Anthony William called Medical Medium which explores the use of food as a tool to help the body heal itself. It has changed the way I look at food, mainly the healing power of nutrient dense whole foods vs. the destructive power of processed, chemically laden non-nutritious ‘food’. For anyone suffering from an illness or malady, it couldn’t hurt to try, right?

Now, I’ve read many books, spent countless hours researching Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and have seen dozens of doctors in the 10 years since the onset of this illness and NONE have even come close to explaining EXACTLY the onset, progression and detail of CFS like described in Anthony’s book. The Chapter on Epstein Bar Virus could have been written about me.

Anyone struggling with what Anthony calls a ‘mystery illness’ would benefit from reading this book. If you’ve been given a label such as adrenal fatigue, fibromyalgia, CFS, multiple sclerosis, thyroid disorder, lupus, celiac disease, lyme disease, rheumatoid arthritis, migraines, depression, Candida, leaky gut syndrome, IBS, PTSD, shingles, you name it, could all be associated with one of the 60 strains of Epstein Bar Virus.

My doctor found elevated EBV levels when I was first sick after a terrible flu. The theory is that EBV is hiding in 95% of adults and waits until the immune system is run down to attack. i.e. bad cold/flu virus, car accident, emotional trauma like a death, pregnancy, anything to exhaust the body. Then it drills holes and hides in the organs like the liver, spleen or thyroid, multiplying, releasing toxic viral byproducts and neurotoxins at irregular intervals, confusing the immune system causing a continual inflammatory response (Lupus), exhausting the body further. Damages to the thyroid can cause Hashimoto’s, Graves, hypothyroidism, thyroid cancer etc. Many of the general symptoms EBV cause are moderate to extreme fatigue, mental fogginess, weight gain, impaired memory, muscle pain/weakness, neuropathy, ataxia, tinnitus, vertigo and many more depending on what strain of the virus you have.

*It is important to note that EBV can be active or dormant at any given time so if an EBV test does not come back positive, it might mean the virus is dormant at this time but no less harmful. Do not be discouraged!

I highly recommend reading Medical Medium if you or a family/friend are struggling with any of the illness’s listed above, or Type 2 diabetes, PMS, menopause, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder or autism. It explains, each mystery illness and suggestions on certain foods/supplements that can help restore the body enough to heal. Even if you aren’t suffering from anything (bless you super human!) incorporating some or all of the outlined foods, can only serve to prevent sickness and keep you running on Full.

I, like most of you, take everything with a grain of salt. I’m hopeful that fueling my body with the nutrients it needs will gradually restore it to optimal health, but is it an end all, be all cure? Who knows. Only time will tell. 

One thing I do know ~ there is no magic pill to cure these EBV caused illnesses. But Faith, patience, priority changes and humor will be my armor to fight until CFS is kicked to the curb for good.

As promised, I will be ending each blog with a healing, delicious recipe for you to enjoy!

                                                 Roasted Garlic & Beet Soup*

Ingredients:

• 3 medium beets (red or golden - both delcious!)
• 2 TBS olive oil, plus more for drizzlng
• 6 unpeeled garlic gloves (or more - love garlic!)
• 1 large leek
• 1 TSP fresh thyme leaves
• 1 bay leaf
• course salt and pepper
• 1/2 TBS lemon juice

Directions:

1. Heat over to 400 degrees. Drizzle beets with olive oil and roast in parchment lined foil until tender, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, drizzle garlic cloves (including shell) with oil and  roast in a separate foil packet, about 30 minutes. 

Beets and garlic roasting on same pan

2. Unwrap beets, let cool, peel and quarter. Squeeze garlic from skin. Set aside.

3. Heat 2 TBS olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add leak and cook, stirring, until       tender, 6-8 minutes. 

Chopped leeks

Add beets, garlic, thyme, bay leaf and 3 cups water. Season with salt and pepper.

4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer, 5 minutes. Discard bay leaf. Let cool slightly, then puree in a blender until smooth. Stir in lemon juice and add more salt/pepper to taste.

*recipe from Gluten Dairy Sugar Free Big Book of Recipes, by Michelle Deberge