There are millions of people who suffer from multiple chronic and disabling symptoms. Their physical examinations and laboratory testing are all normal. This syndrome usually follows a medical illness. It manifests after recovering from an infectious disease, surgery, trauma, injury, stroke, heart attack, or a flare-up of another chronic condition, like Crohn’s Disease.
After researching the internet, many patients with this syndrome believe their affliction is Chronic Lyme DIsease. There are many websites promoting this diagnosis. These individuals have a consistent medical history, possibly a positive blood test, and maybe even a favorable response to antibiotic therapy. Lyme websites give credence to these clues proving the diagnosis. Patients then seek treatment for this condition. I do not believe they are suffering from active Lyme DIsease. They are victims of a post-disease disability.
This malady has many names. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Immune Deficiency Disorder, Chronic Lyme Disease Syndrome, FIbromyalgia, Post-COVID-19 Long Haul, and Candida are some. All of these are the same problem with similar symptoms. Their affliction is an unnamed entity which I call the “After-Illness.”
Prolonged discomfort and infirmity breed depression, although psychological problems are not the primary issue. The impact is to add to the misery. Medicines may help a little, but do nothing to improve the “After-Illness.”
Terming a post-disease syndrome as an “After-Illness” appropriately brings together the thread of similarities in this condition. This condition stems from a state of overall impaired health. Internal mineral and vitamin insufficiencies cause cellular malfunction and incompetence. This lays the foundation for the birth of the “After-Illness” affliction. A state of depleted and, therefore, inadequate quantities of the substances needed to maintain proper and effective cellular function predisposes to disease following even minor “shocks” to the system. A cell operating at borderline capacity will not be capable of resisting the onset and progression of chronic “After-Illness” symptoms.
The most studied malady of micronutrient insufficiency is osteoporosis. The lessons learned from investigating this condition illustrate that calcium depletes in bone while the serum level is maintained. Importantly, the blood calcium level is independent of the bone quantity. One cannot be used to evaluate the other.
Osteoporosis is a model of the natural history of intracellular micronutrients: vitamins and minerals decrease in cells, making them susceptible to malfunction and disease. Bone Density imaging allows easy assessment of the tissue level of calcium. No other tissue micronutrient level can be so readily quantified. Blood levels of calcium do not reflect tissue composition. (See “Micronutrients to Enhance Health and Resist COVID-19,” my April 23, 2020 blog)
[Human metabolism is governed by a limited number of patterns. An economy of evolution is that basic functional and anatomic patterns are reproduced throughout the animal kingdom. One of these patterns is the characteristics of vitamin and mineral usage as illustrated by the osteoporosis pattern. Once developed, it replicates itself. The metabolic processes in all tissues are similar. Such conformity is observed throughout many species.
[My clinical success in treating patients using high doses of these supplements reinforces the concept that the pattern described by Osteoporosis extends to all the micronutrients. Ideally, investigations that quantify tissue levels – which would require muscle biopsies – would yield definitive answers. Such a study is unlikely because of the certainty of complications resulting from biopsies. Hence, the use of patterns as a method to understand micronutrient behavior and needs.]
This nutrient drainage in the tissues is accelerated by any illness or trauma in life. Inadequate levels of these substances in cells makes them – and by extension the organs and YOU – prone to the “After-Illness.” (Although not the specific topic of this blog, these deficiencies also contribute to the aging process.)
To prevent the depleted bone calcium of osteoporosis, a person at risk should take vitamin and mineral supplements beginning in the early teen years. The same advice applies to the entire range of micronutrients. At least start this augmentation program as soon as possible. It is never too late.
Acute illness exhausts the defensive and reparative resources of the cells. When coupled with naturally occurring cellular deterioration, reduced vitality of the organs results. The stage is then set for the chronic “After-Illness” syndrome to appear and expand. Fatigue, pain, itching, cognitive problems, respiratory difficulties, depression, pain, and other symptoms characterize this condition.
Prevention is the key. Set a goal to slow the deterioration of the aging process. Vitamin and mineral supplements, ideally taken in high doses over decades, adds vigor and disease resistance. You can begin to correct imbalances now. In treating the afflictions of the “After-Illness,” a six-a-day multivitamin/multimineral supplement gave great and lasting benefit to my patients.* The brand I used in practice was “Basic Preventive 5” distributed by Douglas Laboratories. There are many equivalent brands available.
From the time we are born, our health is under attack. We don’t really notice this because the building process is ascendent. Around age 29, the deterioration starts to become more effective than the growth. The former accelerates while the latter decelerates. Life is a stressful experience that diminishes our reserves. Supporting and maintaining micronutrient levels slows the decline, preserving disease resistance.
“After-Illness” is common and it can be persistent and devastating. Acute illness triggers this chronic syndrome. The body is being assaulted at the same time its defenses are impaired. Healthy lifestyle habits that avoid sickness is half of prevention. The other half is the long term support of disease resistance.
*Do not take 6 of a once-a-day pill. This could cause Vitamin A toxicity. Follow the instructions on the supplement container.
Health and Spirit by Dr. Jack Zoldan 