CFS Research by Dr. Luc DeShepper

Flora Balance: Its Role in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

from the Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients, June 1990

Luc De Schepper, M.D., Ph.D.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or Chronic Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) is an accepted clinical entity characterized by debilitating fatigue, memory and concentration difficulties; gastrointestinal disturbances such as constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain; PMS; food and environmental sensitivities; mood swings and depression; and muscle and joint pains. Clinical and laboratory studies suggest an association with an overgrowth of Candida Albicans, Herpes Simplex Viruses and parasites.

A new intestinal flora product called Flora Balance has shown significant effectiveness in improving, and in many cases, in elimination all the gastrointestinal symptoms, food sensitivities and enhancing the patient's digestive capacities.

Introduction

Since 1983, a clinical syndrome characterized by severe, debilitating fatigue has aroused increasing interest. This clinical entity has been named Chronic Epstein-Barr Virus, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and recently, Chronic Immune Dysfunction Syndrome. These names suggest a viral origin. After treatment of over 2,000 patients with this clinical picture, it is my conviction that the root of the problem is a depression of the immune system due to various factors including heredity, food, environmental, and emotional makeup. Secondarily, Candida Albicans and viruses such as Herpes Simplex, as well as parasites such as Entamoeba Histolytica and Giardia Lamblia, multiply, further taxing and suppressing the immune system.

Findings in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

These are my experiences with a group of about 1500 patients treated in my clinic over the last five years. The average is 35 years, with age of onset between 7 months and 78 years. The main initial symptom is extreme fatigue. Most patients are in excellent condition until they experience a sudden attack of "flu-like" symptoms including low-grade fever, sore throat, and muscle and joint pains. Usually patients never fully recover from this illness, and the attacks of symptoms recur in a "roller coaster" fashion until they are constantly present. Patients often state that these symptoms were never previously chronic.

As time passes, additional symptoms emerge, while existing ones worsen. Among all finding, gastrointenstal symptoms stand out, usually with an alteration between constipation and diarrhea, constant gas and bloating, abdominal pain, inability to lose weight, and later, severe constipation. All these gastrointestinal problems seem to be an expression of chronic malabsorption. Additional symptoms are listed in Table 1.

Table 1
Symptoms Found in Chronic Fatigue Patients

Fatigue	100%
Poor memory, constipation, bloating or intestinal gas, PMS, food sensitivities	90%
Cravings for sugar, breads or alcohol, menstrual irregularities, irritability, anger	85%
Emotional stress preceding first attack, sensitivities to tobacco smoke, loss of libido, cold limbs, hypoglycemic symtoms, frequent mood swings, post-nasal drip, rectal itching	80%
Inability to make decisions, numbness, burning or tingling, muscle aches, joint pains, bad breath, heartburn	75%
Intake of broad spectrum antibiotics, presence of athlete's foot or fungus nails, insomnia, tendency to bruise easily	70%
Other enviromental sensitivities, abdominal pain, dizzy spells and positional vertigo, headaches, palpitations	65%
Tonsillitis, sore throats, body odor	60%
Urinary frequency and burning	55%
Intake of birth control pills, fluid in ears, tinnitus, tightness in chest	50%
Endometriosis, anxiety attacks, mucus in stools	45%
Hay fever, diarrhea, vaginal burning, itching or discharge, prostatis	40%

Patient histories reveal a high frequency of hay fever (40%), tonsillitis (60%), recurrent sore throats (30%), recurrent intake of antibiotics, especially broad spectrum such as tetracycline (65%), emotional stress preceding initial attack (80%), and poor diet and eating habits (75%). Physical examination reveals few objective signs. Most commonly noted are low grade fevers (35%), swollen glands (50%), snf ehitr-yellow coating in the middle and back of the tongue (85%) upon arising.

Standard hematologic tests reveal a low white cell count-below 4000, nl between 4-9000 (30%), low-grade pernicious anemia (45%), and at least one abnormal liver test (10%). Specialized immune panes show and increase of T8 or T-Helper cells with an inversion of the T4/T8 ratio (45%) and a decrease or low number of B cells. Additionally, a low gammaglobulin count was noted in 40% of the cases. Other frequent findings include a spastic colon on a lower GI (65%), while upper GI findings were totally normal (95%).

Diagnoses frequently reported by the patients from other physicians include hypoglycemia (75%), Mitral valve prolapse (60%), Multiple Sclerosis (15%), interstitial cystitis (5%), Lupus E. (10%) and Hashimoto's disease (10%). It is my observation that these were incorrect diagnoses or, as was the case in hypoglycemia and MVP, that the latter conditions were part of the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Note that all but one (MVP), are related to a depressed immune system, which may explain the confusion, since Chronic Fatigue is an immune-suppressed condition.

Treatment Plan

Before these patients were introduced to Flora Balance, they followed a strict anti-yeast diet, received acupuncture treatments and homeopathic anti-yeast herbal products (Pau D'Arco and Australian tea tree oil). The clinical improvements as noted in Table 2, are those after introducing Flora Balance to the treatment regimen, and represent results which I feel are attributable to this product.

The bacteria in flora balance is Bacillus Laterosporus, which is aerobic and spore-forming, and is sometimes found in the human intestine in very small numbers. Adult patients took two tablespoons mixed in two oz. of water, 15 minutes before breakfast, when stomach acid is at its lowest, once a day. After one month, they went to one tablespoon Flora Balance in one oz. of water, once a day. (Dr. DeSchepper was using Micro-Flora liquid, this has been replaced with Flora Balance capsules and Flora Balance powder for liquid, 2 tablespoons of Micro-Flora is equivalent to 1 teaspoon of powder or 2 capsules)

Improvement in symptoms, expressed as a percentage, after an average of one month on Flora Balance, are listed in Table 2.

Table 2

Symptom	% Improvement
Constipation, diarrhea	90%
Abdominal pain	85%
Bad breath, body odor	75%
mucus in stools, heartburn	70%
Food sensitivities, bloating or intestinal gas, hypoglycemic symptoms	65%
Athletes foot, fungus nails(soaking in FB), vaginal burning, discharge(FB douche)	60%
Rectal itching	50%
Cravings for sugar and carbohydrates, sore throats	45%
Hay fever, post-nasal drip	40%
Sensitivities to tobacco smoke	35%
Other sensitivities	30%
Fatigue, poor memory	25%

Conclusion

In summary, I believe the available data supports the following tentative conclusions:

1. Chronics Fatigues Syndromes (CFS) represents a true illness which finds it origin in immune suppression. Secondarily, overgrowth of yeast cells (Candida Albicans), Herpes Simplex Viruses (EBV, CMV, HHV-6, Herpes Simplex 1 and 2), and parasites will continue to suppress the immune system, and if untreated, may lead to life-threatening conditions such as cancer, leukemia and AIDS.

2. It is obvious from my clinical experience that a certain personality state predisposes to this condition. Victims seem to be Type A personalities, obsessive compulsives, high achievers, intellectual, analytical and worriers.

3. Flora Balance has been very successful in combating many symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Oustanding improvement was noted in the gastrointestinal symptoms (in the range of a 90%) improvement) usually after only a few days of taking the product. Table 2 outlines the many other areas of improvement.

The product needs only to be take once a day; it has no taste; it is liquid (soon to be released i capsule form as well); it may be stored at room temperature; and it its shelf life is at least 6 months. These factors contribute to good patient compliance.

I am convinced that Flora Balance will play a very important role in fighting the scourge of this century: the suppression of our immune system.

References

Luc De Schepper, M.D., Ph.D., Lic. Ac. (1986) Candida, the symptoms, the causes, the cure click here for more information on this book or to purchase

Luc De Schepper, M.D., Ph.D., Lic. Ac. (1989) Peak Immunity click here for more information on this book or to purchase

Correspondence:

Luc De Schepper, M.D., Ph.D.
2901 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90403

Note: (Dr. DeSchepper was using Micro-Flora liquid, this has been replaced with Flora Balance capsules and Flora Balance powder for liquid, 2 tablespoons of Micro-Flora is equivalent to 1 teaspoon of powder or 2 capsules) references to Micro-Flora have been changed accordingly.

These products have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This is provided for informational use only and is not intended to replace the advice of a licensed professional. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, disorder, pain, injury, deformity, or physical or mental condition This notice is required by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.