Q: “I have been diagnosed with ME and wondered what I can do nutritionally to help myself especially to reduce the main symptoms of overwhelming tiredness and the muscle pains?”

A: ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis), or chronic fatigue syndrome as it is often called, is a condition of debilitating tiredness with a combination of other symptoms including muscle pain, joint aches, depression and mental confusion.The cause is not known but many believe that it is a chronic viral infection. The aim is to support the immune system by cutting out any toxins and other substances that place a burden on the body. So caffeine, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, additives, preservatives all need to be eliminated. Avoiding sugar and yeast is important in order to keep the gut as healthy as possible. Your digestive system makes up a major part of the immune system so it is crucial that it is as healthy as possible to control viruses and bacteria.

You may consider testing to see whether you are allergic to gluten or dairy foods as eliminating these has been helpful in some people (see www.naturalhealthpractice.com to obtain these tests: Acute Allergy Screen Test, Food Intolerance Test, Gluten Intolerance Test). Have a good balanced diet including good quality protein like fish, beans and organic eggs.

Adding supplements can be beneficial and ones I would suggest are co-enzyme Q10 for energy, magnesium malate for muscles, Omega 3 oils for joint pains and mental function and a good probiotic for digestive health.

Q: “My son has had a bout of asthma twice from eating hamburgers and fizzy drinks from a well known food chain. Could there be a link?”

A: There may be, according to New Zealand doctors who in 2005 reported a series of cases. It’s still not clear whether it is the material in the burgers or the drinks that caused the flare ups but they describe it as significant and advise people with asthma to be wary of fast food.