The Coagulation system, which is in our blood, is a reaction responsible for producing material which in normal non-pathologic states prevents excessive bleeding should a blood vessel be traumatized in any way. In patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and/or Fibromyalgia, an excessive amount of a substance called soluble fibrin monomers (not blood clots!) are produced, which over time tends to form a coating along the inner walls of our blood vessels. This coating prevents oxygen, which normally travels from inside the blood vessel across the vessel wall to the muscles from occurring. Eventually this leads to chronic muscle oxygen deprivation which in turn leads to increased aches, pains, overall weakness, insomnia and brain fog.

In addition, the coating along the inner walls of the blood vessels also allows for chronic infections (that would otherwise be killed off by our immune system or antibiotics) to live and thrive within these “thickened” walls because these walls now provide a coat of armor to protect these infections from any harm, which is great for the infection but bad for the patient!

Routinely this can be checked by doing blood work; however, treatment of these thickened walls typically involves either natural oral therapies for a few months, or a trial of injectable heparin given twice daily.  Heparin has provided fairly noticeable improvement in pain, often being able to stop taking strong narcotic pain medications for good. Treatment of this condition typically unmasks previously hidden infections, therapy needs to be given fairly slowly to minimize what is called a die-off reaction from occurring, in which a patient experiences transient flu symptoms. This scenario can be avoided by your doctor dosing the heparin at a low amount and gradually increasing it as tolerated, getting lenty of rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and controling symptoms with Tylenol or Motrin.

Quercetin is a natural antioxidant found in red grapes, red apples, green tea, onions, and broccoli.  It belongs to a class of compounds called bioflavenoids, pigments found in thousands of plants. Quercetin is benefecial in reducing bladder irritation and improving the quality and duration of sleep. Quercetin is also believed to enhance visual performance, and has been claimed to improve upper respiratory symptoms in allergies and colds. This effect is thought to be the result of a stabilizing effect on the break-up of certain infection-fighting cells called mast cells. These cells contain histamine, which produces many of the symptoms that we associate with colds and allergies. In the presence of a chemical or biological irritant, these cells rupture and release their contents into the circulation at the site of irritation, producing pain, swelling, and increased secretion of fluids in the area.  Quercetin is believed to prevent the rupture of the cell walls of these inflammatory mast cells.

Now, for the first time, a placebo-controlled study has demonstrated the beneficial effects of a natural antioxidant on reducing illness.  Dr. David Neiman, a professor at Appalachian State University’s Department of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science, conducted a 5 week study with 40 athletes to test the effects of Quercetin on the immune system under conditions of physical stress.  Half of the study group received 1,000 mg of Quercetin daily, while the other half received a placebo.  Three weeks into the study, the athletes rode a bicycle three hours a day for three days to the point of exhaustion. After the extreme exercise period, 45 percent of the placebo group reported illness, versus only 5 percent of the Quercetin group. Furthermore, an alertness test was given to both groups after the exercise period, where there was significant performance difference between the groups, with the Quercetin group able to maintain the ability to react to the alertness tests when exhausted.

This study specifically proves Quercetin’s  beneficial effect on health under conditions of physical stress. Dr. Nieman plans further studies in an attempt to define the benefits of Quercetin under conditions of mental stress as well. Fibromyalgia and CFIDS are characterized by unstable and overreactive immune responses, and the potential benefits for most of our patients through Quercetin are clear.