Customer Reviews

Explaining 'Unexplained Illnesses': Disease Paradigm for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Fibromyalgia, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Gulf War Syndrome

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I hope you will make the time to read Dr. Pall's book and find it as inspirational and educational as I did. I was very excited to read about this NO/ONOO theory and explanation underlying these inflammatory illnesses: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), Fibromyalgia (FM), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Gulf War Syndrome (GWS), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), etc. Take this book to your treating physician and discuss the protocols which fit your medical needs.
This book is dense with information - read the first chapter - The NO/ONOO Cycle and the Cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Fibromyalgia and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. If you find it too technical, skip to the section about your illness, then go back and see if the chemistry is easier to understand. But everyone should read this book - even if they don't understand the chemistry - just for the supportive information which validates their experience with their illness.
Referring to MCS, Dr. Pall writes," MCS initiation commonly involves chemical exposure, either a single high-level exposure or multiple lower-level exposures. The chemicals involved in initiation of MCS fall mainly into four classes, organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides and two other classes of pesticides, and volatile organic solvents." Page 4
The chapter on therapies is most helpful as it provides detailed information on agents expected to down-regulate the vicious NO/ONOO cycle. "At least 30 therapeutic agents or classes of agents are available today that are expected to down-regulate cycle biochemistry." Page 265 Dr. Pall lists the various protocols of Drs. Paul Cheney, Jacob Teitlebaum, Garth Nicolson, Nash Petrovic, and Grace Ziem. He explains how each therapy and protocol acts to lower the NO/ONOO cycle or lowers NMDA activity, or acts as a nitric oxide scavenger or vanilloid antagonist.
These two statements stood out in the Chapter on MCS: "I estimated based on both, anecdotal reports and controlled exposure study, that MCS sufferers are at least 100 times more sensitive than normals and are probably more on the order of 1000 times more sensitive." 2 Page 114
And,"In one of my papers, I estimated that the prevalence of MCS from epidemiological studies is similar to that of diabetes, but the funding available for its study has been only about 1/1000th as much." 2 Page 113
Footnote 2. Pall ML. NMDA sensitization and stimulation by peroxynitrite, nitric oxide and organic solvents as the mechanism of chemical sensitivity in multiple chemical sensitivity, FASEB J 2002; 16:1407-1417
In the Therapy chapter discussing Dr. Grace Ziem's protocols, Dr. Pall writes: "Patients are advised to use environmental controls to reduce exposure to volatile organic solvents, pesticides and other irritant chemicals wherever possible. The therapeutic agents are not a substitute for avoidance of irritant chemicals, but rather are only effective in these chemically injured patients when used along with environmental controls." Page 312
My message to everyone suffering and disabled from the affects of MCS, FM, CFS, PTSD and other inflammatory illnesses is never give up hope - there is some treatment or protocol which will help you and your physician manage your illness.
Reading Dr. Pall's book has, personally, given me great hope for the future - for more successful treatments for MCS tailored to individual needs. We are hopeful that the protocols developed with this NO/ONOO theory in mind will be of great benefit to the health and healing of people with MCS and other inflammatory illnesses.

In the groundbreaking new book "Explaining 'Unexplained Illnesses'", Dr. Martin Pall has proposed a new paradigm of human disease, the NO/ONOO- vicious cycle, which now explains CFS, MCS, FM, PTSD and GWS, bringing new hope for successful treatment and eventually a long hoped for cure. This paradigm also encompasses important illnesses such as asthma, autism, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and ALS, offering explanation and direction for research and treatment.

Dr. Pall clearly explains his new paradigm and the deranged biochemistry behind it. While the mechanism is complex, he gives hope to the millions who are suffering from these illnesses with an excellent chapter (Chapter 15) on treatment, mainly citing natural supplements as opposed to pharmaceuticals for disrupting this vicious cycle and returning the biochemistry to normal. He further explains the need for more research to develop the best treatment protocol and eventual cure.

Chapter 13, titled "What About Those Who Say It Is All in Your Head or That It All Starts in Your Head?", is a well-researched, heavily documented, pointed response to those who accuse these patients (of CFS and MCS particularly) of suffering from psychological/mental illness (or of being malingerers) rather than a physiological disease. As Dr. Pall points out, the chemical industry and insurance industry have vested interest in this issue, so as to avoid devastating liability lawsuits, payouts for disability, medical care and treatment.

As a former health care professional, I highly recommend this book as required reading for all people engaged in any aspect of the health care industry and all health care providers (from physicians to nurses to dentists) as well as for anyone who suffers from any of the illnesses impacted by this new disease paradigm. This book's importance cannot be overstressed.

Dr. Martin Pall's book, Explaining "Unexplained Illnesses," proposes an insightful and carefully constructed theory for the cause of such mysterious illnesses as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Fibromyalgia, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Gulf War Syndrome. It is a must-read for those in the health care profession as well as any individual who has, or knows someone who has, the afore mentioned illnesses.

The theory is somewhat complicated as it proposes an entirely new paradigm for disease, yet Dr. Pall presents the material in such a way that even an undergraduate like myself can understand it. Each chapter includes an introduction to help ease the reader into the topic, as well as take-home lessons to summaries the material in a digestible way. For those interested in going into greater detail on any of the particular diseases, there is an entire chapter devoted to each one. The book provides concise summaries as well as unabridged, through explanation. Basically, there is something for every type of reader.

Dr. Pall presents The NO/ONOO (pronounced, aptly, "No, oh no!) cycle as the causal mechanism for CFS FM MCS PTSD and related illnesses. Elevated levels of nitric oxide(NO)and its oxidant by-product, peroxynitrite (ONOO) propagate itself and create a chronic vicious cycle.

He says that focus should be on down-regulating the NO/ONOO cycle and presents many modalities collected from various researchers.

There is a wealth of information in this book and a valiant amount of attention to these illnesses, much of it quite technical, but quite understandable for any interested party.

If you have been dealing with and self-researching for ten, twenty years or more, you will find little that you didn't know or haven't tried. A number of sufferers say these modalities fall into 3 categories for them: 1) those that have caused negative effects 2) those that did nothing and 3) those that helped a little for a little while. Others have gotten real help for their condition.

If you are new to this subject, this book is highly informative and well worth reading.

Dr. Pall's research and recommended treatment saved me. The core of my treatment for a variety of neurological and digestive problems involves his recommended techniques for down-regulating the NO/ONOO cycle. My improvement relies on specific supplements to turn down reactivity combined with avoidance of chemical and food irritants. I only dared read this book once I had recovered sufficiently to have hope again. Within its pages I found helpful advice, well-supported scientific explanations for my "weird" symptoms and some sobering observations. The lack of recognition of chemical toxicity leads to incredible suffering and financial hardship. Dr. Pall's book should be compulsory reading for every doctor. The biochemical mechanisms he describes should be researched thoroughly so that there can be proven treatments for the growing number of people with "unexplained illness". Also there needs to be increased awareness and regulation of those "harmless" chemicals that are literally destroying lives.

Dr. Pall's book explains what I want ever doctor and family member or friend to finally understand. MCS is a real, and tragic, illness that results from the casual attitude we have with chemicals in our environment and this is what is happening. The book is an excellent text for the average person, and those with a non-scientific mind, as Dr. Pall teaches a basic science class on the NO/ONOO process responsible for the illnesses which many of us have had to live with for years. As I read the book I felt hope for all who suffer from one of these. More important still is the treatment formula that Dr. Pall, Dr. Grace Ziem and Jim Seymour have introduced. This treatment has changed my life. I highly recommend this book; buy several and gift them to every doctor you know...It's that important.

I found this book to be extremely insightful. It details very specifically some causes, stressors, effects, and cycles for each of the unexplained illnesses it references. This book is a definite "must have" for anyone wanting scientific reference. I am going to recommend this book to known health care providers, as well as, people who are experience these illnesses.

This book is technical, which it has to be, but still very useful for the non-biochemist. My purpose was to get ideas for treatment and I got them from the book.

I got some information and help, but as someone who reacts to books and ink, it was difficult for me to read. I'd like to see this made available on CD, or electronic version.... and maybe a simplified version for those of us who aren't very technical to begin with. Although, reading it electronically may have cleared some things up for me. I did pass it on to my more technically minded sister, who I'm sure will help me understand.

If you have any of the illnesses that are "unexplained", you really should try to read this. Even if you don't get it all, it may help you some with the direction to move for improvement.

I thank you, Dr. Pall, for your research and writing on this. Blessings on you and yours!

Explaining Unexplained Illnesses
Disease Paradigm for: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Fibromyalgia, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Gulf War Syndrome, and Others
By Martin Pall, PhD (Informa Health Care 2009)

By Jackie Steincamp, New Zealand

Dr Pall opens our eyes to the altered biochemistry in chronic disease. A marvellous argument - but a warning, this book is not for the fainthearted, woolly-headed or medically and scientifically ignorant!
Hel presents the NO/ONOO (pronounced, aptly, "No, oh no!) cycle as the causal mechanism for CFS, FM, MCS, PTSD and related illnesses. Nitric oxide (NO) itself has many useful functions in the body, but if its levels are too high, its oxidant by-product, peroxynitrite (ONOO) propagates itself and creates a chronic vicious cycle. He argues that therapies should focus on down-regulating the NO/ONOO cycle and presents many modalities collected from various researchers and clinicians. He quotes extensively from such CFS medical heroes as Drs Paul Cheney, David Bell, Jacob Teitelbaum, Grace Ziem, and Garth Nicolson.
Dr Pall has written and researched M.E./CFS illnesses for many years. He is Professor of Biochemistry and Basic Medical Sciences at Washington State University. His long term interests in the body's regulatory systems and free radicals. Among his many distinguished activities, he is on the editorial board of the Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Haworth).
He shows that NO/ONOO damage can be quite local within the body, impacting on one tissue, but not necessarily another. Different people suffering from these illnesses thus can have an infinite variety of symptoms and signs produced by this variation in tissue distribution. Increased inflammatory processes are also engendered by high levels of peroxynitrite and may be quite localized.
He draws from world wide research to argue that whatever type of "unexplained illness" is concerned, that genetic susceptibility leading to hormonal abnormalities are key factors. "No! Oh no!" is not the basic problem. The individual's genetics and hormonal balance are the determining factors.
Lengthy explanations of why agents such as glutathione, selenium, flavonoids, magnesium, carnosine and carnitine (and many others) show why they help down-regulate the ONOO cycle. Summaries of treatment protocols (all heavily anti-oxidant) from four leading M.E./CFS specialists illustrate how they may be used in treatment. .
Dr Pall provides a remarkable argument on what is surely a central thesis of chronic unexplained and fatiguing illnesses: namely that oxidative stress mechanisms point the way to any therapeutic approach. There is a wealth of information in this book, much of it quite technical, but understandable for any informed and determined reader.