Functional Medicine Approach To Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

A Functional Medicine Approach to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Understanding the Root Cause

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care, yet traditional treatments often fall short. Many individuals feel dismissed or unheard after being diagnosed, with limited options for true recovery. Functional medicine, however, offers a root-cause approach, addressing the underlying drivers of CFS rather than just managing symptoms.

Dr. Zimmerman at Peak Brain and Body in Wesley Chapel is a leading expert in helping individuals find answers and solutions for chronic fatigue syndrome through a non-pharmaceutical approach.

In this article, we’ll explore what actually causes chronic fatigue syndrome, why traditional medicine struggles to treat it effectively, and how a functional medicine approach can lead to better outcomes.

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Understanding Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Tampa

What Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), is a complex condition characterized by extreme fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest. It is classified as a syndrome, meaning it consists of a set of correlated medical signs and symptoms rather than a specific disease with one defined cause.

There are a variety of symptoms individuals may experience: fatigue, weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, brain fog, headache, tachycardia, allergies, and frequently getting sick.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is more common in females than males and is typically diagnosed when symptoms persist for six months or longer after ruling out other conditions like iron deficiency, blood sugar imbalances, thyroid or diabetes as the sole cause. With that being said, these can co-exist and may play a role in chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Overlapping Conditions of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

One of the key challenges in treating CFS is its overlap with other conditions. Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), for example, has significant symptom similarities, including dizziness, fatigue, brain fog, and immune dysfunction. Research shows that 95% of CFS patients experience worsening symptoms when moving from a seated or lying position to standing. We have a couple blog posts on POTS and you can read one here: POTS Blog Post.

Rather than viewing CFS as a single disease, it’s more helpful to see it as a multi-system dysfunction impacting neurological, immune, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular systems. This is why individuals are sent to a variety of specialists, but also struggle to get better. By the end of this article you are going to have a greater understanding of what should be done.

What Causes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

The functional medicine approach to chronic fatigue syndrome starts with a fundamental question: What is driving the condition? As in, we know the symptoms these individuals experience, but why do these symptoms manifest to begin with? 

Several contributing factors can set off the cycle of chronic fatigue, including infections, neurological dysfunction, gut health issues, and immune dysregulation.

1. Pathogens and Chronic Infections Role in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Pathogens—including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites—can play a significant role in the development and persistence of chronic fatigue. Some of the most common infectious triggers include:

• Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) – Often associated with reactivation in CFS patients. Note that most of the population has been exposed to EBV. The labs that would suggest an ongoing EBV issue include EBV early antigen IgG and EBV viral capsid antigen IgM.
• SARS-CoV-2 (Long COVID) – Can lead to post-viral fatigue and brain inflammation. Numerous studies have shown that the immune response can create a brain injury which explains why so many struggle with neurological symptoms after COVID.
• Herpes viruses – Including cytomegalovirus (CMV) and HHV-6.
• Lyme disease and co-infections – Bartonella, Babesia, and Mycoplasma pneumonia.
• Mold and mycotoxins – Often overlooked but significant in chronic fatigue cases.

Functional medicine focuses on identifying why the immune system is weakened, allowing these infections to persist, rather than just killing the pathogens. 

2. Neurological Dysfunction and Brain Inflammation

Chronic fatigue syndrome is often associated with neurological impairments, such as brain fog, dizziness, headaches, concentration, and word-finding difficulties. Research shows that inflammation in the body can cross the blood-brain barrier, triggering an immune response in the brain’s microglial cells. This leads to:

• Cognitive dysfunction (memory issues, poor concentration).
• Mood imbalances (anxiety, depression, irritability).
• Dysautonomia (heart rate and blood pressure irregularities).

Additionally, brain connectivity issues can impair energy regulation, making daily activities overwhelming for CFS patients. We will discuss below how to evaluate and treat brain connectivity issues. 

3. Gut Health and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The gut plays a crucial role in immune function and inflammation. Many CFS patients have dysbiosis (an imbalance of gut bacteria), which contributes to:

• Leaky gut (intestinal permeability) – Allowing inflammatory molecules to enter circulation.
• Low butyrate production – Reducing the gut’s ability to regulate inflammation.
• Inflammation spilling into the brain – Worsening cognitive symptoms and fatigue.

Addressing gut health through targeted nutrition, prebiotics, and probiotics can help improve overall energy levels and immune function.

Why Traditional Medicine Fails to Treat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

In conventional medicine, treatment for CFS is typically symptom-based, relying on medications rather than addressing the root cause. Here’s a comparison of the traditional vs. functional medicine approach:

Symptom	Traditional Treatment	Functional Medicine Approach
Fatigue	Stimulants (Adderall, Modafinil)	Addressing infections, gut health, mitochondrial function
Brain Fog	Antidepressants, stimulants	Reducing neuroinflammation, improving brain connectivity
Pain	NSAIDs, muscle relaxants	Reducing systemic inflammation, targeted neurological exercises
Gut Issues	Laxatives, antidiarrheals	Restoring gut microbiome balance, healing leaky gut

Additionally, short office visits and reliance on insurance models make it difficult for conventional doctors to dig deeper into the complex factors contributing to CFS. Beyond this, there individuals are referred to different specialists to address symptoms, but the symptoms are just that. They don’t tell us why they are there and most specialists are frustrated and do not know where to turn because the places they are trained to look at aren’t providing solutions.

A Functional Medicine Approach to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Wesley Chapel

Functional medicine goes beyond symptom management by performing in-depth testing to find the underlying factors driving the symptoms that make up this syndrome. We are going to explore some that that providers will often use when utilizing a functinal medicine approach to chronic fatigue syndrome. With this testing the provider is able to create personalized treatment plans. Here’s how it differs from conventional care:

1. Comprehensive Testing

A functional medicine provider will assess multiple body systems using tests such as:

• Advanced stool testing – Identifies gut imbalances and infections.
• Blood panels: to evaluate endocrine, metabolic, and vascular factors.
• Mold and mycotoxin testing – Evaluates mold exposure’s impact on the immune system. There is a dispute on the best testing: urine vs blood. We utilize blood testing that measures the immune response to mycotoxins and believe it is superior to urine. Having mycotoxins in urine doesn’t mean it’s creating an issue for the individual.
• Immune function panels – Measures inflammatory markers and immune imbalances.
• Neurological testing – Includes video oculography to assess brain function. We will discuss this more below as over 95% of functional medicine providers do not measure brain health and function.

It is important to note that those with advanced training will not run every single test as they’ll use the exam to determine what should be done. Those without as much experience tend to over compensate by using an over abundance of labs to make up for clinical abilities. 

2. Targeted, Root-Cause Treatments For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Once underlying causes are identified, treatment focuses on restoring balance. This may include:

• Mitochondrial support – Improving energy production with key nutrients like CoQ10, acetyl-L-carnitine, and B vitamins; but this is always done in conjunction with nutrition changes.
• Brain connectivity therapy – Strengthening brain function through functional neurology techniques.
• Gut repair protocols – Using dietary interventions and microbiome support. 
• Detoxification support – Removing toxins that contribute to inflammation by avoiding exposure and using targeted nutrition to support detoxification pathways in the body.
• Neuroinflammation reduction – Utilizing lifestyle strategies to calm the brain’s immune response.

3. A Holistic, Patient-Centered Approach

Unlike traditional medicine, functional medicine providers take the time to listen, analyze the full history, and develop an individualized plan. Lifestyle changes such as nutrition, sleep optimization, movement, and stress reduction play a central role in recovery.

The Missing Link: Functional Neurology

While functional medicine addresses many underlying causes of chronic fatigue syndrome, brain connectivity remains an overlooked factor. Functional neurology bridges this gap by:

• Evaluating eye movements to detect neurological dysfunction by using videooculography.
• Using balance testing to assess brain-body communication through computerized balance posturography.
• Providing targeted exercises to restore brain function and energy regulation.

In our experience, when these test results are off you can take all the supplements in the world but it’s not going to yield great results. The brain uses 25% of the entire body’s energy supply and to get someone out of a state of chronic fatigue by ignoring brain dysfunction is very hard. 

For the best results, working with a provider who combines functional medicine and functional neurology can provide a more complete approach to healing.

Final Thoughts

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a complex, multi-system condition that requires a comprehensive and personalized approach. While traditional medicine focuses on symptom management, functional medicine identifies and treats the underlying root causes, including infections, neurological dysfunction, gut health, and immune imbalances.

If you’re struggling with chronic fatigue and conventional treatments haven’t worked, consider working with a functional medicine and neurology expert to uncover what’s really driving your symptoms.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re looking for real answers to your chronic fatigue, reach out for a functional medicine consultation to start your path toward recovery today!