Free health study seeks participants
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and fibromyalgia under the microscope
North-West University is working in collaboration with clinicians in Richards Bay to unravel the mysteries of chronic fatigue syndrome.
To do this cutting edge research, they need to establish a volunteer study group from the community.
The scientists aim to see to what extent metabolomics can assist with finding the cause(s) of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, and if the conditions can be alleviated through personalised therapy.
If you are a female aged between 25 and 55 years and you believe that you are suffering from chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia, you can assist by enrolling for the study.
The team would also like non-sufferers of these conditions to take part – females between 25 and 55 who would like to be profiled metabolically.
Individuals who are selected for the study will receive sophisticated tests including, but not limited to, biotransformation and oxidative stress status at no cost.
The results of the tests will be made available to the study participants.
The estimated market value of the tests is approximately R2 000.
If you would like to participate, contact Sister Debbie Jacobs on 083 6266036 or debbiejane.jacobs@gmail.com.
Complex
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a complex disorder in which an individual experiences extreme fatigue or tiredness that cannot be explained by physical activity or illness
Fibromyalgia patients also experience widespread, unexplained pain, to such an extent that it interferes with daily living.
Although a couple of theories have been put forward, scientists and doctors by and large do not know what the cause of these debilitating diseases are and many patients continue to live with these symptoms without any relief.
The Centre for Human Metabonomics (CHM) is situated at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University (NWU) and is the only facility of its kind in the whole of Africa.
Metabonomics is a new holistic investigative approach that allows for near complete bio-analytical characterisation of an individual and gives an overview of the total metabolic state.
Metabolomics are interfacing with basic and applied biological disciplines especially in nutrition, toxicology, pharmacology and medicine.
