In 1992 I published a 375-page, profusely illustrated book entitled Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and the Yeast Connection. Here are excerpts from the Foreword of this book by Carol Jessop, M.D., Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine, and a faculty member of the University of California (San Francisco).

“Having worked with CFS patients for almost ten years, I believe this illness may simply represent the 10 to 15% of our species who have not adapted to the rapid and startling changes in the environment, and the subsequent changes in our internal intestinal environment.

“Since 1950 we’ve seen the development and overuse of antibiotics; the use of hormones and birth control pills; … the introduction of various chemicals and toxins into our environment; and significant changes which have occurred within our diets, leaving us food tainted with pesticides, depleted in nutritional value and loaded with sugars and dyes.

“Can we really continue to believe these incredible changes have not affected the wellbeing of some and eventually perhaps all of us? … Ten years ago I was very frustrated working with CFS patients because of deeply ingrained skepticism about theories such as the ‘yeast connection.’ However, following further research and a trial of some of these therapeutic interventions with my patients, my work has become both intellectually rewarding and fun.”

In her review of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and the Yeast Connection, Mary Hager, Newsweek health reporter said,

“Beleaguered patients will find much to cheer in Dr. Crook’s new book. To start, he believes CFS is for real, that the symptoms are caused by organic changes that affect the immune system, the nervous system, the musculoskeletal system and many other parts of the body He disagrees with conventional wisdom that CFS is ‘simply a state of mind’ ...

“But even more valuable to patients may be his prescription for a hefty dose of common sense as he explores the various approaches that seem to help many patients … everything from diet and nutritional supplements, to new therapies on the horizon, plus, of course, his appeal that physicians and patients consider yeast infections as a potential contributor to CFS.”

I made minor revisions in this book when it was reprinted in 1995, and I began working to revise it again in late 1999. But as I reviewed all of the new information that has become available in the past five years, I decided to write a new book with a different title.

Although you’ll find that some of what you read in this book was included in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and the Yeast Connection, two-thirds of this book is new material. Here’s an even more important reason for the title change. The information and treatment program described in this book will help many weary people who have been searching for answers who do not meet the official criteria of CFS.

William G. Crook, M.D.