Research into ME

For Maltese sufferers to see a letter in the newspaper regarding ME, especially written by a medical professional in Malta, is a treat, savoured like manna from heaven (A Treatment For ME, Albert Cilia-Vincenti, May 16). ME sufferers are aware of how complex and confusing their illness is. Although they feel unjustly treated and petrified when doctors try to shun ME, in the hope that it will disappear, they can also empathise with the fact that since there is no proper diagnostic test for ME, the wide array of symptoms ME manifests is very daunting.

However, I must also point out that Basant Puri never claimed that his treatment or product called VegEPA "will achieve recovery from ME".

In 2002, Prof. Puri and his team from Hammersmith conducted pioneering research into the brain chemistry of people with ME, which made use of a type of brain-imaging technology called MRS. Results showed that sufferers (compared to healthy volunteers) had a higher level of a substance called choline (a nutrient of the Vitamin B complex), which would indicate a deficiency of essential fatty acids (EFAs) in the brain and also suggests a problem with fatty acid metabolism in the brain. According to Prof. Puri these increased levels of choline were "precisely what we would expect to see following a major viral infection".

He believes that the fatty acid supplements with a high level of EPA, together with an nutrient rich diet, could benefit ME sufferers since it regulates chemical imbalances in the brain; thus helping to alleviate symptoms like impaired concentration, short-term memory, psychomotor function, cognitive functioning, difficulty with information processing. Plus it also has anti-viral properties that strengthen the immune system.

During Prof. Puri's talk called A Natural Way to Manage ME/CFS in May 2007, he emphasised that he does not know all the answers and that more research is needed before definitive recommendations can be made.

The VegEPA for ME Scheme has almost 4,000 members, all ME sufferers, who find that VegEPA has had a positive effect and provides relief or marked improvement in their cognitive abilities and sleep. However, Prof. Puri also states that if an ME sufferer does not have a deficiency of EFAs, the supplements will not help. This is important to bear in mind because the cost of the VegEPA is not cheap.

In the meantime, great interest has been shown in Prof. Puri's research. The UK national charity ME Research UK that funds biomedical research into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, together with the charity ME Solutions and the MRC Clinical Sciences Centre (Imperial College London) have jointly funded the resumption of Prof. Puri's important study.

Although there is no government funding for biomedical research in the UK, ongoing research projects are being made possible through charitable trusts. Some of these projects can be viewed at www.meresearch.org.uk/research/projects/ongoing.html. Hopefully one of these projects will help shed light on the physical cause of ME and in turn suggest a definite and permanent cure. Who knows, Prof. Puri's research might prove to be the answer!

If one wishes to try VegEPA, may I suggest that it be bought securely through The VegEPA for ME Scheme www.thevegepaformescheme.com.