Rich Van Konynenburg, Ph.D., an independent researcher, believed that glutathione depletion causes many of the problems in ME/CFS. The master anti-oxidant in the body, glutathione also plays a role in amino acid transport, protein synthesis, the cell cycle and immune cell proliferation.
These papers by Rich Van Konynenburg examine ways to enhance glutathione, detoxification and energy production in ME/CFS.
Rich died unexpectedly in his sleep on Sept 25th, 2012. A tribute to him, which explains the background to, and development of his work, appears here.
Treatment papers
- A Simplified Treatment Approach Based on the Glutathione Depletion-Methylation Cycle Block Pathogenesis Hypothesis for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Part I
- Simplified Treatment Approach Based on the Glutathione Depletion- Methylation Cycle Block Pathogenesis Hypothesis for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Part II
- Interpretation of the Methylation Pathways Panel
- Augmenting Glutathione in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) – The most extensive resource on the net of the many different ways used to boost the levels of this master antioxidant in the body. This was superseded by Rich’s Methylation Cycle Treatment Plan.
Rich’s 2001 talk in Sweden on ME/CFS
Theory papers
- Is Glutathione Depletion an Important Part of the Pathogenesis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? (2004) Rich’s original paper in which he describes why he believed glutathione depletion plays a central role in ME/CFS; largely superseded by the Methylation Blockade Theory paper below.
- Glutathione Depletion-Methylation Cycle Block: A Hypothesis For the Pathogenesis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – A paper presented at the 2007 IACFS/ME Conference.
- A Simplified Treatment Approach Based on the Glutathione Depletion-Methylation Cycle Block Pathogenesis Hypothesis for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Part I How the hypothesis came about, what it is, why the Yasko-Autism connection fits, and why he believed it pertains to ME/CFS (7/07).
- A Simple Explanation of the Glutathione/Methylation Depletion Theory of ME/CFS – (12/08) Rich provided a step-by-step, simpler explanation of his theory.
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Autism – exploring possible connections between CFS and autism.
- Methylation and Glutathione, Keys to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (2008) Download Rich’s Powerpoint presentation to the 2008 Orthomolecular Health Medicine Society.
- Why is the Prevalence of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Higher in Women Than in Men? (2007)