Vitamins and Nutrition for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

A diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is made when the person is suffering from constant, unexplained fatigue for a minimum of six months. In addition to the fatigue, other signs and symptoms are present. These symptoms can include:

• short-term memory and concentration impairment
• chronic sore throat
• painful and swollen lymph nodes
• body aches and muscles stiffness
• diffuse joint pain with otherwise no evidence of the systemic arthritis
• chronic headaches
• persistent feeling of fatigue for 24 hours after physical exercise
• no feeling of refreshment after sleep

The exact cause of this condition is not clear. It was hypothesized that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a form of immune system function disarray possibly triggered by viral infection. Multiple natural compounds have been studied as potential help for this mysterious condition.

D-ribose is a five carbon atom carbohydrate (chemical name “pentose”). D-ribose is very crucial for living cells. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is well thought-out by scientists to play the main role in the energy production in living cells. ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) contains D-ribose. Various coenzymes and all forms of RNA (ribonucleic acid) use the molecule of D-ribose. In December 2006 “The Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine” published a study conducted by Dr. Teitelbaum JE and associates. The effect of D-ribose on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia was researched in this study. It was concluded that D-ribose drastically decreased the clinical signs of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Coenzyme q10 (Co q10) is a fat-soluble, biochemical substance present in every cell of the human body, similar to a vitamin. It is involved in the chain of biochemical reactions that generate energy in living cells and also has antioxidant properties. Co q10 levels diminish naturally with age. These levels were found to be low in patients suffering from a number of chronic conditions such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, heart diseases, Parkinson disease, muscle dystrophies, cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. Various prescription medications may also decrease Co q10 levels in cells. A study conducted in Iowa University found Co q10 to be very helpful in relieving symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Sixty-nine percent of patients reported improvement in energy level and overall well-being.

DHEA is an adrenal hormone that is the precursor for steroid hormones such as testosterone and estrogen. DHEA declines sharply with advancing age in both men and women. The general public learned about DHEA in 1996, when the benefits of DHEA were revealed in several books. DHEA became convincing to the official medical establishment when a book titled DHEA and Aging was published. This book provided scientific justifications for the numerous longevity effects of DHEA. The DHEA level of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients is low compared to optimal ranges. DHEA supplementation is found to be helpful for patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

European researchers found Omega-3 Fatty acids (an essential component of Fish Oil) to be quite effective in helping sufferers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome after a viral condition . The mechanism of this effect was not quite clear. Most likely it is related to the positive influence of the Omega-3 Fatty acids on the phospholipids.

Oxidative stress plays a role in developing Chronic Fatigue syndrome. An antioxidant Lipoic acid works by restoring the antioxidant activity of vitamins C and E. Lipoic acid stimulates synthesis of glutathione which plays a major role in energy formation.

Magnesium is a mineral that is required by every living cell of the human body. Bones need Magnesium for the proper functioning of proteins and fatty acids. As an essential atom in many enzymes, it is required for Adenosine triphosphate formation. Adenosine triphosphate is the primary source of energy for the muscles. One study revealed that 47% of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers had a low level of Magnesium.