A patient is usually diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue syndrome (CFS) if he or she suffers from constant, unexplained fatigue for a minimum of six months. In addition to a general feeling of exhaustion, other signs and symptoms can be traced back to Chronic Fatigue syndrome:
- 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 systemic arthritis
- Chronic headaches
- Persistent feeling of fatigue for 24 hours after physical exercise
- No feeling of relief after sleep.
The exact cause of this condition is not clear. It was hypothesized that Chronic Fatigue syndrome is a type of
Immune system dysfunction possibly triggered by a viral infection. Multiple natural compounds have been studied as potential treatments for this mysterious condition.
D-
ribose is a five carbon atom carbohydrate known as a
pentose molecule. D-
ribose is essential to all living cells as an important component of Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which, in turn, plays an important role in the production of energy in the organism. Various coenzymes and all forms of RNA (ribonucleic acid) use the D-
ribose molecule. In December 2006,
The Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine published a study conducted by Dr. Teitelbaum JE and associates. They focused on one of the effects of
D-ribose on Chronic Fatigue syndrome and Fibromyalgia. The study concluded that D-ribose assisted in drastically decreasing the clinical symptoms of both Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue syndrome.
Coenzyme q10 (Co
q10) is a fat-soluble compound, similar to a vitamin for its biochemical structure and wide presence in every cell of the human body. It is involved in the chain of biochemical reactions responsible for generating energy in living cells. It also has important antioxidant properties.
Co
q10 levels diminish naturally with age. It has been found to be consistently low in patients suffering from a number of chronic conditions such as Chronic Fatigue syndrome, heart diseases, Parkinson disease, muscular dystrophy, cancer, diabetes and HIV/AIDS. It has also been observed that various prescription medications may decrease Co q10 levels in the cells. A study conducted in Iowa University found CoQ10 to be very beneficial in relieving symptoms of Chronic Fatigue syndrome; in the study a whopping 69% of patients reported that they experienced an improvement in energy levels and overall well-being.
DHEA is an adrenal hormone that acts as the precursor for steroid hormones such as testosterone and estrogen. It has been observed that
DHEA concentrations in the bloodstream decline sharply with aging, in both men and women. The general public became aware of
DHEA in 1996, when the benefits of
DHEA were disseminated through several books.
DHEA, however, did not become recognized by the medical community until the publication of the book,
DHEA and Aging. This book provided a scientific basis for the numerous positive effects of DHEA on longevity and proper bodily function.
There is a significant correlation between patients suffering from Chronic Fatigue syndrome and lower-than-optimal DHEA levels. Furthermore, DHEA supplementation has been found to be effective in relieving the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue syndrome in most patients.
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 is still not quite clear, although it is believed to be related to the positive influence of the
Omega-3 Fatty acids on phospholipids.
Oxidative stress has been found to play a role in developing Chronic Fatigue syndrome. The antioxidant
Lipoic acid, works by restoring the antioxidant power of vitamins C and E. Additionally,
Lipoic acid stimulates the synthesis of glutathione which plays a major part in the generation of energy in the body.
The use of the
Magnesium mineral is essential to every living cell. In the human body, bones require the
Magnesium mineral for the proper functioning of proteins and fatty acids. As an essential atom in many enzymes,
Magnesium is required for Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) formation. Adenosine triphosphate is the primary source of energy for the muscles. It is not surprising, therefore, that a study revealed that 47% of Chronic Fatigue syndrome sufferers showed low levels of the Magnesium mineral.