Probiotics and Supplements May Be Helpful to Chronic Fatigue Patients
Chronic fatigue is a very common problem which affects as many as 10 to 20% of adults. Chronic fatigue is often accompanied by other health problems such as headaches, depression, anxiety, digestive problems, trouble sleeping, asthma, joint/muscle pain, poor exercise tolerance and allergies. Chronic fatigue has many causes including unknown causes, nutritional deficiencies, sleep problems such as apnea and narcolepsy, thyroid and other hormone problems, depression and stress, chronic infections of Candida and viruses, heavy exposure to pesticides and other toxic chemicals and medical conditions such as cancer and heart disease. Oftentimes a multi-faceted medical, nutritional and environmental approach is needed to successfully treat chronic fatigue syndrome.
Use of dietary supplements may be helpful to chronic fatigue patients. The use of supplemental probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium may reduce fatigue by reducing levels of Candida and other harmful fungi in the intestines and by recolonizing the gut with healthy probiotic bacteria. A recent Ontario study gave 39 chronic fatigue syndrome patients either a daily supplement of 24 billion Lactobacillus casei bacteria of placebo for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, the chronic fatigue patients receiving the Lactobacillus supplement had significant increases in Lactobacillus in their stools, a significant reduction in anxiety and a non-significant reduction in depression as compared to the patients given placebo. This research is published in the March 19, 2009 issue of Gut Pathogens.
Other dietary supplements are often helpful for patients with chronic fatigue. Daily supplements of 400 milligrams of magnesium and 35 milligrams or more of zinc have been shown to be often helpful in reducing pain and tiredness in chronic fatigue patients. Iodine deficiency has been linked to chronic fatigue. Chronic fatigue patients should consume fish and/or sea vegetables such as kelp regularly to prevent iodine deficiency. Chronic fatigue patients often benefit from supplements of the b-vitamins and vitamin C. Vitamin supplements for chronic fatigue patients should include at least 500 milligrams of vitamin C daily plus several times the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowances) of the B-Vitamins.
Daily supplementation of 3,000 milligrams or more of L-carnitine and 100 milligrams daily of coenzyme Q10 have also been shown to be significantly reduce pain and fatigue in many chronic fatigue patients. (L-carnitine is an amino acid involved in fat transport and energy production. Coenzyme Q10 is a vitamin-like molecule involved in energy production.) Daily consumption of one teaspoon or more of omega rich oils from fish, flaxseed or evening primrose have been associated with reduced chronic fatigue symptoms. Other research has found that supplements of D-ribose (a sugar used in energy production) and NADH (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Reduced- a molecule used in energy metabolism) can also be somewhat helpful for chronic fatigue patients.
A good review of the use of food supplements in treating chronic fatigue syndrome was written by Melvyn Werbach, MD and published in the April 2000 Alternative Medicine Review.
Many chronic fatigue patients have low blood pressure and can benefit by taking more sodium (salt) in their diet and or getting medicine to raise blood pressure. Drinking enough water and other fluids is also important in preventing low blood pressure.