Coenzyme Q10 and L-Carnitine Helpful for Chronic Fatigue Patients
Chronic fatigue is a common problem which affects are many as 25% of all adults. A number of problems can cause chronic fatigue including nutritional deficiencies, anemia (low levels of red blood cells), thyroid problems, sleep apnea, mental depression, chronic infections, Candida overgrowth in the intestines and heavy exposure to chemicals and molds/mycotoxins.
Two nutrients which are often low in chronic fatigue patients are coenzyme Q10 and carnitine. Coenzyme Q10 is a vitamin like substance which plays a major role in metabolic processes which produce energy for the body. Coenzyme Q10 can be synthesized by the body, but it synthesis can be blocked in people taking statin drugs (such as Lipitor, Pravachol, Crestor, Zocor) for high cholesterol or in people with cancer or many metabolic problems.
A recent Belgian study of 58 chronic fatigue patients reported that 45% had very low levels of coenzyme Q10 in the blood. Chronic fatigue patients with very low coenzyme Q10 levels also had more problems with memory and concentration as compared to chronic fatigue patients with normal of coenzyme Q10 in the blood. Other studies have shown that supplementation with 100 milligrams or more daily of Coenzyme Q10 can significantly reduce fatigue. (This research by Maes et al. is now in press in NeuroEndrocrine Letters)
Carnitine is also often low in chronically fatigue patients as well as in heart failure and cancer patients. Carnitine is a key amino acid found in meat. Carnitine helps transport fats into the mitochondrion cells to be burned as energy. (The mitochondrion are cell organelles which are involved in most of the cells energy producing and detoxifying reactions.) A recent Italian study of 96 patients over age 70 years reported that supplementation with 2 grams of acetyl-l-carnitine twice daily produced significant improvements in both physical and mental fatigue as compared to patients given placebo. (This study by Malaguarnera et al. was published in the March-April Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics). Both coenzyme Q10 and carnitine are available in drugstores and health food stores without prescription.
B vitamins, magnesium, zinc and omega 3 fats are often low in chronic fatigue patients. I urge all chronic fatigue patients get a good diet with a good protein source 3 or more times per week (lean meat, fish, eggs, skim milk, cheese) and at least 5 servings a day of wide range of fruits and vegetables. Foods with high levels of sugar and corn syrup and refined flour (white bread, white rice) should be avoided. Chronic fatigue patients should also have take some balanced supplements which include omega-3 fats, b-complex vitamins, magnesium, zinc, coenzyme Q10 and l-carnitine or acetyl-l-carnitine. Many chronic fatigue patients have gradually improved after improving their diet and taking a broad range of food supplements.