Chronic fatigue syndrome :
The potential of nutritional medicine
Bradley McEwen | PhD , MHSc ( Hum Nutr ), BHSc , ND ( Adv ), DBM , DNutr , DSM , M . ATMS , Naturopath , Nutritionist , and Mentor . Adjunct Senior Lecturer , School of Health and Human Sciences , Southern Cross University . Tegan Martin | DipHSc , Bachelor of Health Science ( Clinical Nutrition ) student , Torrens University .
Abstract
Chronic fatigue syndrome ( CFS ) is a debilitating fatigue condition that is both physical and mental in nature . CFS affects various body systems , with numerous symptoms , including fatigue , exhaustion , muscle pain , joint pain , anxiety , depression , stress , cognitive dysfunction , and digestive symptoms , among others . Optimum nutrition is the foundation for optimum health . Vitamins , minerals , amino acids , probiotics , lactoferrin , and water have numerous benefits in improving health . This article discusses chronic fatigue syndrome and introduces the potential of Vitamins A , B1 , B2 , B3 , B5 , B6 , folate , B12 , C , D , E , K , coenzyme Q10 , lipoic acid , omega-3 , minerals ( calcium , chromium , copper , iodine , iron , magnesium , manganese , molybdenum , selenium , silica , zinc ), N-Acetylcysteine , carnitine , glutamine , probiotics , lactoferrin , and water in the management of chronic fatigue syndrome .
Introduction
Fatigue is one of the most common complaints in daily life . 1 Chronic fatigue syndrome ( CFS ) is a debilitating fatigue condition 2 , 3 that is both physical and mental in nature . 4 It is characterised by fatigue 2-7 and affects various body systems , such as the central nervous system , 6 nervous system , 5 immune system , 5 , 6 digestive system , 5 , 6 cardiovascular system , 6 musculoskeletal system , 4 , 6 , 7 endocrine system , 5 cognition , 3 , 4 , 6 and also affects cell energy metabolism . 6 Optimum nutrition is the foundation for optimum health . 8 , 9
Vitamins , minerals , amino acids , probiotics , lactoferrin , and water have numerous benefits in improving health via various mechanisms of action , such as energy metabolism , 10 , 11 modulation of inflammation , 12-14 antioxidant and free radical scavenging effects , 15 formation of haemoglobin , 15 immune cell function and immune responses , 16 metabolism of carbohydrates 17 , 18 19 , 20
and glucose , metabolic regulation , 21-24 bone health , 25 muscle and nerve function , 26 neurotransmission , 26 heart rhythm , 26 detoxification , 27 digestive health , 28-30 and the normal functioning of the nervous , endocrine , cardiovascular , and immune systems , 31 among other functions .
There are many pieces to the puzzle of chronic fatigue syndrome . This article aims to shed light on the symptoms and various causes of chronic fatigue syndrome . It introduces the potential of nutritional medicine , including Vitamins A , B1 , B2 , B3 , B5 , B6 , folate , B12 , C , D , E and K , coenzyme Q10 , lipoic acid , omega-3 , minerals ( calcium , chromium , copper , iodine , iron , magnesium , manganese , molybdenum , selenium , silica , zinc ), N-acetylcysteine , carnitine ,
124 | vol29 | no3 | JATMS