Cause: Unknown; may be due to virus or caused by inflammation within the nervous system.

Useful Supplements: Carnitine, Magnesium, Potassium-Magnesium Asparate, NADH.

Useful Herbs: Licorice.

Further information: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a condition characterized by fatigue that does not respond to rest and which does not appear to have a specific physical cause. It makes day-to-day activities difficult, as CFS sufferers are exhausted by doing the most mild tasks. The exhaustion is often accompanied by poor sleep patterns, joint pain, general muscle ache, and sore throat and lymph nodes.
While the cause of CFS is not known, it is suspected to be either viral or an immune system disorder. There is no known "cure" either; at this time, rest and relief of discomfort are the best treatment. A healthy diet and regular exercise¹ are recommended, as well as regular social interactions (lack of energy often leads to isolation, which can lead to depression). If stress worsens the symptoms, therapy to learn how to deal with stress is recommended.² In most cases, full recovery occurs within a year.

The following supplements and herbs are helpful in the treatment of CFS patients:

Carnitine, used by the body to produce energy for cell development, has been shown to be deficient in CFS sufferers.³ Taken regularly, Carnitine alleviates the symptoms of CFS.⁴

Magnesium levels are also low in some CFS patients.⁵ Supplements appear helpful, although in some cases, magnesium had to be injected in order to prove helpful.⁶

NADH appears to also help in the treatment of CFS.⁷

Potassium-Magnesium Asparate has been shown beneficial in the treatment of CFS as well.⁸ 1 gram, taken twice daily, has been reported to cause improvement in as little as one week.⁹

Licorice is effective in regulating blood pressure, something which does not happen in many CFS patients.¹⁰ Taking a Licorice supplementation regularly has been shown to help CFS sufferers.¹¹ A health care provider should be consulted before Licorice is added as a supplement, however, as too high a dose can cause high blood pressure.

References:

¹Fulcher KY, White PD. Randomised controlled trial of graded exercise in patients with the chronic fatigue syndrome. BMJ 1997;314:1647–52.
²Sharpe M, Hawton K, Simkin S, et al. Cognitive behaviour therapy for the chronic fatigue syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. BMJ 1996;312:22–26.
³Kuratsune H, Yamaguti K, Takahashi M, et al. Acylcarnitine deficiency in chronic fatigue syndrome. Clin Infect Dis 1994;18(suppl 1):S62–67.
⁴Plioplys AV, Plioplys S. Amantadine and L-carnitine treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome. Neuropsycholbiol 1997;35:16–23.
⁵Cox IM, Campbell MJ, Dowson D. Red blood cell magnesium and chronic fatigue syndrome. Lancet 1991;337:757–60.
⁶Howard JM, Davies S, Hunnisett A. Magnesium and chronic fatigue syndrome. Lancet 1992;340:426.
⁷Forsyth LM, MacDowell-Carnciro AL, Birkmayer GD, et al. The use of NADH as a new therapeutic approach in chronic fatigue syndrome. Presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 1998.
⁸Crescente FJ. Treatment of fatigue in a surgical practice. J Abdom Surg 1962;4:73.
⁹Shaw DL et al. Management of fatigue: A physiologic approach. Am J Med Sci 1962;243:758.
¹⁰Bou-Holaigah I, Rowe PC, Kan J, Calkins H. The relationship between neurally mediated hypotension and the chronic fatigue syndrome. JAMA 1995;274:961–67.
¹¹Baschetti R. Chronic fatigue syndrome and liquorice. New Z Med J 1995;108:156–57.