VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS

Supplement Recommendations for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

First of all, you want to make sure no component of your CFS is caused by nutritional deficiencies. So it's important to take a high-potency multiple vitamin and a good all-purpose antioxidant. These are maintenance, and you'll need to take them indefinitely.

How to Take Supplements:

The supplements listed here address problems of CFS generally noted by nutritionally oriented physicians: depletion of magnesium, adrenal exhaustion, and a weakened immune system.

For at least six months you'll need to take magnesium, alpha-lipoic acid, vitamin C, coenzyme Q10 as well as ginseng and licorice. Patients with severe fatigue should take the ginseng and licorice separately; those with milder symptoms can try an adrenal complex, a combination product that includes key nutrients. If you're taking licorice, check your blood pressure weekly. If it goes higher than about 120/80, reduce or even discontinue the licorice.

In addition, NADH, a compound related to the B vitamin niacin, may be helpful, although it can take two to three months to reach its maximum effect. A 1999 survey showed that of every eight people who tried NADH on their own, approximately four improved, three had no benefit, and one felt worse.

Low levels of carnitine and vitamin B12 have been noted in CFS patients, and limited uncontrolled trials have shown improvement in energy levels when these supplements were administered. Studies testing vitamin B12 mainly used an injectable form, but daily use of a sublingual oral tablet for six to eight weeks will be enough to get your levels quite high.

The Also Beneficial supplements can be used as the situation requires. If you feel that you're getting too many infections, consider adding immune-boosting echinacea in a two weeks on/one week off rotation.

St. John's Wort is an effective antidepressant with fewer side effects than prescription counterparts. Since this herb takes about four to six weeks to reach maximum effectiveness, you might prefer the more costly SAMe with a faster onset of action.

As the adrenal glands are frequently affected in CFS, try to get your blood level of DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) measured and correct the level to normal.

For special consideration

If you experience a combination of depression, anxiety and insomnia, it may be more beneficial for you to take Celexil, which combines St. John's Wort and 5-HTP with essential B vitamins and magnesium.

If sleep is a significant issue for you, consider taking 5-HTP (100-300 mg at bedtime). Or talk to your doctor about a good prescription sleeping pill, such as zolpidem (Ambien) or zaleplon (Sonata).

If your life is unusually stressful, setting off your CFS, try the natural relaxer kava (250 mg three times a day).

If your symptoms include dry eyes, dry mouth, dry skin, or dry hair, add essential fatty acids (3,000-8000 mg a day), found in fish oil capsules or flaxseed oil.

If you're uncertain that your digestive system is deriving the maximum benefit from the healthful food you're eating, try digestive enzymes (1-2 capsules with meals).

Important:

It is strongly recommend that everyone take a high-potency multivitamin/mineral and well-balanced antioxidant complex every day. It may be necessary to adjust the dosages outlined below to account for your own daily vitamin regimen. All supplement recommendations also assume you are eating a healthful diet.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid
100-200 mg a day

Carnitine
500-1,000 mg 3 times a day

Coenzyme Q10
100 mg a day

Licorice
400-450 mg a day or 1 tsp. liquid extract a day

Magnesium
400 mg twice a day

NADH
2.5 mg twice a day for 10 days or one package, then 5 mg twice a day

Ginseng
400 mg every morning

Vitamin B12
1,000 mg a day

Vitamin C
500-2,000 mg 3 times a day

DHEA
25 mg once a day for two months, then reduce to 1-2 times a week

Echinacea
400-600 mg a day

SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine)
400 mg twice a day

St. John's Wort
450 mg twice a day or 300 mg 3 times a day

Celexil
495 mg twice daily, increase to three or four times daily as necessary