Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Natural Measures Can Help Combat This Debilitating Condition

We all feel tired from time to time, sometimes without any apparent reason. Yet, imagine if despite getting lots of sleep your fatigue persisted for several months?

Your eyelids would feel permanently heavy, youd have trouble concentrating and even the smallest of tasks would seem like a major effort. All youd want to do is find a place to curl up and go to sleep. 

This type of profound fatigue is experienced by sufferers of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), which causes overwhelming tiredness that can last for months or even years in some cases.

The condition can be extremely debilitating and isolating, as it can force sufferers to give up work and social activities completely and leave them totally housebound. 

Doctors estimate that there are approximately 120,000 CFS sufferers in the UK. It tends to be most prevalent in women, especially those in
their 30s, although it is not known why this is the case.

CFS a condition that continues to baffle doctors and scientists
The exact cause of CFS remains unknown, although researchers believe that a number of contributory factors may be involved. These include hormonal imbalances (such as an under-active thyroid), and viral infections (such as the Epstein-Barr and herpes VI virus) which are thought to trigger the condition when the immune system becomes compromised.

This lack of knowledge about what causes the condition is made worse by the fact that there are currently no tests that can diagnose it properly. However, it is still important that you see your doctor if you are suffering from extreme tiredness as this can be a symptom of a number of other conditions such as diabetes, depression, early cancer, heart disease, obesity, infection or allergy.

A CFS diagnosis is made only when medical conditions like these have been ruled out, and when the patient is suffering from severe tiredness and lack of energy lasting six months or longer, in addition to four or more of the following symptoms:

Poor memory or concentration
Muscle aches and pains
Joint pain without swelling
Sore throat and swollen glands
Headaches that were not present before the fatigue started
Un-refreshing sleep
Feeling unwell for over 24 hours following moderate exercise

In addition, the condition can lower immunity and result in frequent infections and cause
depression, diarrhoea, anxiety, abdominal pains and bloating, nausea and dizziness.

Conventional treatments can cause adverse effects like insomnia and anxiety
There is currently no cure for the condition and most treatments are simply aimed at alleviating the symptoms it causes.

Anti-inflammatory drugs such as piroxicam and ibuprofen are often recommended to help reduce muscle and joint pain, but they can cause side-effects like diarrhoea and indigestion.

Doctors routinely prescribe antidepressants as well in order to improve sleep patterns, reduce feelings of tiredness and generally boost mood. However, these drugs can have harmful side-effects that aggravate other symptoms of CFS such as anxiety, headaches, insomnia, dry mouth and constipation.

Nutritional supplements can accelerate your recovery and prevent energy dips
Vitamin B complex: B vitamins are essential for energy production and are frequently low in people with CFS. They are also needed for brain function and can help relieve depression. Take one vitamin B complex tablet each day.

Co-enzyme Q10. This nutrient is necessary for the production of energy inside your cells. It is found in several foods such as sardines, mackerel, soya and walnuts. To take CoQ10 in supplement form the dose is 30mg two to four times a day. Taking CoQ10 with a small amount of fat, such as one tablespoon of flaxseed oil, makes it easier
to absorb.

NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), also called vitamin B3, is another nutrient that plays an important role in energy production. In a two-year study involving patients with CFS, those who were treated with NADH experienced considerable improvements in their symptoms, particularly during the first three months of the treatment (Santaella ML, Font I, Disdier OM. P R Health Sci J. 2004 Jun;23(2):89-93). The recommended dosage for NADH is 5mg daily.

Evening primrose oil is also proving successful in the fight against CFS. In a three-month study, researchers from the University of Sheffield, Section of Psychiatry, Northern General Hospital, compared a group of CFS patients who took evening primrose oil to a placebo group. At the end of the study, 85 per cent of the patients taking evening primrose oil experienced significant improvements in their symptoms (Warren G, McKendrick M, Peet M. Acta Neurol Scand. 1999 Feb; 99(2):112-6).

It is not known how evening primrose oil improves CFS symptoms, although some scientists believe it may work by reducing inflammation inside the cells. The recommended dosage for evening primrose oil is 250mg a day.

Beat Fatigue And Boost Flagging Energy Levels
Pace yourself while moderate exercise can be beneficial too much can make you feel worse. Over-exercising can set you back for days afterwards and aggravate your tiredness. However, a certain amount is needed to build up your muscle strength and stamina. Aim to take mild, regular exercise whether this is a gentle swim, a spot of gardening or walking to your local shops and back. Build up your exercise levels gradually but as soon as you feel the tiredness kicking in you should stop and have a rest.

Learn how to lower your stress levels and relax. Yoga and Tai Chi are good ways of combating fatigue as they reduce anxiety, relax your muscles and nervous system, and re-balance neurotransmitters chemicals which pass information from one part of your brain to another.  For example, they help reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which is often high in patients with CFS and is known to deplete energy levels in the long-term.

Your diet plays an important role in regulating your energy levels. Steer clear of caffeine and refined carbohydrates, which upset your blood sugar levels. Despite giving you a temporary energy boost they ultimately make your symptoms worse, especially anxiety, depression and lack of energy.  Instead, drink at least two litres of water to keep your body hydrated, as dehydration is a common cause of fatigue. You should also eat plenty of tryptophan-rich foods like turkey, lentils, beans, seeds and nuts, as low levels of this amino acid can cause tiredness, depression and mental confusion.