Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Description

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome involves constant, disabling Fatigue which is not relieved by bed rest.  There is presently no agreement within medical or naturopathic disciplines as to the cause of CFS.

 Chronic Fatigue Syndrome affects 0.3% to 1.0% of the population of Western nations.

 Chronic Fatigue Syndrome primarily afflicts (white) women between the ages 25 and 45 (it occurs in women 1½ times more often than it occurs in men).

Cardiovascular System

 Many CFS patients experience (orthostatic) Hypotension.  ^[2]

Enzymes

 CFS patients often have reduced Aspartate Aminotransferase activity (this is believed to be due to lowered Vitamin B6 activity).  ^[3]

Immune System

 Adenitis (swollen Lymph Nodes) may occur as a symptom of CFS.

 Slight Fever may occur as a symptom of CFS.

 Recurrent Sore Throats (Pharyngitis) may occur as one of the symptoms of CFS.

Metabolism

 Chronic (prolonged) Fatigue is the primary symptom of CFS - the usual definition of Fatigue used for the diagnosis of CFS is Fatigue of new onset lasting more than six months with a 50% reduction in activity.

Musculoskeletal System

 Muscle Pain may occur as a symptom of CFS.  ^[4]

 Muscle Weakness may occur as a symptom of CFS.

Nervous System

 Many CFS patients experience Anxiety.

 Impaired Concentration ability may occur as a result of CFS.  ^[5]

 Poor Attention Span may occur as one of the symptoms of CFS.  ^[6]

 Depression may occur as a symptom of CFS.

 Headache may occur as a symptom of CFS.  ^[7]

 Memory impairment may occur as a symptom of CFS.  ^[8]

 Many CFS patients have severely disrupted and insufficient quantities of Slow-Wave Sleep.  CFS patients’ Slow-Wave Sleep is often of the type known as Alpha/Delta Sleep (characterized by a mixture of Delta Waves and Alpha Waves instead of purely Delta Waves).  ^[9]

Alkaloids

 Galanthamine (16 mg per day) may reduce Pain and Fatigue in CFS patients.  ^[10]

Amino Acids

 Carnitine (1,000 - 3,000 mg per day) may be of benefit to CFS patients (due to the fact that most CFS patients exhibit significantly lower levels of serum Carnitine).  Clinical trials using supplemental Carnitine have shown Carnitine to improve many of the symptoms of CFS:  ^[11]

 Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC) (1,000 - 2,000 mg per day) may increase Energy levels in many CFS patients.  ^[12]

 Propionyl-L-Carnitine may alleviate CFS. ^[13]

 Creatine Monohydrate may be useful for the treatment of CFS.  ^[14]

 CFS patients often have low levels of Cysteine.  Supplemental Cysteine may be useful for CFS patients because of its ability to lower Methemoglobin levels and to contribute to the production of Glutathione.  ^[15]

 Phenylalanine (1,500 mg per day) may alleviate CFS symptoms in some people (by increasing the body’s production of Norepinephrine).  ^[16]

 Many CFS patients are found to have sub-optimal Serine levels (indicating that supplemental Serine (2,000 mg per day) may be useful for the treatment of CFS).  ^[17]

 Tyrosine (1,500 mg per day) may alleviate CFS symptoms in some people (by increasing the body’s production of Norepinephrine).  ^[18]

Auxins

 Indole-3-Carbinol may alleviate some of the symptoms of CFS Syndrome. 

Carbohydrates

 Glycoproteins (a combination of the eight Monosaccharides that are present in Glycoproteins) may improve Immune System function in CFS patients.  ^[19]

 Heparin (administered via intravenous infusion) may alleviate CFS (due to its ability to counteract excessive Thrombin that has been implicated in CFS. 

 Ribose may be useful for reducing Fatigue and increasing Energy in CFS patients.  ^[20]

Coenzymes

 Supplemental NADH may alleviate CFS.  ^[21]

Hormones

 Supplemental Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA) may increase Energy levels in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients and may reduce the neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with CFS.  Many CFS patients have low serum DHEA levels.  ^[22]

 Melatonin may help to correct the impairment of Slow Wave Sleep (deep Sleep) experienced by CFS patients.  ^[23]

 Low (free) Testosterone levels are found in may CFS patients.  ^[24]

 It is speculated that replacement doses of Thyroid Hormones may alleviate CFS (based on the theory that the underlying cause of CFS may be Hypothyroidism).  ^[25]

Lipids

 A combination of Fatty Acids (comprising Linoleic Acid, Gamma-Linolenic Acid, Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) at a total dosage of 4,000 mg per day) may improve the condition of CFS patients:  ^[26]

 Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) may improve the condition of CFS patients.  ^[27]

Minerals

 Germanium (150 – 1,000 mg per day) may be useful for the treatment of CFS (due to Germanium’s ability to stimulate the production of Interferon Gamma).  ^[28]