September 2003
Nutrients Fight Chronic Fatigue
and Fibromyalgia
Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM) are two illnesses with many similarities. They share some of the same disabling symptoms, such as excessive fatigue, fitfull sleep, and mental "fogginess." They frequently overlap, meaning a person with CFS often will have FM, and vice-versa. Both illnesses affect thousands of people creating overwhelming misery, problems at work, and burdens on the family. And, sadly, they have been difficult to diagnose and difficult to understand.
Because people with CFS/FM often look fairly healthy but feel miserable, and because many of their symptoms aren't visible, both physicians and family members may tend to underestimate the amount of suffering that's actually occurring. However, ongoing research has led to improved understanding that both CFS and FM are serious and disabling illnesses. Researchers are learning valuable information about what may be causing these illnesses and how best to treat them. This information is also shattering the misconceptions surrounding them.
One significant research finding is that both CFS and FM are closely linked to nutrition. Deficiencies of certain vitamins have been found. Poor amino acid utilization may also be present. And the immune systems of people with CFS and/or FM may need serious nutritional support. Leading CFS and FM researchers have discovered that a combination of conventional medications and nutritional supplements effectively reduce CFS and FM symptoms. Several herbs, vitamins, and other nutritional supplements provide excellent CFS/FM symptom relief. The chart above shows how these select supplements work in CFS/FM.
Studies have shown that many people with CFS/CM are lacking many of the B vitamins. This deficiency can make many symptoms worse. For example, niacinamide is a B vitamin that helps the body's energy furnace. Niacinamide can improve fatigue and help clear mental fogginess.
| Supplement | Effects on CFS/FM |
| Vitamin E | Relieves pain and improves night leg cramps. |
| Vitamin C | Boosts the immune system and reduces infections. |
| Vitamin D | Helps immune cells work more effectively. |
| Magnesium | Helps immunity and relieves muscle pain. |
| Inositol | Enhances immune function by increasing natural killer cells (important immune cells). |
| Malic Acid | Magnesium with malic acid improves energy levels. |
| Amino Acids: Glycine, Serine, Taurine, Tyrosine | Amino acids are essential for energy production which also help with mental concentration. |
| Zinc | Helps prevent infections and keep the immune system strong. |
| Selenium | Helps immune cells work better |
| Fructooligosaccharides | Provide nutrition for the "good bacteria" in intestinal tract and improve digestion. |
Thiamine helps keep muscles pain free. Vitamin B6 is critical to energy production. Pantothenic acid also improves energy levels. Folic acid aids in mental clarity and concentration. And vitamin B12 helps improve nerve and brain function.
Getting a good night sleep can dramatically improve the symptoms of CFS/FM. Herbs, such as passion flower, wild lettuce, hops, and Jamaican dogwood often make people feel drowsy. Valerian is an herb that has been used for many years to help people sleep better. The amino acid L-theanine helps muscles relax and improves sleep. When these natural herbs and L-theanine are taken together, people with CFS/FM often fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up feeling refreshed.
These herbs, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids work together synergistically in CFS and FM. The result? Improved sleep, reduced pain, increased energy, and fewer infections.
The disheartening fatigue and disabling pain of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia share one more similarity--they can both be effectively reduced. The specifically formulated combination of herbs, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids can help people with CFS and FM live better and healthier lives. For more information go to www.jacobteitelbaum.com.
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