10 Jan Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and micronutrient
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
What is the role of micronutrient deficiencies in the pathogenesis of this disease?
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is an extremely complex disorder, characterized by a prolonged and intense feeling of fatigue, which cannot be attributed to other diseases and does not subside even after the patient rests.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are the constant feeling of fatigue, which does not improve with rest and does not subside even after long hours of sleep. The patient feels constantly tired, as a result of which it becomes more and more difficult to fulfill his obligations. The person experiences intense discomfort after some relatively mild physical activity, which under normal circumstances would not affect him.
At the same time, problems in the patient’s memory and difficulties in the concentration process can arise. The person is overwhelmed by constant joint pain and feels that his muscles are gradually weakening. Most often, the patient suffers from acute headaches and may more often have a mild fever.
Causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is caused by a variety of different causes, which are interrelated. A weak immune system and hormonal imbalances are parameters to be blamed for causing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, while genetic and environmental factors are involved in the development of the syndrome.
Furthermore, stress and age may play a role in the development of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Micronutrients and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Lack of energy and a feeling of constant exhaustion are signs and symptoms that occur in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It has been suggested, therefore, that these symptoms are due to a deficiency in the body’s supply of vitamins or other micronutrients, and that such deficiencies play a role in the pathogenesis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Scientific findings show that patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have lower concentrations of vitamins A and E in their body, as opposed to healthy individuals. It has also been shown that deficiencies in some nutrients, such as vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, sodium, magnesium, zinc, folic acid, carnitine, tryptophan, some essential fatty acids and CoQ10, are largely responsible for the worsening of the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Various studies have been conducted in order to determine the role of vitamins in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, to investigate how they reduce the symptoms and to improve the quality of life of patients. Nevertheless, there is a large percentage of patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome who take vitamins recklessly. A typical example is Americans, who spend $ 36.7 billion a year on vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients.
It becomes clear that taking vitamins and other micronutrients can be beneficial for people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but only if it is based on scientific data and the results of specialized diagnostic tests. In addition, any micronutrient intake should be an integral part of an overall personalized therapeutic approach, with the ultimate goal of eliminating symptoms and causes of this disease.
Dr. Nikoleta Koini, M.D.
Doctor of Functional, Preventive, Anti-ageing and Restorative Medicine.
Diplomate and Board Certified in Anti-aging, Preventive, Functional and Regenerative Medicine from A4M (American Academy in Antiaging Medicine).
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5409455/, Vitamin and mineral status in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30551349, Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): Suggestions for a nutritional treatment in the therapeutic approach.
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