I have had symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome for 3 months now. I am very fatigued after any form of exertion. After a good nights sleep, I don’t feel my body is refreshed. Are there any vitamins I can take that can give me any sort of energy?
Here’s what I have for you regarding chronic fatigue"
Possible causes of chronic fatigue:
* Environmental Toxins
If you can’t find another source of fatigue, you may be suffering from exposure to indoor pollutants. The usual culprits…
- Benzene - Found in linoleum and degreasers
- Formaldehyde - Found in carpets and drapes
- Lead - Found in tap water and house paint
- Nitrogen Dioxide - Released by kerosene heaters, gas stoves and furnaces
- Mercury - Found in dental fillings and some house paints
- Trichloroethylene - Used in dry-cleaning. Have your home tested for environmental toxins.
Consider having your doctor test your blood and hair. If traces of toxins are found, add the following to your diet; Selenium, Vitamin E, Beta-carotene, Garlic and Sodium Alginate. They help rid the body of toxic metals. Cilantro and Chlorella also are very effective at removing heavy metals.
Sugar
In many cases, fatigue is the result of eating too much sugar. Sugar and refined carbohydrates make your blood sugar rise. This signals the pancreas to produce insulin. Too much insulin leads to "hypoglycemia" (low blood sugar), which causes extreme fatigue.
Nutritional Approaches
Although there is no known cure for CFS, certain nutrients in foods may help. Doctors stress the importance of a well-balanced diet.
Start with ample starches - Fruits and vegetables help to provide the carbohydrates the body needs for energy. They also supply the vitamins needed to resist infection.
Avoid alcohol - It lowers immunity, so should be avoided, and caffeinated drinks should be used in moderation to minimize sleep problems.
Eat to strengthen your immune system - Foods rich in zinc, such as seafood( especially oysters), meats, poultry, eggs, milk, beans, nuts, and whole grains, as well as foods rich in Vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, berries, melons, kiwis, broccoli, and cauliflower, may help keep the immune system working properly. A sound immune system can help ward off certain viruses, such as flu and colds that may possibly precede the onset of CFS.
Consume more fatty acids - Some of the symptoms of CFS include swollen glands and inflammation of the joints, which may be relieved temporarily by foods rich in essential fatty acids. These include fish, nuts, seeds, flaxseed and flaxseed oil, canola oil, wheat germ, and leafy green vegetables.
Take Magnesium - Fully 90-95% of us are deficient in magnesium and fatigue is one of the symptoms associated with magesium deficiency. Magnesium is also associated with the contraction and relaxation of muscles. Getting more of the mineral may help alleviate muscle tenderness in people with CFS. Good food sources include sunflower seeds, avocados, and amaranth.
Supergreen foods, widely available in powder form, couldhelp significantly. I like the Dr. Schulze formula if you can find it.
Blackstrap molasses might be good healthy addition.
To treat hormone-related fatigue, reduce your consumption of alcohol, meat and dairy products. Eat more dietary fiber and less sugar and refined foods. Take supplements of "gamma linolenic acid(GLA). GLA is found in primrose oil, borage oil and black currant seed oil. All are available at health-food stores.
Many people report increased energy when they take plant derived trace minerals, as do people who take a product called OxyGen.
Other helpful supplements include Vitamin B-15 (or Vitamin B complex), L-carnitine, Octacosanol, a wheat germ extract, and ginseng.
Finally, it may be a very good idea to take a comprehensive whole food derived nutritonal product such as intraMAX or Dr. Mercola’s Whole Food Multi-Vitamin Plus to insure that you have no deficiencies in any nutrient and get plenty of immune and energy boosting items (intraMAX contains 415 different nutrients).
Good luck!