What vitamins can I take for fatigue?

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!

7 Responses

  1. Nurse For 20 Years Says:

    A good B complex vitamin or specifically B12 is very effective in combatting stress and fatigue. Just remember to include good diet and plenty of sleep.
    References :

  2. Tony I Says:

    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!
    References :

  3. missinformed_99 Says:

    A good multivitamin in general may help some. Vitamin B12 specifically is known to help the whole nervous system as far as energy goes in helping with digestion. Here is some interesting info I learned from a psychology class though. In the mid 1800s there was a similar diagnosis called neurasthenia. Some experts believe this is the same disease that mostly affects women, but with a different name in modern times.

    It mostly affects women who are constantly stressed with trying to be "super woman". It may be the body’s way of reacting to stress even though mentally you may not realize when you are getting stressed or you deny it. So far the only proven "remedy" has been psychotherapy in learning stress management techniques and maybe dealing with past or present issues that may be negatively affecting you.

    It just goes back to that old saying… listen to your body. When it needs rest, then it needs rest to de-stres even though your mind and motivation are determined to keep going. I know you are already stressed as is because of the condition you have, but this is just some info that may empower you to finding the right path. One of the reasons the researchers may have found a viral infection of sorts in some studies could indicate that the person’s stress lowered the body’s immune function which commonly goes hand-in-hand with stress. I hope this helps and I hope you find relief soon!!!!
    References :
    abnormal psychology class (this doesn’t mean you’re not normal!! ppl tend to mislabel themselves so pls don’t do this! most psychological diagnosis is for insurance purposes only and a better idea on how to treat the symptoms)

  4. Patrick Says:

    Natural herbal and homeopathic remedies can be a great help when trying to combat fatigue. There are a number of herbal ingredients that work naturally to energize and balance the body and mind while helping to increase strength and endurance.

    Herbs such as Siberian Ginseng, Olea europea (extract of olive leaf) and Centella asiatica are commonly used to fight fatigue and boost energy without negative side effects - like those possible with pharmaceutical or dietary stimulants.

    These herbal ingredients can be taken to naturally assist overall systemic functioning, help to balance all body systems naturally and are often taken by athletes, those suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome, those recovering from illness (convalescence) or those that need the extra boost to help manage a busy life-style.

    Get detailed info on the above here http://www.healthherbsandnutrition.com/remedies/f/fatigue.htm
    References :

  5. Jaeger Says:

    If none of these solutions aren’t working, I recommend you trying the Nutrilite® Rhodiola.
    http://jrabanes.qhealthzone.com/products/product.aspx?itemno=101593

    Nutrilite® Rhodiola is designed to help maximize mental and physical performance during exercise. Research suggests that it may also shorten recovery time after exercise by improving your body’s stress response system. The central ingredient in this supplement is rhodiola rosea, an Arctic herb used as an all-purpose adaptogenic tonic since ancient times. More recently, Russian scientists have studied its ability to enhance performance and reduce stress.

    Rhodiola 110 also contains natural caffeine from green tea extract. In combination with rhodiola rosea, this may help promote more vigorous workouts and more energy-filled days.

    Jaeger Rabanes
    Independent Business Owner
    http://jrabanes.qhealthzone.com
    Jaeger.Rabanes@gmail.com
    References :

  6. Avinash Says:

    Vitamin B12
    References :

  7. Dr. Bill Rawls Says:

    I have helped many patients to recover from chronic fatigue, and actually struggled with fibromyalgia myself for many years. I have written a detoxification protocol ( http://fdnhhealth.com/groups/63-detoxification-protocol ) that many patients find helps them feel better immediately. There are very effective nutraceutical supplements that can help you to feel better. Please see my health brief (link listed below) and read the nutraceutical tabs for more information.

    Know that recovery IS possible and you can feel better if you follow the advice listed in my health brief. I wish you the best and please contact me with any specific questions! -Bill Rawls, M.D.
    References :
    http://fdnhhealth.com/groups/9-chronic-fatigue-fibromyalgia

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