Introduction: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Natural Options
Chronic fatigue syndrome natural options are useful to help improve energy levels according to research. Short term fatigue is expected during periods of extreme exertion or stress, but chronic fatigue requires a medical evaluation with history, physical, and diagnostic testing. If one has experienced severe fatigue for 6 or more consecutive months that interferes with daily tasks, tiredness after activity lasting for over a day, or poor concentration, they may be experiencing chronic fatigue syndrome. Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disorder that limits a person’s ability to do regular daily activities due to lack of energy over an extended period of time. The main symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, in addition to sever fatigue lasting for 6 months or more, may include muscle pain, memory problems, headaches, pain in multiple joints, sleep problems, sore throat, and tender lymph nodes. No one knows what causes chronic fatigue syndrome but it can accompany fibromyalgia and can last for years. Treatment is focused toward the improvement of energy levels. Medicine may treat pain, sleep disorders, and other problems. Lifestyle changes, coping techniques, and a special, gradual exercise program may improve the symptoms. Several Integrative Medicine options are provided below.
Meta-analyses on yoga therapy:
A meta-analysis of 7 randomized controlled trials (n=362) that compared meditative movement therapy interventions (including yoga, tai chi and qigong) to controls found patients with fibromyalgia experienced improvements in sleep, fatigue, depression, and overall quality of life. When yoga was analyzed separately, it was found to be the only therapy that significantly reduced pain, fatigue, depression and limitations to health-related quality of life (HRQOL) at final treatment, demonstrating yoga’s positive impact. No serious adverse events were reported for any of the therapies. (1)
A meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials examining another one of the chronic fatigue syndrome natural options. The study which evaluated yoga for patients with cancer, specifically breast cancer patients, found yoga was associated with reduced stress, anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Furthermore, among participants, yoga moderately increased quality of life, emotional and social function, and functional well-being. Physical function and sleep were not significantly affected. (2)
Natural treatment for fatigue:
Chronic fatigue syndrome natural options includes levocarnitine (L-Carnitine) which is produced within the body from amino acids and is necessary for fatty acid transport and energy production. It is a widely available nutritional supplement which was shown to reduce total fat mass, increase total muscle mass, and have a beneficial effect on fatigue and lipid levels in healthy elderly subjects with rapid muscle fatigue. Participants (n=84) were equally randomized to receive either levocarnitine 2g twice daily or placebo. At the end of the 30-day treatment period, compared to placebo, levocarnitine patients had significant improvement in total fat mass (-3.1 vs -0.5 kg), total muscle mass (2.1 vs 0.2 kg), total cholesterol (-1.2 vs +0.1 mmol/L), LDL cholesterol (-1.1 vs -0.2 mmol/L), HDL cholesterol (0.2 vs 0.01 mmol/L), and triglycerides (-0.3 vs 0.0 mmol/L). Physical and mental fatigue was reduced by 40% and 45%, respectively, in the levocarnitine group. Corresponding reductions in the placebo group were only 11% and 8%. No serious side-effects were reported in either group. (3)
Small study showed natural treatment relieved chronic fatigue:
High cocoa polyphenol rich chocolate may help for chronic fatigue natural options and reduce the burden of the symptoms in chronic fatigue syndrome. Results of a small double-blind, randomized crossover study with 10 individuals indicate that daily consumption of high cocoa liquor/polyphenol rich chocolate (HCL/PR) in the form of a 15 gram bar of 85% cocoa 3 times daily significantly improved symptoms of chronic fatigue, as measured using the Chalder Fatique Scale, after 8 weeks, compared with simulated iso-calorific chocolate (cocoa liquor free/low polyphenols [CLF/LP]). (4)
Summary: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Natural Options
- A meta-analysis reviewed 7 randomized controlled trials which compared meditative therapy to controls and found that fibromyalgia patients receiving the therapy experienced improvements in sleep, fatigue, depression, and overall quality of life. Yoga was described to significantly reduce pain, fatigue, depression and limitations to health-related quality of life (1).
- Another meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials found that yoga reduced stress, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and also increased quality of life, emotional/social function, and well-being (2).
- Levocarnitine (L-carnitine) at a dose of 2 grams twice daily taken by elderly subjects compared to placebo not only reduced physical and mental fatigue by 40% and 45%, respectively, it improved body fat, increased muscle mass, and improved the lipid profile without serious side-effects were reported (3).
- Results of a small double-blind, randomized crossover study indicated that consumption of a 15 gram bar of 85% cocoa, 3 times daily significantly improved symptoms of chronic fatigue (4).
References: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Natural Options
1.Langhorst J, Klose P, Dobos GJ, Bernardy K, Hauser W. Efficacy and safety of meditative movement therapies in fibromyalgia syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Rheumatology International 2013; 33(1): 193-207. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22350253
2.Buffart LM, van Uffelen JG, Riphagen II, et al., Physical and psychosocial benefits of yoga in cancer patients and survivors, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Cancer. 2012 Nov 27;12:559. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23181734
3.Pistone G, Marino A, Leotta C, Dell’Arte S, et al. Levocarnitine administration in elderly subjects with rapid muscle fatigue: effect on body composition, lipid profile and fatigue. Drugs Aging. 2003;20(10):761-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12875611
4.Sathyapalan T, Beckett S, Rigby AS, Mellor DD, Atkin SL. High cocoa polyphenol rich chocolate may reduce the burden of the symptoms in chronic fatigue syndrome. Nutr J. 2010 Nov 22;9:55. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21092175