Everyone gets tired. If you pull an all-nighter studying, have a tough basketball game, or don’t sleep well, you are sure to feel the effects the next day. This is normal fatigue, which usually gets better with rest.
Chronic fatigue is different. It is a bone-deep feeling of tiredness that does not go away even after resting. It feels a lot like your batteries don’t charge up to 100 per cent even after being plugged in for a long time. What is even worse is that what little energy you do get from resting would not even last long.
But don’t lose hope. There are ways to combat this debilitating feeling of tiredness, including taking supplements.
Here, we’ll walk you through the basics of the condition and how it is treated, highlighting the best supplements for chronic fatigue you can try.
What is Chronic Fatigue?
Chronic fatigue, sometimes called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), is a long-term illness that affects many body systems.
The main symptom is overwhelming fatigue that does not get better with rest and can even worsen following a physical or mental activity (known as post-exertional malaise or PEM). It’s like doing something mundane (like walking to the store) and then feeling completely wiped out for days afterward. This condition can last for six months or more.
Other symptoms include:
- Sleeping problems - Insomnia, feeling like you didn’t sleep well, or oversleeping
- Brain fog - Concentration, thinking and memory issues
Some people with this condition may also experience flu-like symptoms, like headache, fever, and muscle or joint pain.
The primary cause of chronic fatigue syndrome remains uncertain. However, experts believe it can be triggered by a combination of the following factors:
- Genetics
- Physical or emotional trauma
- Viral or bacterial infections
- Energy usage problems (i.e., issues converting sugars and fats into energy)
Chronic fatigue syndrome can affect anyone, but young adults and middle-agers are most susceptible. A postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome or fibromyalgia diagnosis can also increase your risk of having the condition.
Statistics also show that there are more women diagnosed with CFS, although this may be because they are more likely to report their symptoms than men.
Chronic Fatigue: How to Overcome It
There is no known cure for the condition. But what helps chronic fatigue patients is relieving the symptoms. That said, the recommended treatment focuses on three things:
- Energy management
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Medication for pain and sleeping issues
Doctors also advise people with CFS to adapt their activity patterns and daily routine for the long term, as there will be instances when they feel better or worse.
Best Supplements for Chronic Fatigue
In this section, we’ll cover the best vitamin supplements for chronic fatigue:
GcMAF
Globulin component macrophage-activating factor (GcMAF) is a naturally occurring protein that can help with chronic fatigue.
Some researchers believe that people with chronic fatigue may have macrophages that are not working as well as they should be. This means they may not be effectively clearing out anything that could be contributing to the illness, like lingering infections or other immune system imbalances that can contribute to chronic fatigue.
Another aspect to consider is that the elevated monocytes (the immune cells that mature into macrophages) could be in a state of chronic activation in ME/CFS, which contributes to inflammation without effectively resolving the underlying issues.
By "tuning" the macrophages that develop from these monocytes, GcMAF could help them mature into a more balanced and effective phenotype, potentially reducing some of the problematic signaling coming from the monocytes.
Studies show that the GcMAF treatment for CFS can also reduce inflammation by activating and optimising the following macrophage functions:
- Phagocytosis - Macrophages get rid of pathogens by engulfing them.
- Antigen presentation - Macrophages improve immune cell communication for a more targeted immune response.
Macrophages clean up after an inflammation, preventing it from continuing indefinitely. So if you’re experiencing this chronic fatigue symptom, taking GcMAF supplements may make you feel a bit better.
CoQ10
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is among the most commonly used supplements for chronic fatigue syndrome. This natural antioxidant is known to alleviate pain and help with muscle weakness by increasing the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the “energy currency” for the cells.
Studies revealed the great potential this supplement has for chronic fatigue patients. However, it took about three months for CFS patients to experience the positive impact of taking the supplement.
Iron
The human body requires iron to produce haemoglobin, the red blood cell component responsible for moving oxygen throughout the body. When there’s a shortage of oxygen in the blood, the muscles and other organs cannot function normally, leading to shortness of breath and fatigue.
But having iron deficiency or anaemia doesn’t necessarily mean you have CFS (and vice versa). It’s also not advisable to take iron supplements if you don’t lack iron. To be sure, consult your doctor first.
B-Vitamins
B vitamins have also been associated with energy levels. This group of micronutrients includes thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folic acid (B9), and cobalamin (B12).
The human body uses some of these vitamins, particularly thiamine and niacin, to make and use the energy-giving ATP.
That said, taking B-complex vitamins may help if you have low energy. However, this may not make any difference if your B-vitamin levels are normal. Again, it’s best to consult a medical professional before taking supplements to help with chronic fatigue.
Replenish Your Energy
Chronic fatigue can leave you feeling constantly drained, making even simple tasks feel monumental. While there is no magic bullet cure for this condition, exploring strategies on how to manage chronic fatigue, like supplementation, can offer hope. Supplements like GcMAF, CoQ10, iron, and B vitamins are being investigated for their potential to support energy levels and well-being.
Ready to explore options that might help you reclaim your energy? Dive deeper into potential treatments like GcMAF capsules and discuss them with your doctor.
Author
Dr Toshio Inui
Doctor, expert in internal medicine and worldwide authority on GcMAF treatments, Dr. Inui is the visiting professor at Kagoshima University. He has dedicated his career to developing innovative treatments using MAF, and has 22 research works and 266 citations into macrophage activating factors.