chronic fatigue syndrome medication, drug, remedies & supplements

Helpful Supplements For ME/CFS

Which supplements should you take when you suffer from ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Read the Sleepydust Editor's personal reviews of what has helped her in her fight with ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ...

I've had so many questions about which herbal remedies and nutritional supplements help Fibromyalgia and/or ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome that I thought I'd dedicate a page to some of the nutritional supplements that I have tried and/or have helped me so far.

Remember though, I'm a ME/CFS sufferer but I'm not medically trained so please do your own research and check it out with your own doctor before you take any supplement or use any product mentioned in Sleepydust.

It's also worth noting that just because a supplement, drug, medication or remedy has worked for me, it does not necessarily mean it will work for you. Unfortunately, when it comes to ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, what might work for one sufferer, might not work for another. So please bear this in mind. Still, I hope this section gives you a few ideas.

This page is continually being added to, so please do check back for new additions. Alternatively, you can subscribe to the FREE, popular Sleepydust Emagazine (newsletter) here...

Pure Synergy is made up of over 60 nutrients. When my kinesiologist tested my supplements on me (to see which ones I reacted to badly, and which ones raised my vital force) - this supplement was the only nutritional supplement that noticeably raised my vital force.

You can read more reviews about Pure Synergy here...

A Good Book On Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Supplements & Nutrition

I think the best thing any sufferer can do first and foremost is sort out what they eat - and what they don't eat (equally as important). A good introduction to this is the book by Christine Craggs Hinton.

You can read my review of this book here!

Useful Supplements For ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:: Human Growth Hormone Releasers

Human Growth Hormone Releasers didn't work for me, but they have had amazing results for many other sufferers. A study that tested the effects of a specific Human Growth Hormone Releaser supplement on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Sufferers revealed amazing results.

To find out more about this Human Growth Hormone Releaser study (GHS Vespro), click here...

A regular visitor to the Sleepydust Forum, Michaela, also kindly wrote two reviews of how positively they have helped her. You can read her reviews here...

And to find out which releaser of Human Growth Hormones is best, and where to get them from, click here.

Useful Supplements For ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:: Melatonin

Melatonin is your natural 'sleep hormone' that your brain produces when it gets dark. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia sufferers have been shown to have abnormal levels of melatonin.

And many ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia specialists, including Dr Charles Shepherd, suggest that sufferers try a low dose of melatonin supplements before bedtime, to help them sleep.

In fact, melatonin supplements are used to treat insomnia and jetlag!

I take melatonin when I can't sleep. It does help me to sleep sometimes - unless I have really bad insomnia.

The only downside is that sometimes (not all the time) - it gives me really vivid dreams - really wierd ones! But that's nothing if it's in exchange for a good night's sleep!

To read more reviews about melatonin, click here!

Useful Book About Fatigue & Nutrition : Natural Energy Book

'Natural Energy' explains how your body goes about producing your energy (very interesting if you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia).

Then, the authors suggest different 'energy packs' (vitamins and minerals) that will boost your energy levels. All the energy packs are based on combinations of L-Carnitine and Co-Q10. Extra supplements are recommended depending on the type of fatigue you experience.

What I like about this book is that the 'energy pack' programs are tailor-made to suit your individual needs. You just find the category that sounds most like you (brain fog, tired when waking, tired in general etc.), and follow the appropriate supplement program.

It's worth noting that, although this book is definitely worth reading, the supplement packs the authors recommend are very expensive because of the L-Carnitine and Co-Q10. That's the downside.

It's also worth noting that 'Natural Energy' is based on energy levels and fatigue, but not specifically on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome .

But I do like this book, and thinks it's well worth a read if you do have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome .

Why?

Because I think it explains really well how our cells produce energy. In that respect, it really has helped me to understand what is happening in my body.

You can find out more about 'Natural Energy' here...

Nutrition For ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:: Juicing

OK this isn't a chronic fatigue syndrome supplement but juicing is something I swear by. Whenever I feel terrible, I drink a pint or two of fresh vegetable and/or fruit juice and it's amazing how much better it makes me feel. OK it's not a cure but it certainly helps.

I'm talking about FRESH juice here - the type you drink within 5 minutes of it being juiced. Not supermarket stuff. So for this you'd need to buy a juicer (not a blender).

Useful Supplements For ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:: Echinacea

There are a few people who can't take echinacea (I think diabetics can't, for example) - but if you can take it then echinacea should be one of the first things on your list.

If a cold or any virus even threatens to take over your body, take your echinacea tablets (or echinacea tea - 100%) and it will help to get rid of it - sometimes it even prevents it if you get it early enough.

I like BioForce's echinacea tablets, and the 100% echinacea tincture teabags you get from Holland and Barret.

You can read my full review about the benefits of echinacea here...

Useful Supplements For ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:: Vitamin C

I take BioCare's Vitamin C Crystals with Magnesium Ascorbate (which helps the vitamin C to be absorbed in your body). You dilute the crystals into fruit juice or water.

It is best to take Vitamin C (and any vitamin or mineral for that matter) in liquid form because that way, it's better absorbed into your body. In my humble opinion, Vitamin C is a MUST if you have ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

But as with taking any nutritional supplements or medication, check with your doctor first, just to be on the safe side.

Useful Supplements For ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:: St Johns Wort

If you're depressed then St Johns Wort may be an interesting alternative to taking orthodox antidepressants, which can have some nasty side effects.

There's a small section on St Johns Wort on sleepydust.net. Make sure you check it out before you decide whether to give St Johns Wort a try because it has some interesting info in it!

To find out about the side effects of antidepressants (depression medicine), click here...

To find out more about St Johns Wort, click here...

Useful Supplements For ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:: Rhodiola

I've not researched this much yet but this essentially lifts your mood. I've read claims that Rhodiola is also (apparently) quite a good supplement for ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome .

I myself took it for a while and didn't really notice a difference at all. But it might be that I didn't take enough of it. Also, what doesn't work for me, might actually work for you. So it's something to bear in mind.

I will research Rhodiola further and write a review about Rhodiola here at some point. If you'd like to be notified when this review is online, please feel free to subscribe to the free Sleepydust Emagazine (newsletter) here!

Useful Supplements For ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:: Hawthorn

I've had good results from taking Hawthorn capsules. Hawthorn is apparently good for heart palpitations, anxiety and insomnia.

I have been taking Hawthorn for a while now and it has indeed helped with my heart palpitations and insomnia (both can be ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms).

I also feel that Hawthorn has been good for my overall well-being. So it's a thumbs-up for the Hawthorn from me!

Useful Supplements For ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:: Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Recent medical studies at Hammersmith Hospital in London have suggested that ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers have an imbalance of two key chemicals in their brains - choline and creatine.

Researchers suggest that taking fish oil supplements (rich in omega-3 fatty acids) might correct the chemical imbalance. Other alternatives, such as sprinkling flaxseeds (linseeds) or flaxseed oil (linseed oil) over your meals, may also be helpful since they too are rich in Omega 3 Fatty Acids.

At the moment, I take the 'Eskimo' brand of Omega 3 Fish Oils. They are very high quality and don't leave that horrid fishy taste after you take them!

When I don't take Omega 3 Fatty Acids, I notice my joints are a lot more painful (particularly in my hands) and I can't grip things so well. So taking Omega Three Fatty Acids, definitely helps me.

Useful Supplements For ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:: Liquid Iron , Liquid CoQ10 & Liquid Vitamin B12

My nutritionist/kinesiologist and I both established that I better absorb nutrients when they were in liquid form.

Obviously juicing is the best answer for absorbing nutrients into your body, and that is probably why I always feel (relatively) better after I drink a pint of freshly juiced fruit and vegetable juice.

But as ME/ Chronic Fatigue Sufferers, we do have nutritional deficiencies that just juicing alone probably won't solve adequately. So taking liquid supplements can fill in those nutritional 'holes'.

My nutritionist/ kinesiologist precribed liquid iron, liquid CoQ10 and liquid vitamin B12 (all by BioCare) at a time when I was feeling particularly weak. I could not even walk with a walking stick for a few paces. One of the lowest points of my illness I think.

I also had a trip to France planned. How on earth was I going to manage that???

Well the liquid iron, liquid CoQ10 and liquid vitamin B12 really had an amazing effect on me. They fortified me - I actually felt stronger. It wasn't a cure - and not even a dramatic improvement, but my condition definitely improved somewhat. And as you know, if you're severely affected with ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, even the smallest improvement can make a massive difference.

These 3 liquid supplements, along with the Pure Synergy will always be on my shelf.

What Else Should You Know About Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Supplements?

You should always check with your doctor before taking any new medication or nutritional supplements.

Also, the supplements listed above are what I have used over the course of my illness. Some worked better than others. And some of them may not be right for you - because we are all different.

It's also worth noting that your body's needs also change as times goes on. For instance, there are some supplements listed above that I don't take anymore because my body needs other nutritional support.

But the bottom line is to remember this:

When you read any nutritional supplement recommendations (whether in books or on the internet) - remember that everyone is different. In my humble opinion, it's just not possible for someone to recommend a 'blanket' nutritional supplement program that will suit everyone who suffers from ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

For one, your body will need different nutritional supplements at different times, depending on what your body is lacking at that particular time - those needs change over time!

So before you go, please take time to read the next two pages. They cover two topics which I myself was not aware of when I first developed ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and which have made a major difference to how I approach nutritional supplements now.

Category: chronic fatigue syndrome supplements

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