Chronic fatigue: Can a natural remedy boost my energy?

 

Are there any natural remedies that reduce chronic fatigue associated with chronic fatigue syndrome? Answers from Brent A. Bauer, M.D. Researchers have evaluated a variety of natural products for effectiveness against chronic fatigue syndrome. Most results have been disappointing. A few remedies — such as magnesium injected into the muscles for people with low red blood cell magnesium, a combination of fish oil and evening primrose oil, melatonin, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrate (NADH), coenzyme Q10, propionyl-L-carnitine, and D-ribose — have shown encouraging results in preliminary studies. However, many of these promising early results weren't confirmed by follow-up studies, or the original studies were too small to be conclusive. At this time, there's little evidence to recommend any specific natural remedy as a treatment for chronic fatigue. Dealing with a condition such as chronic fatigue syndrome can be challenging. There's a lot of hype about various treatments and "natural" approaches. As with any dietary supplement, talk to your doctor before adding something new to your care program. Some herbal products can interact with prescription medicines or have other side effects. See more Expert Answers source: mayoclinic.org