After a stressful day, a restless night, or strenuous physical activity, you
feel exhausted. That's what people who have chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) feel
like all of the time. In addition to severe fatigue, sufferers also may have
low-grade fever and chills, sore throats and swollen glands, muscle and joint
aches, headaches, and the feeling of being in a fog and unable to concentrate or
remember. So far, no one knows what causes CFS. It affects more women than men
and may last for a month or for many years. Unfortunately, because it is so
little understood, there are very few effective treatments for CFS. Recently,
however, a naturally existing component of human cells was found to hold promise
for treating CFS symptoms.
NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) helps the body to produce energy.
Researchers speculate that in CFS, metabolism dysfunction may deplete energy
supplies. Therefore, NADH supplementation could help those who with CFS generate
more energy. Unfortunately, very little research has been done so far. In one
small study, many participants with CFS reported improvements in their energy
levels after taking NADH. Mild side effects included overstimulation, loss of
appetite, heartburn, gas, and dry mouth. No serious adverse effects were
reported.
Talk with your doctor about all therapies available for CFS. Antidepressants
and other psychoactive drugs may be helpful. NADH is seen as a potential
complementary therapy to other treatments. Other complementary therapies include
herbal medicines, acupuncture, massage, and changes in diet. You might consider
eating more meat, fish, or poultry—NADH occurs
naturally in those foods. Twenty to 30 minutes of exercise a day at least five
days a week has also been shown to help relieve CFS.
