Nutritional Vitamins & Health Supplements for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The combination of potassium aspartate and magnesium aspartate has shown benefits for chronically fatigued people in double-blind trials. However, these trials were performed before the criteria for diagnosing CFS was established, so whether these people were suffering from CFS is unclear. Usually 1 gram of aspartates is taken twice per day, and results have been reported within one to two weeks.

Vitamin B12 deficiency may cause fatigue. However, some reports, even double-blind ones, have shown that people who are not deficient in B12 have increased energy following a series of vitamin B12 injections. Some sources in conventional medicine have discouraged such people from taking B12 shots despite this evidence. Nonetheless, some doctors have continued to take the limited scientific support for B12 seriously. In one preliminary trial, 2,500 to 5,000 mcg of vitamin B12 given by injection every two to three days led to improvement in 50 to 80% of a group of people with CFS; most improvement appeared after several weeks of B12 shots. While the research in this area remains preliminary, people with CFS considering a trial of vitamin B12 injections should consult a doctor. Oral or sublingual B12 supplements are unlikely to obtain the same results as injectable B12, because the body’s ability to absorb large amounts is relatively poor...