Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by debilitating tiredness with associated muscle aches, tender lymph nodes, joint pain, chills, feverish feelings, and postexertional malaise. Diagnosis is primarily by exclusion with no definitive laboratory test or physical findings. Medical research continues to examine the many possible causes (infectious, immunologic, neurologic, and psychiatric), but the answer remains elusive. It is known that this condition is a heterogeneous disorder possibly involving an interaction of biologic systems. Similarities with fibromyalgia exist and concomitant illnesses include irritable bowel syndrome, depression, and headaches. Therefore, treatment may be variable and should be tailored to each patient. Therapy should include exercise, diet, good sleep hygiene, antidepressants, and other medications.

Dietary supplements, natural and alternative treatment remedies for CFS

Acetylcarnitine
It appears that the nutrient Acetyl l-Carnitine, often used a brain enhancing supplement, could be helpful in this condition.
Exploratory open label, randomized study of acetyl- and propionylcarnitine in chronic fatigue syndrome.
Psychosom Med. 2004.
We compared the effects of acetylcarnitine, propionylcarnitine and both compounds on the symptoms of CFS. In an open, randomized fashion we compared 2 g/d acetyl-L-carnitine, 2 g/d propionyl-L-carnitine, and its combination in 3 groups of 30 CFS patients during 24 weeks. Clinical global impression of change after acetyl l-carnitine treatment showed considerable improvement in 59% of the patients in the acetylcarnitine group and 63% in the propionylcarnitine group, but less in the plus propionylcarnitine group (37%). Acetylcarnitine significantly improved mental fatigue and propionylcarnitine improved general fatigue. Attention concentration improved in all groups, whereas pain complaints did not decrease in any group. Two weeks after treatment, worsening of fatigue was experienced by 52%, 50%, and 37% in the acetylcarnitine, propionylcarnitine, and combined group, respectively. Acetylcarnitine and propionylcarnitine showed beneficial effect on fatigue and attention concentration. Less improvement was found by the combined treatment. Acetylcarnitine had main effect on mental fatigue and propionylcarnitine on general fatigue.

D Ribose
The use of D-Ribose in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia: a pilot study.
J Altern Complement Med. 2006. Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers, Dallas, TX, USA.
Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are debilitating syndromes that are often associated with impaired cellular energy metabolism. As D-ribose has been shown to increase cellular energy synthesis in heart and skeletal muscle, this open-label uncontrolled pilot study was done to evaluate if D-ribose could improve symptoms in fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue syndrome patients. Forty-one patients with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia and/or CFS were given D-ribose, a naturally occurring pentose carbohydrate, at a dose of 5 grams three times a day for a total of 280 g. D-ribose supplements improved all five visual analog scale categories: energy; sleep; mental clarity; pain intensity; and well-being, as well as an improvement in patients' global assessment. Approximately 66% of patients experienced significant improvement while on D-ribose.

Blood pressure in those with this condition
Lower blood pressure and abnormal diurnal blood pressure regulation occur in patients with CFS.

Yohimbe herb
Is yohimbe herb helpful for chronic fatigue?
   We don't think this herb would help.

Does tribulus terrestris extract or tongkat ali help improve fatigue?
    These herbs can be used occasionally for this purpose, but not on a daily basis.

Emails
I once tried L-phenylalanine in capsule form, with respect to chronic fatigue illness. The capsule was 500 mg. I decided to try about 100mg. The effect was overpowering and overall was not of benefit.