Expert: Suzan Jackson - 1/13/2010

Question
I am 30 years old with CFS.  What diet plan (nutritional supplements) should I try or use to gain more energy?  What prescriptions have doctors given you?  Is Ritallin good for CFS sufferers?

Answer
Dear David -

Although diet and nutrition are always important, these things alone don't make much of a difference in CFS because they don't affect the underlying cause of our lack of energy - the dysfunction in our immune, endocrine, and nervous systems.  The only time that a change of diet would make much of a difference in CFS would be if you are currently eating a very unhealthy diet - with lots of processed foods, high in fats, low in nutrients.  Then switching to a basic healthy diet, with lots of fruits and veggies, whole grains, and low-fat proteins might help you feel a little better.  The same goes for most nutritional supplements, though I've had some mild improvement from the following:

Olive Leaf Extract - to help in treating underlying infections
NAC (N-Acetyl-Cystein) - helps with glutathione depletion, common in CFS

I've tried lots of supplements that are advertised as helping with energy, but I haven't seen a difference.  

Areas of CFS that can be treated with medications include:

Sleep dysfunction:

http://www.cfids.org/archives/2001rr/2001-rr3-article01.asp

Orthostatic Intolerance:

http://www.pediatricnetwork.org/medical/OI/johnshopkins.htm
Orthostatic Intolerance (OI) is the one area where a change of diet might help.  A diet very high in sodium (salt) and fluids helps OI, but you should check with your doctor first.

And treating underlying infections.  Here's a good summary of CFS treatment protocols, including treating infections:

http://www.aboutmecfs.org/HeadPgs/TrtIntro.aspx

I know some people with CFS take Ritalin, but I've never tried it myself, so I can't comment on that.  You might try the message boards at immune support - you can probably find people there who've tried ritalin:

http://www.prohealth.com/community/index.cfm

I personally take medications for sleep dysfunction and anti-virals, as explained in the above articles.

Good luck in finding some treatments that work for you -

Sue Jackson

www.livewithcfs.blogspot.com