Chronic fatigue, a condition leading to persistent fatigue for more than six months, is not relieved simply by resting or getting more sleep. Women are two to four times more likely to suffer from chronic fatigue than men, and a holistic lifestyle approach is recommended for treatment, notes Body and Health Canada. As a result, changes to dietary choices may be a part of your overall wellness plan. Known as a chronic fatigue diet, these dietary changes can take many forms.
Theories/Speculation
Theories surrounding chronic fatigue diets link back to the believed underlying cause of the fatigue. Body and Health Canada notes that there is no one universally agreed upon cause of chronic fatigue. CFIDS Association of America links chronic fatigue with food sensitivities, the Cleveland Clinic points to poor nutrition, lifestyle choices or stress, while MayoClinic.com suggests that it may be a cellular metabolism issue.
Types of Diets
Chronic fatigue diets can include elimination or supplemental diets. Elimination diets, also called challenge diets, strip foods out of the diet, which are later reintroduced gradually, while supplemental diets add in specific foods or nutrient courses. Elimination diets are recommended by CFIDS Association of America to address food sensitivity and gut imbalances, while nutritional supplementation diets are recommended by the Cleveland Clinic to address deficiencies in the diet and energy levels.
The Role of Supplements
Supplements can be a valuable part of a chronic fatigue diet, especially for cases of chronic fatigue that may be linked to a specific nutritional or physiological deficiency. MayoClinic.com recommends d-ribose for cases where cellular energy levels are an issue, as it may increase energy and reduce associated pain levels.
Benefits
According to CFIDS Association of America, the benefits of a chronic fatigue diet include reduction in symptoms and improvement in daily functionality. Body and Health Canada notes that because no medication has been specifically proven to serve as a cure for chronic fatigue, dietary changes and specially prescribed diets represent a point of hope for chronic fatigue sufferers seeking relief.
Considerations
Each case of chronic fatigue is one of a kind, and adopting a chronic fatigue diet without first working closely with a health professional to evaluate the element of your case may lead to less than optimal results.
References
- Better Health Channel: Fatigue Fighting Tips
- Body and Health Canada: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- CFIDS Association of America: Food Sensitivities and Fatigue: Diet Could Be a Factor
- Cleveland Clinic: Diet, Exercise, Stress and the Immune System
- MayoClinic.com: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Alternative Medicine
