Amino Acids & Chronic Fatigue

Chronic fatigue is a complex and poorly understood disorder producing profound feelings of fatigue that are not relieved by rest and may be exacerbated by mental or physical exertion. Chronic fatigue can be debilitating and includes symptoms of weakness, muscle pain, impaired memory and concentration, and insomnia. Research has suggested that the central nervous system plays a important role in chronic fatigue syndrome and that amino acids may help remedy the condition.

Chronic Fatigue

Despite efforts to understand the disorder, the cause or causes of chronic fatigue remain unknown. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that possible causes include infection, immunological dysfunction, metabolic disorder and nutritional deficiency. Just as there is no known cause, as of 2011, no specific cures have been identified for the disorder, whose symptoms can vary considerably over time and among patients.

Amino Acids

The building blocks of proteins, amino acids are required for body growth, tissue repair and maintenance and nutrient metabolism. Amino acids are also vital for producing and regulating enzymes and hormones, as well as for supporting the immune system and building RNA and DNA. Most amino acids are classified as either essential or nonessential. While nonessential amino acids are manufactured by your body, the nine essential amino acids are not produced by your body and must be obtained through dietary sources. Conditional amino acids are typically nonessential and generated in the body during periods of stress or illness. Dietary amino acids derive from complete proteins, such as meat, poultry, fish and dairy, and incomplete proteins, such as grains, nuts, seeds and legumes.

Amino Acids for Chronic Fatigue

Several amino acids have been linked to central nervous system function and chronic fatigue, and researchers are investigating whether specific amino acid deficiencies contribute to the disorder. Arginine boosts the immune system and stimulates T-cell production and is possibly effective in fighting immune disorders and preventing chronic fatigue. Aspartic acid deficiencies decrease cellular health and activity and may play a role in chronic fatigue. Glutamic acid is a neurotransmitter that enhances brain function and has been used in experimental treatments for chronic fatigue. Tyrosine helps regulate hormone production in the thyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands and may be effective in remedying neurological conditions, including chronic fatigue.

Supporting Research

A study published in 1994 in the "Journal of Applied Nutrition" found that specific amino acid supplementation resolved symptoms of chronic fatigue in 75 percent of research subjects. The researchers speculate that amino acids may help stimulate metabolism and increase energy. Data published by researchers at the Centre for Exercise Science and Medicine at the University of Glasgow in August 2003 found that amino acid concentration in the blood was significantly lower among study participants with chronic fatigue syndrome than among controls. A 2001 review on the relationship between fatigue and amino acids published in the journal "Amino Acids" concludes that amino acid consumption might improve physical performance and reduce mental and bodily fatigue. As of 2011, there is no conclusive evidence that increasing your dietary amino acid consumption is effective in treating or preventing chronic fatigue, but a diet balanced with proteins appropriate to your body will help maintain normal energy levels.