Noni Juice For Chronic Fatigue

Chronic fatigue syndrome can significantly impact your ability to function in everyday life. You may find yourself limiting or avoiding many of your usual activities because of extreme, relentless fatigue. A number of treatments, including certain medications and self-help techniques, can help symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. While noni juice has been touted as a remedy for chronic fatigue syndrome, there's not much clinical evidence to support its benefits. Consult your doctor before using any nutritional supplement.

About Noni

Noni, also known by the scientific name Morinda citrifolia or a number of additional names, including lada, canary wood or Indian mulberry, is a type of evergreen tree that grows in tropical regions such as Polynesia. Noni has been used for 2,000 years in traditional and indigenous Polynesian medical practices. Native healers have used the fruit of the noni tree to treat a number of medical conditions, including wounds, infections, joint pain and skin disorders. In modern times, many people drink noni juice for its purported health benefits, including improving cardiovascular health and alleviating chronic fatigue syndrome. However, there's virtually no evidence to support these uses. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, research has shown that noni has antioxidant, immune-stimulating and tumor-fighting properties. Unfortunately, there are not many studies that have examined its potential benefits in humans.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Facts

The possible benefit of noni juice for chronic fatigue syndrome may stem from its supposed immune-stimulating properties. While the exact causes of chronic fatigue syndrome aren't totally understood, the National Center for Biotechnology Information's PubMed Health website reports that it may occur due to inflammation in the nervous system due to a malfunction in your immune system. Chronic fatigue syndrome causes symptoms that resemble the flu, except you experience these symptoms on a chronic basis and they last for six months or longer. Fatigue that doesn't go away despite rest and sleep is the defining feature of chronic fatigue syndrome. Additional symptoms include muscles aches and pains, sore throat, mild fever, irritability and depression. While there's no known cure for chronic fatigue syndrome as of 2011, medical treatments and self-help measures can help you manage your symptoms.

Clinical Evidence

A report published in the Oct. 25, 2010, issue of the journal "Oncology" states that some preliminary clinical research on animals and in vitro suggest that noni may have immunomodulatory, antioxidant and anti-tumor properties. A study published in 2011 in the international, peer-reviewed journal "Annals of Biological Sciences" showed that noni juice had an antibacterial effect against Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Mycoplasma penetrans and Mycoplasma fermentans in an in vitro study. However, as of 2011, no studies have showed any benefit of noni juice for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Considerations

Do not use noni juice or any other dietary supplement to self-treat your condition. Consult your doctor if you think you have chronic fatigue syndrome. Inform your doctor if you choose to use noni juice. The safety of noni hasn't been sufficiently established. According to the report in "Oncology," there have been three case reports of hepatotoxicity from noni juice. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine points out that since noni is high in potassium, it should not be used by people on potassium-restricted diets.