Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome with Specific Amino Acid Supplementation

Summary

The following represents an open trial of the efficacy of amino acid supplementation which may stimulate further interest in the use of amino acids as therapeutic agents in CFS.

Richard S. Lord, PhD, J. Alexander Bralley, PhD, CCN

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Bralley JA, and Lord RS, “Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome with Specific Amino Acid Supplementation.” Journal of Applied Nutrition. 1994. 46(3): p. 74-78.

Details

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has received much attention recently, yet it is not known whether this syndrome represents one disease process or several which can cause similar sets of symptoms. No known effective therapy is available. The common symptom of debilitating fatigue may represent an impairment of production of mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) chemical energy, the fundamental cellular energy source. Mental/emotional symptoms of poor attention, memory loss, lack of concentration and depression may also be reflective of insufficient central nervous system ATP availability and/or impaired neurotransmitter production. Several essential amino acids supply precursors to the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle for ATP production as well as precursors for neurotransmitters. Oral administration of specific amino acids can significantly affect these processes. Several studies have shown that potassium and magnesium aspartate salts can significantly improve fatigue symptoms in patients presumably by precursor stimulation of the TCA cycle. Blood lactate levels are elevated in CFS patients, indicating suboptimal aerobic ATP production. If CFS symptoms are caused by a metabolic deficit depleting ATP, inhibiting optimal ATP generation and/or neurotransmitter production, then oral administration of amino acids that influence these functions may improve symptomatology. The following represents an open trial of the efficacy amino acid supplementation which may stimulate further interest in the use of amino acids as therapeutic agents in CFS.