Do you often feel tired or out of breath? Do you wake up in the morning feeling as though you hadn’t even slept at all? If you have been experiencing signs of exhaustion consistently over a long period of time, then you may be suffering from a condition known as chronic fatigue. In this article, we will explore the ins and outs of chronic fatigue syndrome as well as two examples of liquid vitamins and minerals that may be able to help relieve your symptoms.

What is Chronic Fatigue?

Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, is a disorder that affects about 1 million Americans, particularly women (1). As its name implies, this condition applies to individuals who experience extreme exhaustion over a long period of time, typically six months or more. Other underlying medical conditions may be the root of fatigue for many people, but those with CFS have no background causes like this. Any type of mental or physical strain may worsen your feelings of fatigue, and the exhaustion is not relieved by sleep or prolonged rest. In fact, non-refreshing sleep is among the other typical signs that one may be experiencing this condition, along with dizziness when standing and difficulties with focus and memory.

Below, we have provided a list of symptoms commonly associated with CFS (2):

• Trouble concentrating
• Sore throat
• Headaches
• Enlarged lymph nodes in your neck or armpits
• Unexplained muscle or joint pain
• Extreme exhaustion after physical or mental exercise

The exact cause of CFS is currently unknown, although it may be the result of a combination of triggers. These triggers may include any of the following examples: viral infections, immune system problems, hormonal imbalances, and physical or emotional trauma. If you suspect that you may be suffering from CFS, contact your doctor, as they will be able to help you understand the root of your experience and find solutions.

Supplements for CFS

As we mentioned, it is important for you to communicate with your physician before starting any supplement regimen, especially if you have a condition like CFS. However, there are a few vitamins and minerals that you can expect to see in a supplement pertaining to chronic fatigue, due to their abilities to provide energy and counteract exhaustion. Two of these important nutrients are vitamin B12 and iron.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is often the star of the show when it comes to energizing supplements. In fact, B12 deficiency may even be linked with feelings of excessive tiredness or fatigue. Many of the B complex vitamins play an essential role in your body’s metabolic functions, particularly the metabolisms of your cells. Cells rely on glucose for fuel, which they receive from the food you eat. Vitamin B12 helps break down that food and generate the glucose that then powers your cells, resulting in increased energy production when you have sufficient levels of this micronutrient in your system (3).

Since vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, you should not need to worry about overdosing when taking a supplement, as long as you stay within the recommended dietary intake on a daily basis. The best source of B12 is animal products, such as meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and other dairy products. Clearly, if you are vegan or have digestive issues when it comes to animal products, you may be more at risk for B12 deficiency than others. For these cases and for anyone who feels they do not have enough B12 in their regular diet, you may want to consider adding a liquid vitamin B12 supplement to your routine to boost your energy levels both physically and mentally.

Iron

Similar to B12 deficiency, iron deficiency can affect your body’s energy levels, making you more likely to experience fatigue. Iron is an essential mineral that has an immense effect on your blood and circulation. It plays a key role in the production of hemoglobin, a protein molecule that transports oxygen throughout your body. If your hemoglobin levels are lower than normal, you may be experiencing anemia. When anemia occurs, oxygen cannot reach your tissues, muscles, and organs efficiently enough to power them, resulting in feelings of fatigue or exhaustion (4). Essentially, low iron levels lead to low hemoglobin levels, and low hemoglobin levels lead to fatigue. 

If you are experiencing fatigue as a result of iron deficiency, then taking a supplement containing iron may be the right choice for you. Some studies have even indicated that iron supplements may also help fatigue sufferers who are not experiencing iron deficiency or anemia (5). 

Resources

1. “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.” Office on Women’s Health, 22 February 2021, https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/chronic-fatigue-syndrome.
2. Mayo Clinic Staff. “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.” Mayo Clinic, 2022, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20360490.
3. Morris, Susan York. “Vitamins for Energy: Does B-12 Work?” healthline, 17 September 2018, https://www.healthline.com/health/b12-vitamins-for-energy.
4. “Experiencing Chronic Fatigue? It May Be Iron Deficiency.” The Iron Maiden, 2022, https://theironmaiden.ca/experiencing-chronic-fatigue-it-may-be-iron-deficiency.
5. Verdon, F et al. “Iron Supplementation for Unexplained Fatigue in Non-Anaemic Women: Double Blind Randomised Placebo Controlled Trial.” BMJ, 24 May 2003, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC156009.