fatigue | Health Topics | NutritionFacts.org

Topic summary contributed by volunteer(s): Mary

Fatigue may be a symptom of a variety of illnesses including celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, PMS, depression, fibromyalgia, diabetes, hypertension, and dehydration.

Consuming a whole-food, plant-based diet, which is naturally high in antioxidants, may help alleviate fatigue. More specifically, black currants and bilberries may relieve visual fatigue associated with staring at a computer screen all day. As for muscle fatigue, daily citrus fruit, berry, and peppermint tea consumption may help. Caffeine will also lessen fatigue.

Neurotoxins found in seafood may cause a chronic fatigue-like syndrome, but chocolate may alleviate symptoms.

For substantiation of any statements of fact from the peer-reviewed medical literature, please see the associated videos below.

40 videos

All Videos for Fatigue

Digital drawing of adrenal glands

Adrenal Fatigue: What It Is and How to Treat It

Embraced by naturopaths, functional medicine, and anti‐aging doctors, does so-called adrenal fatigue even exist?

Close up of hands in a meditative pose on a beach

Yoga Put to the Test for MS, Back Pain, Neck Pain, Insomnia, and Breast Cancer

Is yoga better than other types of exercise, better than nothing but similar to other physical activity, or not beneficial even when it’s compared to doing nothing at all?

Woman holding upper shoulder as if in pain

The Best Diet for Fibromyalgia and Other Chronic Pain Relief

Anti-inflammatory diets can be effective in alleviating chronic pain syndromes.

doctor in protective mask performing surgery while assistants help him

The Complications of Bariatric Weight-Loss Surgery

The extent of risk from bariatric weight-loss surgery may depend on the skill of the surgeon.

Fruits and Vegetables Put to the Test for Boosting Mood

Fruits and Vegetables Put to the Test for Boosting Mood

A randomized controlled trial investigates diet and psychological well-being.

Fasting to Treat Depression

Fasting to Treat Depression

Caloric restriction can boost levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), considered to play a critical role in mood disorders.

The Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

The Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

B12 deficiency is known as “The Great Masquerader.”

COVID-19 Symptoms vs. the Flu, a Cold, or Allergies

COVID-19 Symptoms vs. the Flu, a Cold, or Allergies

What does the clinical course of COVID-19 look like for both those who survive and those who don’t?

Is Fasting for Weight Loss Safe?

Is Fasting for Weight Loss Safe?

The reasons why fasting longer than 24 hours, and particularly three or more days, should only be done under the supervision of a health professional and preferably in a live-in clinic.

man on cell phone

Do Cell Phones Cause Salivary Gland Tumors?

What effect does mobile phone radiation have on your parotid gland?

How to Treat Jet Lag with Melatonin-Rich Food

How to Treat Jet Lag with Melatonin-Rich Food

There may be a way to get the benefits of over-the-counter melatonin supplements without the risk.

Are Melatonin Supplements Safe?

Are Melatonin Supplements Safe?

Over-the-counter melatonin (“anti-gonad hormone”) supplements tend not to contain what they say they do, and the contaminants could be dangerous.

How to Treat Jet Lag with Light

How to Treat Jet Lag with Light

Use cheat sheets to figure out exactly when and how to treat jet lag using light exposure and light avoidance at specific times of the day, based on which direction you’re going and how many time zones you cross.

Is Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity Real?

Is Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity Real?

There have been at least 46 studies involving more than a thousand people to see if those suffering from electrosensitivity are deluding themselves.

Can Aloe Cure Cancer?

Can Aloe Cure Cancer?

From a case report to a randomized controlled trial, aloe is put to the test against cancer.

Best Food for Hay Fever (Seasonal Allergies)

Best Food for Hay Fever (Seasonal Allergies)

What did a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of a food that costs pennies a day for ragweed allergy sufferers find?

Is Candida Syndrome Real?

Does the presence of Candida in stool correlate with “Candida-hypersensitivity” symptoms, such as headaches and tiredness? And what happens when people are placed on a high-sugar diet?

The Best Supplement for Fibromyalgia

The Best Supplement for Fibromyalgia

Vitamin D supplements are put to the test for fibromyalgia.

Antiperspirants and Breast Cancer

Antiperspirants and Breast Cancer

Shaving before applying underarm antiperspirants can increase aluminum absorption. Could this explain the greater number of tumors and the disproportionate incidence of breast cancer in the upper outer quadrant of the breast near the armpit?

powdered chlorella

Preserving Athlete Immunity with Chlorella

The green algae, chlorella, may help attenuate the drop in immune function antibodies associated with over-strenuous exercise.

Speeding Recovery from Surgery with Turmeric

Speeding Recovery from Surgery with Turmeric

The anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin, the pigment in the spice turmeric, was put to the test to see if it could reduce postoperative pain and fatigue after surgery.

Plant-Based Diets for Improved Mood and Productivity

Plant-Based Diets for Improved Mood and Productivity

The most comprehensive controlled trial of diet and mood finds that a plant-based nutrition program in a workplace setting across ten corporate sites significantly improves depression, anxiety, and productivity.

Can Dehydration Affect Our Mood?

Can Dehydration Affect Our Mood?

The brain shrinkage associated with dehydration may not only play a role in cognitive impairment, but also in levels of energy, alertness, and happiness.

How to Treat High Blood Pressure with Diet

The first-line treatment for hypertension is lifestyle modification, which often includes the DASH diet. What is it and how can it be improved?

P Grant. Spearmint herbal tea has significant anti-androgen effects in polycystic ovarian syndrome. A randomized controlled trial. Phytother Res. 2010 Feb;24(2):186-8.

Enhancing Athletic Performance with Peppermint

Study finds remarkable improvements in exercise performance drinking homemade peppermint water, but there may be side effects.

Ciguatera Poisoning & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Ciguatera Poisoning & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The effects of the neurotoxins that can contaminate fish like red snapper and grouper can last for decades.

How to Prevent Prediabetes from Turning into Diabetes

How to Prevent Prediabetes from Turning into Diabetes

Approximately 1 in 3 Americans have prediabetes, but only about 1 in 10 knows it. What works better at preventing it from turning into full-blown diabetes—drugs or diet and exercise?

How to Diagnose Gluten Intolerance

How to Diagnose Gluten Intolerance

After a formal evaluation to rule out celiac disease, those who suspect they might have gluten sensitivity should first try improving their diet and then have other causes excluded before going on a gluten-free diet, since as many as 1 in 3 people who avoid gluten for symptom control end up having a different disease altogether.

Preventing Liver Cancer with Coffee

Preventing Liver Cancer with Coffee

Based on studies linking coffee consumption with lower liver cancer risk, coffee is put to the test to see if it can help reduce liver damage in those with hepatitis C.

Dietary Treatments for Computer Eye Strain

Dietary Treatments for Computer Eye Strain

Certain berries may help relieve visual fatigue associated with staring at a computer screen all day.

the feet of a group of runners

Preserving Immune Function in Athletes with Nutritional Yeast

Athletes who overtrain may put excessive stress on their bodies, and become more susceptible to respiratory infections. But, the fiber found in nutritional and brewer’s yeast may prevent this immune decline in marathon runners.

person sitting in wheelchair in a garden

Treating Multiple Sclerosis with the Swank MS Diet

A plant-based diet may not only be the safest treatment for multiple sclerosis; it may also be the most effective.

Reducing Muscle Fatigue with Citrus

Daily citrus fruit consumption during athletic training may reduce muscle fatigue, as evidenced by lower blood lactate concentrations.

bowl of raisins

Raisins vs. Jelly Beans for Athletic Performance

Raisins may be preferable to sports supplement jelly beans and commercial energy gels.

Fibromyalgia vs. Mostly Raw & Mostly Vegetarian Diets

How plant-based does one’s diet need to be in order to effectively treat fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia vs. Vegetarian and Raw Vegan Diets

Plant-based diets may be effective for the treatment of fibromyalgia, a painful condition suffered by millions.

Saffron for the Treatment of PMS

The spice saffron appears to improve both the emotional and physical symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

pharmacist and shopper

Pharmacists vs. Health Food Store Employees: Who Gives Better Advice?

The accuracy of medical advice given by staff at natural food stores is compared to that given by staff at community pharmacies, based on the balance of available scientific evidence.

A Treatment for Chronic Fatigue

A Treatment for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

An industry-funded, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial study suggests chocolate may improve symptoms for those suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome—a debilitating condition currently affecting as many as seven million Americans. But how do you get the cacao phytonutrients without the saturated fat and added sugar?

What About the Caffeine?

What About the Caffeine?

Caffeine has positive cognitive and physiological effects at moderate doses.

Pin It on Pinterest