Nutrition Review: Krebs cycle mentioning cfs

[wastwater]

https://nutritionreview.org/2013/04/krebs-cycle-intermediates/

 

[Kalliope]

https://nutritionreview.org/2013/04/krebs-cycle-intermediates/

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) represents a condition of debilitating fatigue. Some neurological symptoms of CFS are poor attention, memory loss, lack of concentration and depression. An underlying cause of CFS may be an impairment in the production of mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the fundamental cellular energy source. Studies have found that CFS patients have elevated blood levels of lactate, indicating suboptimal aerobic ATP production that can lead to fatigue and muscle aches.

Studies have shown administering specific Krebs’ cycle amino acid precursors and intermediates to stimulate energy production significantly reduce symptoms of CFS. Therefore supplying a complete range of Krebs’ cycle factors and lactic acid-buffering agents may be of great benefit to the sufferers of CFS. (14,15)

...

Summary
The Krebs’ cycle is an eloquent and essential system designed to generate large amounts of cellular energy required for life. Disruption of the Krebs’ cycle, whether caused by deficiencies in energy substrates, acquired or inherited disease states, or physical stress, leads to an inhibition of normal energy production and contributes to a wide range of metabolic disturbances and symptoms.

The use of supplemental Krebs’ cycle acids and anti-fatigue buffers can assist in the management of mitochondrial energy substrates and increase cellular energy production. Such a nutritional approach can be of benefit to athletes, anyone who is aging, as well as those suffering from metabolic disturbances caused by inherited mitochondrial diseases or acquired diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

 

[Kalliope]

Nutrition Review's presentation of itself:
A news site about health science, human physiology, and nutrition, with a focus on alternative medicine and life extension.

 

[Trish]

Studies have shown administering specific Krebs’ cycle amino acid precursors and intermediates to stimulate energy production significantly reduce symptoms of CFS. Therefore supplying a complete range of Krebs’ cycle factors and lactic acid-buffering agents may be of great benefit to the sufferers of CFS. (14,15)

14. Bralley A Lord RS.Chronic Fatigue and Amino Acids. J. of Applied Nutr., 46(3):74-78(1994)
15. Riley MS, O’Brien CJ, McCluskey DR, Bell NP, Nicholls DP. Aerobic work capacity in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Br Med J 1990; 301:953-956.

Reference 14 seems to be the entire source of the claim. An open label trial of amino acid supplements with 20 CFS patients. No control group. 5 dropped out with GI symptoms, and most of the others claimed improvement.
http://www.nordiclabs.com/ProductPDF/Amino-Acids_Chronic_Fatigue_1076.pdf

The second reference is about aerobic capacity testing of CFS compared with IBS patients. It has nothing to do with nutritional supplements.

So the whole claim about CFS is based on one very small open label trial in 1994 published in something called the Journal of Applied Nutrition, published by the International Academy of Nutrition and Preventive Medicine. I tried to find out about the organisation, but only got a few unhelpful bits and pieces. I suspect it's an alt med thing.

 

[TigerLilea]

It's unfortunate that Rich Van Konynenburg is no longer with us. He was sure that the kreb's cycle was involved in ME/CFS and he was very involved in the research at the time of his death.