Unproven diet therapies in the treatment of the chronic fatigue syndrome
D. H. Morris and F. J. Stare
Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Mass.
This report is a review of the unproven diet therapies recommended for
individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Diet therapies promoted
for the relief of CFS symptoms by the authors of five CSF self-help books
were evaluated on the basis of nutritional adequacy and scientific
rationale. Unproven diet therapies for patients with CFS include
megavitamin/mineral supplements; royal jelly and other dietary supplements;
and elimination, avoidance, and rotation diets. Claims that these therapies
relieve CFS symptoms and promote recovery are anecdotal and have not been
substantiated by clinical research. The yeast-avoidance and sugar-free
diets, both promoted to combat Candida albicans overgrowth, are of
questionable value in treating patients with CFS. The rotation diet is not
balanced and does not meet the current recommended dietary intake levels.
Diet strategies that call for the avoidance of food additives,
preservatives, sweeteners, and other ingredients are not supported by
available evidence and are not practical for patients with CFS. A diet plan
for patients with CFS should be based on sound nutritional principles and
common sense. Until the results of studies demonstrating the benefits of
particular diet therapies in the management of CFS are available, patients
with CFS are advised to eat a varied diet selected from among and within
the basic food groups to ensure an adequate nutrient intake and to reach
and maintain a reasonable body weight.
