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by Lucy Dechéne, Ph.D.
The Massachusetts CFIDS/ME & FM Association Winter 2003 UPDATE

As a fitting close to my tenure as medical editor of The UPDATE, I thought it would be appropriate to give a summary of what is known about some of the more popular supplements used by Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM) patients.

The information is from the Physician's Desk Reference for Nutritional Supplements 1 and all quoted material is from that book.

Of course, one always needs to avoid supplements with ingredients to which one is allergic or sensitive, and ME/CFS and FM patients do have a high degree of sensitivity and allergy. In addition, pregnant and lactating women are warned that not enough is known about these supplements' effects on fetuses and babies, so they should avoid all of them. I'm not going to repeat those warnings for each supplement.

Always keep in mind our golden rule for any medications and supplements, start with a low dose and gradually increase it.