Abstract
Purpose. Previous studies on nutrient intake and status in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) were reviewed. Against this background, we investigated whether low mineral and B vitamin status in CFS patients was adequately explained by poor nutritional intake. Subsidiary aims were to explore the demographic, dietary, socio-economic, psychological and general health profiles of CFS patients attending our clinics. Design. A cross-sectional study of 51 CFS patients with biomarker values below the laboratory reference range for minerals and B vitamins. Materials and methods. Dietary and supplemented nutritional intakes were assessed for comparison with laboratory biomarkers in a hospital outpatient clinic. Results. Intakes below the UK reference nutrient intake, particularly of Ca and/or vitamin D, I and Se, were common among these patients. There was little correlation between intakes and biomarkers. Conclusions. Abnormal biomarkers may reflect underlying pathological processes rather than inadequate nutritional intakes and, taken alone, are a poor guide to rational nutritional supplementation. Nevertheless, there appears to be a case for dietary assessment and modest, targeted, vitamin and mineral supplementation in many of these patients. © 2005 Taylor & Francis.