We aimed to explore the effects of folinic acid, also known as leucovorin, on patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Our investigation revealed some fascinating findings about this often misunderstood condition, particularly the links to immune response and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection.
In our evaluation of 58 CFS patients, we discovered that nearly all had previously been exposed to EBV, with a striking 72% showing signs of active reactivation. Additionally, an overwhelming 94% were found to have a severe B-cell immunodeficiency, evidenced by a marked reduction in their CD19+IgM+ mature B-lymphocyte population.
What stood out was that after treatment with folinic acid, an impressive 81% of the participants reported experiencing a noticeable improvement in their symptoms. This suggests that folinic acid might play a significant role in the management of CFS, particularly for those struggling with related immune deficiencies and EBV responses.
Our findings bring new insights into CFS, indicating that it may be a condition responding well to folinic acid treatment. This opens up exciting avenues for further research into effective therapies for those affected by this challenging syndrome.
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We aimed to evaluate how folic acid, in combination with vitamin B12, impacts individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). Our study focused on a group of 38 patients who had received weekly B12 injections for six months to several years.
During our research, we categorized the patients into two groups: Good responders and Mild responders, based on their improvement in symptoms. We found that those who responded positively had received B12 injections more frequently and at higher doses compared to those with lesser improvement. They also tended to use more folic acid daily and were less likely to use strong analgesics.
Our findings suggested a clear relationship between the dosage of B12 and folic acid and the degree of improvement reported by the participants. However, we noted a higher occurrence of fibromyalgia among those with milder responses, indicating that the presence of additional conditions might affect outcomes.
Overall, we observed a dose-response effect suggesting that B12 and folic acid together could bring about meaningful improvements in CFS symptoms. Also, we identified the importance of being aware of possible thyroid issues and highlighted the need for more precise research regarding their interaction with other medications.
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Folate improves fatigue-related disordersFolate-responsive neurological and mental disorders: report of 16 cases. Neuropsychological correlates of computerized transaxial tomography and radionuclide cisternography in folic acid deficiencies.
Strong relevance to fatigue treatment
We examined two groups of patients who exhibited neurological and psychiatric disorders responsive to folic acid treatment. The first group of seven individuals suffered from an acquired folate deficiency due to either poor absorption of nutrients or an inadequate diet. Their symptoms included significant fatigue, weight loss, and various neurological impairments. The second group, consisting of nine patients, presented idiopathic folate deficiency with chronic fatigue and family histories of restless legs syndrome.
Through neuropsychological testing, we observed abnormal intellectual functioning in all patients, along with issues highlighted on imaging studies like computerized transaxial tomography. Remarkably, after 6 to 12 months of folic acid therapy, a substantial improvement in their cognitive abilities and overall functioning was recorded.
This suggests that addressing folate deficiency might alleviate some aspects of fatigue and cognitive decline commonly associated with chronic fatigue syndrome. Our findings imply that long-term folate supplementation may lead to positive changes in those struggling with fatigue-related conditions, although the label of chronic fatigue syndrome was not explicitly used.
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We investigated the connection between serum folate levels and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in a group of 60 patients. Our findings revealed that a striking 50% of these individuals had folate levels below 3.0 micrograms per liter, indicating a potential deficiency in this essential nutrient.
While it’s clear that some patients with CFS are not getting enough folic acid, our study stops short of establishing a direct cause-and-effect relationship. The information lacks treatment outcome data, which means we cannot definitively say that folate supplementation will improve symptoms of CFS or enhance overall well-being.
This research sheds light on a potential factor affecting those with chronic fatigue syndrome and underlines the importance of monitoring vitamin levels in patients. However, further studies are essential to determine the role folate supplementation might play in managing this complex condition.
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We conducted a carefully designed study to investigate the effects of an injectable treatment combining bovine liver extract, folic acid, and cyanocobalamin on chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). This involved a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial with 15 patients who met definitive criteria for CFS.
Throughout the study, patients received both the treatment and a placebo in alternating phases. While we observed that both the treatment and placebo seemed to provide some improvement in functional status for the patients, our analysis showed no significant advantage of the liver extract and folic acid combination over the placebo.
This indicates that the response to folate, particularly, is unclear as the placebo effect appeared to be notably strong among participants. Overall, the findings suggest that further research may be needed to ascertain the definitive role of folate in managing chronic fatigue syndrome.
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