COVID-19 and Nutrition

There is insufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of any diet or nutritional supplement for managing symptoms of ME/CFS.  

The 2021 NICE guidelines include general dietary guidance based on managing complications of ME/CFS related to nausea; dysphagia; and difficulties buying, preparing and eating food; and referring individuals to a dietitian who present with malnutrition or a restrictive diet. 

 

A 2017 consensus document for management of ME/CFS in young individuals suggests eliminating caffeine beverages in the late afternoon and evening as caffeine can cause tachycardia and agitation and exacerbate sleep problems. Additional suggestions include consuming regular, small meals and snacks and avoiding large amounts of fluids with meals to address symptoms of anorexia, nausea and bloating. 

A 2017 systematic review and 2021 follow-up review by the same investigative group examining dietary and nutritional interventions for treating ME/CFS identified 14 interventions described in generally single, small, short-term studies of heterogeneous design. Although some studies reported modest improvements in some ME/CFS symptoms with nutrition supplements (i.e. NADH, ubiquinol-10, polyphenol, probiotics, pollen extract), the authors concluded that study limitations provided insufficient evidence for using nutritional supplements or modified diets to improve symptoms of ME/CFS. 

ME/CFS has also been defined as systemic exertion intolerance disease. Symptoms include debilitating fatigue, post-exertion malaise and unrefreshing sleep, combined with orthostatic intolerance or cognitive decline that lasts for six months or more. The etiology of ME/CFS is unknown but has been attributed to infectious illness, stress and environmental toxins. The characteristics of long COVID suggest an overlap of many symptoms with ME/CFS.

 

See Additional Content: What dietary recommendations (including sodium and fluid) are effective for the treatment of adults with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), including POTS as a complication post-COVID-19 syndrome (long COVID)?