Fatigue reduction diet

The Fatigue Reduction Diet or FRD was developed for cancer-related fatigue in 2014. It is not widely used and there are no studies on the effects of the FRD on patients with ME/CFS. The Fatigue Reduction Diet is a healthy, balanced diet that contains high levels of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and omega 3 fatty acid-rich foods (for example fish, nuts and seeds), and low overall fat and high fiber.

Following the Fatigue Reduction Diet lead patients to increase their intake of:
 * Fruit
 * Leafy green vegetables
 * Yellow/orange vegetables
 * Tomatoes
 * Fish
 * Nuts and seeds
 * Whole grains

Theory
The FRD is regarded as an anti-inflammatory diet, and inflammation has been found in ME/CFS patients, including neuroinflammation in parts of the brain. It is also rich in antioxidants, which may be beneficial.

Evidence
The FRD was originally tested with a 3 month pilot study of just 15 fatigued breast cancer survivors, with an average age of early 60s, all of which had low fruit and vegetable intake, and none of which had fatigue caused by ME/CFS or other illness. The Fatigue Reduction Diet was compared to a to more general healthy balanced diet and was found to improve sleep and reduce fatigue in the cancer survivors.

Blood analysis of cancer survivors on the Fatigue Reduction Diet found that reduction in fatigue was linked to increased EPA intake and improved omega 3 to omega 6 ratio.

Participants in the pilot study had an average Brief Fatigue Inventory score of 5.4, such reduced to 3 after 3 months on the Fatigue Reduction Diet.

There are no studies on the effects of the FRD on patients with ME/CFS.

Risks and safety
Largely unknown for ME/CFS patients.

Costs and availability
Foods are widely available and relatively affordable for most people.

Notable studies

 * 2016, Fatigue reduction diet in breast cancer survivors: a pilot randomized clinical trial - (Full text)
 * 2019, Anti-Inflammatory Diets and Fatigue - (Full text)
 * 2019, Multidimensional Comparison of Cancer-Related Fatigue and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Role of Psychophysiological Markers (Full text)

Learn more

 * Fatigue Reduction Diet in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial - Summary presentation