Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The aversive impact of combat and combat-induced posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on parenting of young children has been examined in a few studies. Nevertheless, the toll of war captivity on parenting and the long-term relations between posttraumatic symptoms and paternal parenting of adult children remains unknown. This longitudinal study examined paternal parenting of adult children among war veterans, some of whom were held in captivity. Furthermore, we examined the mediating role of PTSD symptoms in the association between captivity and parenting. The sample included two groups of male Israeli veterans from the 1973 Yom Kippur War: ex-prisoners of war (ex-POWs) and comparable veterans who had not been held captive. Both groups were assessed via self-report measures of PTSD at three time points: Time 1 (18 after the war), Time 2 (30 after the war ), and Time 3 (35 after the war ) years after the war. Results shows that ex-POWs reported lower levels of positive parenting compared to comparison group veterans at Time 3. Furthermore, PTSD symptoms at Time 1, Time 2, and Time 3 mediated the association between captivity experience and parenting at Time 3. In addition, it was found that increases in the levels of PTSD symptom clusters over time were associated with lower levels of positive parenting at Time 3.

Fatigue impacts both mental and physical health, significantly reducing quality of life and daily productivity. Natural bioactive compounds have emerged as promising agents to combat fatigue due to their multifaceted biological activities and minimal side effects. Key mechanisms through which these compounds exert antifatigue effects include enhancing energy metabolism, reducing oxidative stress, supporting mitochondrial integrity, modulating the immune response, and regulating neurotransmitter balance. Plant-derived metabolites such as flavonoids, ginsenosides, saponins, and polysaccharides, as well as animal-based peptides and microbial-derived substances, have demonstrated significant potential in alleviating fatigue symptoms in both clinical and preclinical studies. Additionally, fermented products like kefir, fermented rice bran, and yogurt enhance endurance performance, reduce lactate buildup, and improve glycogen storage, further contributing to fatigue mitigation. As consumer interest in natural alternatives grows, future research should prioritize improving the bioavailability, stability, and targeted delivery of these compounds. This review consolidates recent advances in the understanding of anti-fatigue mechanisms of natural products and highlights emerging directions for their development as functional foods and therapeutic agents.

Jan-Olav Henriksen (f. 1961) er forskningsdekan og professor i systematisk teologi, Det teologiske menighetsfakultet, Oslo. Han er også professor II i samtidsreligion ved Universitetet i Agder. Ingen oppgitte interessekonflikter. Tor Erling Lea (f. 1947) er professor i immunologi, mat og helse ved Institutt for kjemi, bioteknologi og matvitenskap, Fakultet for veterinaermedisin og biovitenskap, Norges miljø-og biovitenskapelige universitet. Ingen oppgitte interessekonflikter. Ola Didrik Saugstad (f. 1947) er professor i pediatri ved Universitetet i Oslo, avdelingsleder ved Avdeling for kvinne-og barnehelse, Oslo universitetssykehus, og leder av Pediatrisk forskningsinstitutt ved Universitetet i Oslo og Oslo universitetssykehus. Ingen oppgitte interessekonflikter.

Objective: To systematically summarize and evaluate the clinical evidence for Tai Chi and Qigong as therapeutic interventions for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). Methods: Fourteen English-language publications (5 completed randomized controlled trials, 3 study protocols, 3 systematic reviews/meta-analyses, 2 non-randomized interventions, and 1 case series) were identified via PubMed and individually summarized with the assistance of the artificial intelligence tool Grok (xAI). Study design, participant characteristics, intervention protocols, primary outcomes, biomarkers, proposed mechanisms, safety profile, limitations, and clinical implications were extracted and synthesized. Results: Interventions lasting 4-16 weeks (most commonly Baduanjin Qigong, 24-style Tai Chi, PLWNT, and Wu Xing Ping Heng Gong) consistently demonstrated moderate-to-large reductions in fatigue severity (pooled SMD 0.85, 95% CI 0.64-1.07 compared with passive controls), improvements in sleep quality (SMD 0.34, 95% CI 0.10-0.57), depression (SMD 0.53, 95% CI 0.34-0.72), anxiety, health-related quality of life, and functional capacity. Beneficial biomarker changes