Supplements for post viral fatigue - 18 year old DS

[SeeYouWhenISeeYou]

18 YO DS is in his first year of Uni. He has been run down for months, with what looks and feels like a cold that never goes away. Literally months. He was feeling very unwell on Sat, couldn't get a GP app until mid May, so he was told to go to A&E to check bloods and urine. Thank goodness he went on Sat because although he waited 7 hours to be seen, today would have been a very different story with the nurses strike.

Anyway. He was told that he has post viral fatigue and that he just needs rest. This is always tricky as he's in an extremely competitive course under a lot of pressure, with final year exams coming up. We have discussed looking after the basics like sleep, nutrition, exercise etc, but I wanted to do a little research on the best combination of supplements for him, and I just thought I'd ask here for recommendations. I'd appreciate any advice. Thank you!

Hello. I had long covid was suggested lots of vitamins. This is what helped me: magnesium, vitamin D, coenzyme q10, and an antihistamine. You have to add each one for a month or so if you want to work out if it has any affect or not.

www.boots.com/metatone-original-flavour-tonic-500ml-10000770

I swear by this!

I do too! I took it after the flu and it worked wonders.

Thank you all. The tonic sounds good. Unfortunately it's out of stock online and Amazon sell the smaller size but more expensive, which is unusual for Amazon but there you go. I'll ask him to check his local Boots in case he can find it there. I'll look into the supplement combination you have recommended also, @nofusspot, and any further advice/recommendations will be very welcome.

Try floradix. Comes in tablet form so easy to take.

Ginseng is really good for fatigue.

The other thing which is worth thinking about is giving up caffeine. If he’s really tired it feels counterproductive but after a week or two it really makes a difference to overall energy levels.

He could also look at reducing carbs and increasing protein in his diet which is also helpful with tiredness

Oh yes no caffeine- get off the caffeine and sugar if you can and try to fill diet with lots of veg

Caffeine isn't an issue for DS, but sugar is a MASSIVE issue.
I do understand that it's difficult for him to find the time to shop, cook, etc, and he's got into the habit of having a snack cupboard which is full of biscuits, chocolate and sweets.
If I was to order a parcel from amazon with snacks and things, what do you think might be helpful? Unfortunately he doesn't like nuts at all.

You would be better off buying him some sort of ready meals or gousto/hello fresh - I’ve had gousto and they do a range of 10 minute meals which maybe he could try. Better than snacks all the time. Or order him a fruit delivery.

Most important are Vit D spray and Feroglobin iron capsules (or Floradix but they're twice the price) and maybe add a multi vitamin or fizzy berocca. It's also worth trying one of those gut balancing yoghurt drinks.

He needs a healthier diet. If he doesn't cook, maybe he good buy a pre-roasted chicken from the supermarket and eat it with salad and a pouch of rice. DS has found some healthy options in Tesco lunch deals that he often has on campus.

And he needs regular gentle exercise. Walking, cycling, swimming, very short gym session of weights. These help get your strength back.

Gosh this sounds worrying, and it’s hard when your son is just an adult and away at uni so you can’t do it all for him, he has to do some for himself. Is there something you are not getting to the bottom of here? Will he tell you honestly about lifestyle ?
if the blood tests did not show up any deficiencies then taking lots of supplements may not be much help. However nutrition is extremely important and eating well would certainly help him recover.
Perhaps he should let the university know he is unwell and may need to defer his exams?
Perhaps he could come home for a few days and you could both see whether just a few days of home comforts, sleep and food makes a difference?
Also he should go to his GP?

What is his diet like though? He should be getting what he needs through diet really, and the only thing to supplement is vit D/K2 in the winter.

A portion of liver has every nutrient you need in high quantities and it is readily absorbed by the body, unlike supplements. Genuinely liver once a week for a few months will do more than any supplement.