Nicolson, Garth L, Rosenblatt, Steven, de Mattos, Gonzalo Ferreira et al. · Discoveries (Craiova, Romania) · 2016 · DOI
This study examines oral supplements containing special fats (lipids) and antioxidants designed to repair damaged cell membranes, which the authors suggest accumulate in aging and chronic diseases like ME/CFS. The researchers reviewed evidence suggesting these supplements may help reduce fatigue and restore energy-producing mitochondria in cells. The authors propose this approach could benefit people with various conditions including chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and other chronic illnesses.
For ME/CFS patients, this study proposes a mechanism linking membrane damage to cellular dysfunction and fatigue, and suggests a relatively safe nutritional intervention. Understanding potential approaches to restore mitochondrial function is relevant given the bioenergetic impairment documented in ME/CFS research.
This narrative review does not prove that MLR supplements are effective for ME/CFS, as it presents a synthesis without rigorous meta-analysis or critical appraisal of study quality. The review does not establish causation between membrane lipid damage and ME/CFS symptoms, nor does it demonstrate superiority over standard treatments. Individual study designs, blinding status, and effect sizes are not detailed, making it impossible to assess the strength of evidence presented.
About the PEM badge: “PEM required” means post-exertional malaise was an explicit required diagnostic criterion for participant inclusion in this study — not that PEM was studied, observed, or discussed. Studies using criteria that do not require PEM (e.g. Fukuda, Oxford) are tagged “PEM not required”. How the atlas works →
The first block is for the primary paper and is the citation you should use in research work. The atlas-snapshot line only applies if you are specifically referring to this atlas’s reading of the paper on the date shown.
Primary citation
Nicolson, Garth L, Rosenblatt, Steven, de Mattos, Gonzalo Ferreira, Settineri, Robert, Breeding, Paul C, Ellithorpe, Rita R, et al. (2016). Clinical Uses of Membrane Lipid Replacement Supplements in Restoring Membrane Function and Reducing Fatigue in Chronic Diseases and Cancer.. Discoveries (Craiova, Romania). https://doi.org/10.15190/d.2016.1
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-nicolson-2016-clinical-uses,
author = {Nicolson, Garth L and Rosenblatt, Steven and de Mattos, Gonzalo Ferreira and Settineri, Robert and Breeding, Paul C and Ellithorpe, Rita R and Ash, Michael E},
title = {Clinical Uses of Membrane Lipid Replacement Supplements in Restoring Membrane Function and Reducing Fatigue in Chronic Diseases and Cancer.},
journal = {Discoveries (Craiova, Romania)},
year = {2016},
doi = {10.15190/d.2016.1},
note = {PubMed: 32309576},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/nicolson-2016-clinical-uses},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-25. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/nicolson-2016-clinical-uses
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