Fatigue in adults and older individuals: new clinical evidence on a multicomponent nutritional support

Chronic fatigue, defined as a persistent sensation of physical and mental exhaustion that is disproportionate to exertion and not fully relieved by rest, is an increasingly prevalent condition among adult and older populations. In recent years, it has emerged as one of the most commonly reported complaints in clinical practice, attracting growing scientific and medical interest due to its impact on functional independence, quality of life, and overall well-being.

Fatigue is frequently associated with chronic comorbidities, physiological ageing, and a progressive decline in functional reserves. Within this context, research has progressively shifted toward integrated management strategies, aiming to complement conventional clinical care with targeted nutritional interventions.

Recent clinical evidence: study published in Nutrition Hospitalaria

A recent prospective observational study, published in January 2026 in the international journal Nutrition Hospitalaria — the official journal of the Spanish Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (SENPE) — evaluated the efficacy and safety of a multicomponent nutritional supplement in a large cohort of adults and older individuals experiencing chronic fatigue.

The study, entitled “Efficacy and safety of a nutritional supplement based on vitamins, minerals, amino acids and plant extracts on a large population of older adults experiencing fatigue”, was conducted by Dr. Silvia Giovannini (Department of Geriatrics and Orthopaedics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore). To date, it represents one of the largest population-based analyses investigating nutritional support in the context of adult and age-related fatigue.

Study design and population characteristics

The study enrolled 458 participants (167 men and 291 women), with a mean age of 69 years. All subjects had received a clinical diagnosis of chronic physical and mental fatigue from their general practitioner prior to enrolment.
The most frequently reported comorbid conditions within the study population included:

• Chronic arthritis/osteoarthritis (19.3%)
• Cardiovascular disease (11.8%)
• Advanced age-related frailty (10.6%)
• Overweight or obesity (10.3%)

Participants received the nutritional supplement Apportal® for 35 consecutive days according to a two-phase dosing regimen:

• Two sachets daily during the first 7 days
• One sachet daily during the subsequent 28 days

Clinical outcomes were assessed using validated instruments:

• The Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) to evaluate physical and mental fatigue
• The SF-12 Health Survey to assess quality of life, including both physical and mental components

Assessments were performed at baseline (T0), after 7 days (T1), and at the end of supplementation (T2).

In practical terms, the study monitored changes in perceived fatigue and quality of life over a five-week period in a large and clinically representative adult and elderly population.

Observed results

Over the course of the observation period, a progressive improvement was documented across the evaluated parameters. Specifically:

• The overall negative impact of fatigue on daily activities decreased by more than 50% on average, affecting both physical and mental domains.
• The proportion of participants reporting significant fatigue declined from 94% at baseline to 34% at study completion.
• SF-12 scores demonstrated improvement in both physical and mental components.
• A statistically significant improvement was already observed after the first week of supplementation, with continued favourable progression through week five.

Regarding safety and adherence:

• Treatment adherence was high, with 87% of participants consuming at least 90% of the prescribed doses.
• Reported adverse events were mild and did not result in clinically relevant treatment discontinuations.

In summary, within the observational framework of the study, supplementation was associated with a reduction in perceived fatigue and improvement in quality of life, with a favourable safety and tolerability profile.

Interpretation of findings

The results suggest that a targeted combination of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and plant extracts may be associated with progressive improvement in chronic fatigue symptoms and perceived well-being among adults and older individuals.
However, several methodological considerations must be acknowledged:

• The study was observational in design.
• No placebo-controlled comparison group was included.
• Outcome measures were based on self-administered questionnaires, which may introduce reporting bias.

The authors therefore emphasize the need for randomized controlled trials to further validate and expand upon these findings.

A foundational contribution to fatigue research

Despite its methodological limitations, the study is notable for:

• The substantial sample size, exceeding that of many previous clinical experiences in this area;
• The use of validated assessment tools;
• The simultaneous evaluation of efficacy, safety, and adherence parameters.

In practical terms, in a large and representative population, nutritional support was associated with improvements in fatigue perception and quality of life — key endpoints in the management of chronic fatigue.

Conclusions

The study recently published in Nutrition Hospitalaria provides updated clinical evidence regarding the potential role of a multicomponent nutritional supplement in the management of chronic fatigue among adults and older individuals.

While recognizing the inherent limitations of an observational study design, the findings contribute to the evolving landscape of supportive strategies for a complex and increasingly prevalent condition in the general population.

Future analyses within this evidence series will examine fatigue in more specific clinical settings, including post-stroke fatigue and iron deficiency across different stages of pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Read the full study in Nutrition Hospitalaria

Disclaimer

This content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and does not replace the clinical judgment of healthcare professionals. Therapeutic decisions must be based on individual patient assessment and current clinical guidelines.