ME Association

22/10/2026

The Daily Mail interviews Dr Charles Shepherd about supplement for brain fog and fatigue

On the 21st October, the Daily Mail published a new article, with the headline, “The ‘chemo' supplement that could beat brain fog and fatigue: Users swear by it… and now scientists share promising evidence it could actually help.”

Oxaloacetate is involved in chemical pathways that convert nutrients into cellular energy. New research has been done into its use in breast cancer survivors, but there has previously been studies into it's usage for people with ME/CFS and Long Covid.

Dr Charles Shepherd, MEA Hon. Medical Adviser, was interviewed as part of this article, and we share on the blog some notes on the key points Dr Shepherd made during the interview (which were not all published) about this supplement which you may find useful.

Read more: https://meassociation.org.uk/uzne

Daily Mail article (PAYWALLED): https://www.dailymail.com/health/article-16223355/chemo-brain-supplement-beat-brain-fog-fatigue.html

22/10/2026

Trackstaa: Beth Dobbin writes to the Prime Minister about ME/CFS

"Former British Olympian Beth Dobbin has written an open letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, calling for greater government investment in research and treatment for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME).

The former Scottish 200m record holder spoke to BBC Sport last week about her devastating battle with the condition, which has seen her go from training five hours a day as an elite athlete to spending more than 22 hours a day confined to bed.

Following the widespread response to her interview, Dobbin is now using her platform to highlight the struggles faced by thousands of others living with ME.

In her letter, she raises concerns over a lack of research funding, limited specialist NHS support and the devastating impact the illness can have on people’s independence and ability to work.

A powerful appeal from an athlete whose battle now extends far beyond the track."

22/10/2026

PRIME symposium: Professor Danny Altmann Q&A

This is very good and inciteful presentation and a short Q&A from Professor Danny Altmann at the recent PRIME symposium.

Danny summarised his thoughts about recent publications and findings in Long Covid research, explaining why scientists need to 'do better', that ME/CFS and Long Covid were complex diseases with no easy answers; and that ME/CFS and Long Covid should be studied together.

The ME Association has provided its largest ever grant (£1.175M) to Imperial College to complete the Rosetta Stone study, and Danny gives a useful overview of the project and why he feels it is so important.

We will be publishing a further update about Rosetta very soon that will confirm team recruitment and ethical approval. There will also be an opportunity to apply for Public Advisory Group (PAG) membership and we hope to be in a position to begin recruiting for a final cohort of people with ME/CFS and Long Covid before the end of the year.

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmJ-Lkm-0zE

Rosetta Stone project detail: https://meassociation.org.uk/vzfy/

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

22/10/2026

ITV Border News covers the new appointment to the UK ME/CFS Biobank Steering Group ( a short clip that starts at 0.23)

The ME Association are pleased to announce the appointment of Yvette Jackson to the Biobank CureME Steering Group.

More information here: https://meassociation.org.uk/c17b

Further coverage from ITV Borders in this evening's news.

21/10/2026

Long Covid - personal journeys

An update from 'Physics girl' in America - who some people may already be aware of from her videos and podcasts...

https://www.kpbs.org/news/arts-culture/2026/10/21/nobody-knows-what-to-do-how-long-covid-left-physics-girl-searching-for-answers

Dr Charles Shepherd
Hon Medical Adviser MEA.

San Diego's Dianna Cowern, also known as Physics Girl, was one of the internet's most popular science communicators.  Long COVID left her bedbound and facing a medical mystery with life-and-death stakes.

21/10/2026

21/10/2026

BBC coverage of the letter that Beth Dobbin has written to the Prime Minister regarding research funding for ME/CFS.

The BBC has asked Number 10 to comment !

Well Done Beth....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/articles/cmewe4x4vnk5o

Dr Charles Shepherd
Hon Medical Adviser MEA.

Former British sprinter Beth Dobbin calls on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to fund more research into "life-decimating" ME.

21/10/2026

65 days until Christmas! Buy your ME Association Christmas Cards today (Free UK Delivery)

Choose from 3 lovely designs - £4.50 for a pack of 10

The wording inside the card reads: ‘Season’s Greetings and Best Wishes for the New Year’.

6 inches x 6 inches (15cm x 15cm)

https://meassociation.org.uk/product/christmas-cards-tree/

21/10/2026

Sharing for information: Independent: Dr Amir Khan explains Miranda Hart’s ME symptoms as Celebrity Traitors star reveals impact of chronic illness

N.B. The ME Association are not recommending that people with ME/CFS should undertake this sort of quite strenuous physical exercise until they have had a sustained period of good health that is consistent with improvement/recovery. Also, to note, tiredness doesn't explain the profound fatigue experienced by people with ME/CFS.

"Doctor Amir Khan explained more about the condition during ITV’s Lorraine show on Tuesday (20 October). He said: “ME is a chronic, serous condition that affects lots of parts of the body, including tiredness, the immune system, the brain function. It is really widespread."

https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/culture/miranda-hart-chronic-illness-doctor-symptoms-b3069849.html

Celebrity Traitors star Miranda Hart recently opened up about her chronic health battle, admitting she feared she would never enjoy a gentle walk again. The comedian was diagnosed with ME (Myalgic encephalomyelitis), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, in 2024 which prevented her from enjoying h...