Beach Metro Community News

Do you often wake up feeling tired or even exhausted, no matter how much sleep you have had? Do you find yourself dragging your feet throughout the day with minimal energy to sustain you? Do you need to have that cup of coffee in order to “wake up”? If you have answered yes to any of the above questions, you are not alone. Fatigue or lack of energy is the most common complaint that many people suffer from. Although, not a disease in itself, fatigue is a sign of some other imbalance in the body. The solution to fighting fatigue (as with any other complaint), is to determine and treat the cause of the imbalance. If you do find yourself often lacking in vitality, the problem could be one of the following:

Food Allergies/Nutritional Deficiencies/Improper Diet

Eating foods that we are allergic or sensitive to can rob us of energy, since we cannot metabolize these foods properly. Food allergy testing may be important to determine what foods may be problematic for you. Lack of nutrients such as iron, B12 and protein can also be a cause of low energy, especially in people who follow a vegetarian/vegan diet. Other nutrient deficiencies to consider are: the B complex vitamins, vitamin C, minerals, and enzymes. A review of symptoms and examination of your diet by a qualified healthcare practitioner can help to determine if you may be lacking in important nutrients. A poor diet, lacking in nutritional content will certainly contribute to low energy.

Adrenal Exhaustion/Stress

Long-term stress overburdens the adrenal glands (organs which sit on top of our kidneys and produce many important hormones, including those which respond to stress). Weakened adrenals can result in fatigue (as well as low blood sugar, low blood pressure, allergies, insomnia, etc.)

Hypothyroidism

An underfunctioning thyroid gland often contributes to low energy and often goes hand in hand with adrenal exhaustion. A simple blood test or taking one’s basal body temperature in the morning for at least four days, can determine if someone has an underactive thyroid. Other symptoms of hypothyroid include: hair loss, dry skin, easy weight gain, chilliness, and constipation.

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can also result from prolonged stress/adrenal exhaustion and is one of the most common causes of fatigue, especially in the mid-morning or afternoon. A diet high in refined foods (including sugar) and caffeine can worsen this problem.

Toxicity

We are all exposed to toxins every day (e.g. environmental chemicals/pollutants, heavy metals, food additives/preservatives, toxins in our bowels) and when our body’s capacity to process these toxins is compromised, our tissues and cells become poisoned. This can lead to symptoms such as: sluggishness, headaches, allergies, and depression. A detoxification program can help to eliminate these contaminants from our bodies and alleviate these symptoms.

Infectious Agents

An invasion or overgrowth of certain bacteria, viruses, parasites, and yeasts can steal our energy reserves from us. Some common culprits include: Candida albicans (yeast), Epstein-Barr Virus (suspected cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), and Borrelia burgdorferi (which causes Lyme Disease).

Sleep Disorders/Lack of Sleep

One of the most obvious causes of fatigue is lack of sleep. Unfortunately, in today’s society, most people are chronically sleep-deprived. For some, lack of sleep is due to simply doing too much and sacrificing sleep, while for others, the problems may lie in difficulty falling asleep (due to stress, worry, overthinking) or waking up during the night (can be due to a drop in blood sugar). These problems can be addressed with proper nutrition or stress management techniques.

Lack of Exercise

No matter what the cause of the fatigue, exercise can increase vitality and energy by stimulating the circulation of blood and lymph (this action clears toxins from our body and brings nutrition to our tissues).

It is evident that many factors can contribute to fatigue, however, once the origin of the fatigue is determined, proper nutrition and dietary habits, as well as specific supplements, herbal medicines, and lifestyle changes can effectively combat this problem.

Note: This article is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace proper diagnosis and treatment by a qualified healthcare professional.