It seems everyone that comes to me for advice or help has a common complaint, “I’m tired”. Of course there are quick fixes that can give temporary relief through drug therapy, which carries its own set of concerns. Bio-identical hormone replacement is an extremely effective method in dealing with fatigue. While hormone replacement is a much safer and less toxic approach than some drugs it still does not address the problem, underlying fatigue.
We should understand that one of the primary functions of the body is to produce energy from the food we eat. When cellular energy production declines for any reason, the resulting symptom is fatigue. Causes for fatigue are the result of imbalanced oxidation rates, incomplete energy pathways, heavy metal toxicity, glandular imbalances and sugar and carbohydrate intolerance.
Although fatigue is not considered a disease there are still signs that may indicate a fatigue problem such as:
Addiction to stimulants
Allergies
Constipation
Cravings for sweets or salt
Difficulty concentrating
Distaste for animal protein and fat
Excessive sensitivity to stress
Feelings of apathy and mental depression
Inability to cope with stress
Impaired thinking and memory loss
Fatigue is the prime symptom caused by inadequate cellular energy production in the body. Reasons for this reduced production can be attributed to a wide range of factors, including: lack of rest, infection, chronic diseases, muscular tension, emotional upset and very often nutritional imbalances or deficiencies. Let us consider some causes for this sometimes debilitating condition that many deal with on a daily basis.
The Oxidation Rate: A simplified explanation is it is the rate at which food is burned or oxidized. All biochemical oxidation has an optimum rate of reaction. When the rate is too slow, energy efficiency declines drastically.
Glucose Intolerance and Fatigue: A steady supply of glucose at the cellular level is essential for optimum energy production. Many times fatigue is caused by some degree of sugar intolerance, or the inability to properly regulate cellular glucose levels. The result may be either high or low sugar levels in the blood. However, at the cellular level the effect is always a deficiency of available glucose, which can result in fatigue.
Insulin Metabolism and Zinc: Insulin is a hormone which is necessary for the utilization of glucose. Insulin grabs glucose and carries it to the cell where Potassium transports it across the cell membrane. This is where glucose is burned (oxidized) for energy. Zinc is required in the production and release of insulin into the blood. It holds the hormone together allowing it to be active longer in the blood stream. When zinc levels are low, insulin's effectiveness is limited, causing a deficiency of glucose at the cellular level, again resulting in fatigue.
Emotional Stress such as frustration, hostility, worry and fear deplete vital nutrients wearing down the adrenal glands ability to respond to stress.
Minerals in the Energy Pathway: Minerals perform key roles in the energy pathway. They act as catalysts, activators and co-factors that enable the energy system to function. For example:
Magnesium is a catalyst for several hundred enzymes, including adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the molecule used as fuel for cellular activity.
Iodine is involved in the production of thyroid hormones, while Potassium helps sensitize the cell so the thyroid hormones can be used.
Energy production in the Krebs cycle requires Iron and Copper.
Manganese is needed in the mitochondria for energy production within all cells.
Insulin production and release require Zinc. Chromium is also involved in insulin metabolism.
Hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying molecule, requires Iron and Copper for its synthesis (Analytical Research Laboritories, Inc., 1993).
Vitamins in the Energy Pathway: Many vitamins are involved directly or indirectly in the energy pathway.
B vitamins are involved in many steps in the glycolysis and citric acid cycles.
Vitamins A, C and E protect delicate enzymes from destruction by free radicals.
Vitamin F, or the essential fatty acids, are needed to maintain cell membranes.
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are a common cause of energy loss and fatigue (Analytical Research Laboritories, Inc., 1993).
Lifestyle: This is a category that can take on its own report so we’ll settle for touching on a few things. The big question is how much sleep are you getting each night? This is a downward spiral for those suffering from fatigue since it takes energy to sleep and adequate sleep is necessary to combat fatigue. More rest is essential in overcoming fatigue along with a nutritional approach.
Developing healthful eating habits is another important lifestyle factor. A balance of protein, fats and cooked vegetables are necessary in promoting and maintaining good health.
Fatigue is real. It hinders us in our pursuit of excellence, happiness, family and most of all life. It is a shame that people accept this condition by offering excuses, ignoring the truth and walking in denial. And unfortunately, this is a condition with very few answers in the medical world. Hope is offered in pharmaceuticals and guesses. Nutritional Balancing is a life change that provides reliable answers.