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In my Nutritional Therapy practice it is fairly common to see a patient who is specifically seeking help for low energy, and even if someone comes to me with a different primary concern, I would say nine times out of ten, fatigue will be an issue to some degree. Often people cannot identify why they feel tired but are keen to find answers because it is seriously impacting upon their lives. This problem is often labeled by G.P’s as T.A.T.T. – ‘tired all the time’.
Possible Causes Of Low Energy
There can, of course, be many reasons for feeling tired all the time – some of which can be diagnosed via your GP. These include anaemia, coeliac disease, and hypothyroidism, all of which share the symptom of low energy. However, the medical profession believe that only 20 – 30% of TATT cases have a discernable physical problem.
In fact, there are many causes that doctors may not so readily identify or even, in some cases, recognise as legitimate. These include allergies, adrenal fatigue, low blood sugar, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and candida. Effective treatment will need changes in diet and lifestyle, correction of any nutritional deficiencies, support for the liver and/or adrenal glands, and a general reduction of the body’s toxic load.
ENERGY SAPPING FOODS include sugar, refined carbohydrates, coffee, wheat, and alcohol.
ENERGY BOOSTING FOODS include fruit and vegetables, wholegrains such as brown rice, nuts, seeds and oily fish. Keeping hydrated with water is also important.
How Do You Know What The Underlying Cause Is?
It’s not always easy! The first person to see is your GP who will test you if they suspect conditions such as the already mentioned anaemia, coeliac disease and hypothyroidism and they should also recognise if the symptoms stem from depression or chronic anxiety. If these conditions are ruled out and your GP cannot help, then a Nutritional Therapist can take an in depth consultation to ascertain the underlying cause, arrange testing if necessary (for allergies, adrenal fatigue etc), help you improve your diet and prescribe appropriate supplementation.
Here are a few possible causes of being ‘tired all the time’:
Adrenal Fatigue
Although adrenal fatigue affects millions of people around the world, conventional medicine does not yet recognise it as a distinct syndrome. So what is Adrenal Fatigue?
Dr James Wilson, who has written a very informative book on the subject, provides the following information: Adrenal fatigue is a collection of signs and symptoms that results when the adrenal glands function below the necessary level. Most commonly associated with intense or prolonged stress, it can also arise during or after acute or chronic infections, especially respiratory infections such as influenza, bronchitis or pneumonia. As the name suggests, its paramount symptom is fatigue that is not relieved by sleep.
Adrenal fatigue can wreak havoc with your life. Changes occur in your metabolism, fluid and electrolyte balance, heart and cardiovascular system, and even sex drive. Many other alterations take place at the biochemical and cellular levels in response to, and to compensate for, the decrease in adrenal hormones that occurs with adrenal fatigue. Your body does its best to make up for under-functioning adrenal glands, but it does so at a price.
Are You Experiencing Adrenal Fatigue?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, then you may well be.
Adrenal Fatigue And Low Blood Sugar
If you have adrenal fatigue, when you eat is almost as important as what you eat. By eating natural, high quality food at frequent, regular intervals, you can help avoid low drops in blood sugar and make a difference in your adrenal health and energy levels.
When To Eat
One of the major mistakes made by people with low adrenal output is not eating soon enough after waking. This is vital in helping to replenish the waning stored blood sugar supply after the previous night's energy needs.
An early lunch, preferably before noon, is better than a late lunch because your body quickly uses up the morning nourishment and is ready for more. You should also eat a nutritious snack between 2 and 3 pm to sustain yourself for the cortisol dip that typically occurs between 3 and 4 pm. Your evening meal should be eaten early at around 6 pm.
What To Eat And Drink
If you suffer from adrenal fatigue, you will do best combining healthy fats, protein and complex carbohydrates (like whole grains) at every meal and snack. This combination helps provide a steady stream of energy throughout the day. It is important to remember that foods that are converted too quickly into energy (like sugary snacks or highly processed foods) will quickly let you down. Plenty of fruit and vegetables are also recommended and avoidance of sugar, caffeine and alcohol. There are certain supplements for the adrenals that are very effective but you would need professional guidance for this.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
If after six months those feelings of exhaustion haven't gone away then you may have chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis), is a potentially disabling neurological disorder.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and ME include: profound exhaustion, muscle pain, memory loss or concentration, sore throat or enlarged lymph glands, abdominal pain, fever or chills, sensitivity to light, noise and smell, disturbed sleep patterns and persistent headaches. Sufferers often complain of disturbed sleep, but in many cases a good night's sleep will not make any difference. When CFS/ME was first outlined as a condition in the 1980s many doctors were sceptical about whether it was a real condition or 'all in the mind.'
It is estimated that around two-thirds of all cases are preceded by a viral infection of some kind. It is also common for many patients to report periods of stress during or before the viral infection took hold. CFS/ME may also be triggered by an immunisation or traumatic event.
It can last anywhere between a few months and many years. Only 20 per cent of sufferers are likely to make a full recovery in two to four years, and around 60 per cent of people will improve significantly, especially with good diet and supplements.
How To Treat CFS
This really isn’t something you should tackle on your own, though following the advice for Adrenal Fatigue will help, as will a good high potency probiotic and identifying any possible allergies.
Candida
Candida is controversial. The medical profession denies its existence, except in very limited cases, but an overgrowth can be confirmed by a laboratory test arranged by a Nutritional Therapist. Moderate amounts of candida live in everyone without causing any harm, but when given free rein to grow unchecked, e.g. by wiping out the surrounding bacteria with antibiotics, Candida can change into its fungal form and spore through the intestinal wall into the rest of the body. Once through, it rampages around the body producing a multitude of symptoms, including fatigue.
Treating Candida
Again, it would be wise to seek professional help if you suspect you may have a candida overgrowth, but as a general guide you would want to avoid all yeasts or moulds ie. mushrooms, cheese, alcohol, dried fruit, peanuts and also all sugar and wheat. Food allergies should be ruled out as this can be a contributory cause and a general detox programme should be undertaken. High strength probiotics would certainly be important, as may caprylic acid which can be a very effective treatment.
Allergies
Allergies can be an underlying cause of fatigue. I remember a patient who came to me with very low energy and every night fell asleep on the sofa by 7.30pm because she was so tired. By the simple act of removing all wheat from her diet, she was transformed and reported that she had taken to ironing at 11pm she had so much energy – something she could never have done before!
How Do Allergies And Intolerances Make You Tired?
Food allergies and intolerances lead to tiredness in three main ways.
What To Do If You Suspect You Have An Allergy Or Intolerance?
A blood test is the best way to establish whether you have an allergy or intolerance. Unfortunately, some GP’s are reluctant to take allergies seriously but there are many tests on the market including the ones from York Laboratories and a home kit available from The Food Detective. It isn’t always necessary to do one though. I can often eliminate certain food(s) I suspect to be problematic for a patient which can then make a huge improvement to their energy levels. Testing is useful if the allergen is more unusual than the more common wheat, dairy or soya allergy/intolerances.
So in conclusion, if you’re tired all the time, consider any of these possible causes. And don’t despair because once you have established the underlying cause, you can get on with doing something about it and then look forward to improving your energy.
Article by Vanessa May, Nutritional Therapist BSc, CNHC, NTC and BANT reg.
www.wellbeingandnutrition.co.uk
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