Fatigue! Mornings start with multiple hits to the snooze button, burning eyes as you drag yourself (grumpily) out of bed; coffee, tea or some other kind of stimulant to get you going and hoping you’ll have enough energy to make it through the day. If this is you, it may be time to take a look at what’s really going on because: 1) This is not normal, and 2) There are options to help you fix this.
On average, 10% of individuals worldwide are suffering from persistent fatigue and according to the National Institute of Health, 1 out of 5 North Americans report that their fatigue interferes with day-to-day life.
There are a multitude of factors that may be causing this state of fatigue, so let’s take a look at the most common ones that can be easily addressed and make a significant difference so you can start your day energized, instead of dragging on, and stay that way.
1) Nutrient Deficiencies
Nutrient deficiencies are probably the most common cause of fatigue. Despite the fact that we all insist that we eat well and consume all of our fruits and veggies, this probably isn’t even close to the truth. Are you REALLY getting in at least 5 servings a day? Probably not. And now, we need closer to 10 to 13 servings in order to get the most nutrient benefits. Secondly, even if we do, the nutrient content in our foods isn’t what it used to be, so we’re often nutrient deficient, despite our best intentions. Once we get that way, food alone can’t replete that deficiency, meaning we have to supplement to get those energy levels back where we need them.
The biggest contributor to nutrient deficiency is digestive health. Any medical condition affecting the digestive tract, such as Crohn’s, colitis or IBS, or even poor dietary choices, such as excess alcohol, junk food and even gluten or dairy, can contribute to inflammation in the gut, impairing the ability of the body to absorb nutrients. Some of the key nutrients impacted are our B vitamins. These water-soluble vitamins play a primary role in a multitude of reactions in the body and actually contribute to natural energy production. Anemia is another nutrient impacted by poor digestive health and often low iron stores are at the root of chronic fatigue. This can be checked with a simple blood test and easily rectified if levels are lagging. Although B vitamins are not commonly tested, a simple B complex supplement can make an enormous difference when it comes to energy levels. Try TrueBASICS for Men / Women as well as TrueB Complex as your energy-boosting option. B vitamins also help the body to manage stress, so you enjoy dual benefits from B vitamin supplementation. You may also want to consider seeing your naturopathic doctor for micronutrient testing, which will give a more in-depth indication of which nutrients may be lacking.
2) Hormones
The second most common influencer of energy levels would be our hormones, specifically our thyroid hormones. Our thyroid hormones (T3, triiodothyronine, and T4, L-thyroxine), play a key role in our metabolism and our energy levels. Other hormones may play a role in our fatigue, such as estrogen or testosterone imbalances. These are easily measured, so consult your doctor to have you hormone levels checked.
If hormone imbalances are suspect, supporting the liver is a good first course of action, since the liver plays a role in hormone regulation. TrueDETOX & Cleanseis the best starting option here, but don’t forget to consult your primary health care provider if you think your hormones might be a little out of balance.
3) Stress & Adrenal Fatigue
Stress is a primary contributor to fatigue, and yet is often overlooked as a source. If you take the time to look at the fast-paced, on-the-go lifestyle that we all seem to live, you may realize that stress is a prime contributor. If we don’t give ourselves any downtime to relax and recuperate, our bodies become overworked and can’t meet the stress demands we’re placing on them. Our adrenal glands are small glands that sit on top of the kidneys and manage our stress response. These little glands can start to malfunction, leading to adrenal fatigue and severe physical fatigue. If you suffer from fatigue due to stress, using something like coffee or other stimulants to get you going just won’t work. You’re trying to stimulate a gland that is already burnt out. It just won’t work and will make your fatigue a little worse. In this case, you need to start healing and support those tired adrenals. Using adaptogens and sources to produce energy in your body naturally are your best options. My favourite isTrueENDURANCE and TrueSTRESS Support. These are better options thanTrueENERGY, since they support those tired adrenals and actually assist your body in managing stress, while giving you the energy you need.
If fatigue is a constant struggle and you’ve ruled out any other medical condition, consider these options and I’m sure you’ll start feeling a difference soon.