By: Kelli Kieselbach
Are you tired all the time, waking unrefreshed and left wondering where your zest for life has gone?
Ongoing, unrelenting fatigue has become a problem for many Australians. Fatigue can vary greatly in severity from being mildly uncomfortable to heavily impacting on daily activities in chronic cases. Thankfully there are a number of ways that natural medicines and diet and lifestyle improvement, can assist with building up those energy stores once again.
So how is energy produced?
The body produces energy within the mitochondria. Mitochondria are small components that exist within each of our body cells. Like little batteries, they are responsible for producing power (energy) required for our bodies to function at every level.
Even in healthy people, these powerhouses can’t produce energy of their own accord but require ‘fuel’ or nutrients from our diet to make energy. Energy production will not happen optimally without enough of the right nutrients. A consistent supply of Magnesium, B group vitamins, Co enzyme Q10, iron, Lipoic acid and amino acids, plus more, are all important for optimal energy production. Getting enough of these required nutrients through your diet is a first step to alleviating fatigue & tiredness. And making sure you are absorbing them is just as important! Unfortunately many people do not get their recommended daily intake of many of these nutrients and may even have a greater demand for them because of malabsorption, poor diet, medications, alcohol, stress, genetic factors, infection or other imbalances within their body.
There are many reasons why we might be experiencing fatigue. For some, fatigue may be stemming from a deeper imbalance within the body such as infections, stress, unstable blood sugars, toxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, hormone imbalances, Thyroid dysfunction, low iron and other nutritional deficiencies. There is often more than one cause which is why a thorough health assessment is important. All these areas need to be addressed specifically according to the individual. This is where your Naturopath will be able to help you greatly by offering you strategies and effective Herbal and nutritional medicines to help you get your energy back by addressing the cause of fatigue. Here are some foundational tips that everyone can benefit from to boost their energy levels
- Eat a fresh, well balanced diet with protein at each meal and plenty of vegetables and do not skip meals.
- Make sure you are drinking plenty of water to stay well hydrated
- Avoid stimulants such as sugar, coffee, chocolate and refined carbohydrates. These might give a burst of so called ‘energy’ but can wreak havoc on your sugar levels and exhaust you if used regularly
- Get regular exercise that is within your limits (especially if fatigue is chronic)
- Get some fresh air and sunshine every day.
- Increase your anti-oxidant intake. Include superfoods such as Acai berries, Spirulina, Blueberries & Goji berries
- Do a gentle detox (best done with the guidance of a practitioner to make sure it is done safely and effectively)
- Have relaxation time every day and try to get a minimum of 8 hours sleep
- Where possible reduce stress in your life and investigate techniques for managing stress more effectively
- Avoid your exposure to chemicals as much as possible. Be aware of the ingredients contained within your cosmetics, body care products and cleaning products and start moving toward gentler products with more friendly ingredients.
Being tired all the time can severely affect your quality of life and prevent you from doing many of the things you love. See us today to find out how we can help you bounce back into life!
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general interest and education only. It is not designed to replace the advice of your doctor or natural therapist. Herbal and nutritional medicines should be prescribed by a health professional trained in these fields to ensure they are both safe and beneficial.
Article supplied with thanks to Kelli Kieselbach.
About the Author: Kelli Kieselbach is a Naturopath and Nutritionist with a passion for a holistic and natural approach to health and wellbeing. She also works to educate Christian ministry leaders in self care and avoiding burnout.
Feature image: Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash