When you’re tired of feeling tired

Did you know that 1 in 5 patients complain of fatigue on a daily basis? Of those, only 3 per cent have a diagnosed cause. There are four identifiable factors as to why most people are fatigued most of the time:

Adequate Nutrition – the key nutrients which are required to produce energy to maintain mitochondrial function (the powerhouse of every cell in your body) are iron, acetyl L-carnitine, lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10, magnesium and all of the B vitamins.

These contribute to keeping the mitochondrial function going.  A reduction in these nutrients will inevitably result in a lack of energy production.

Thyroid Function – the thyroid runs the body’s metabolic rate and is closely related to energy production.  Supporting normal healthy thyroid function is important to maintain optimal health and energy levels.

Many factors affect thyroid health and these all need to be checked in the fatigued person.  Thyroid hormones require iodine, selenium and zinc for their activation.  However, with the right balance of nourishing herbs and supplements they will be able to support the health and function of the thyroid.

Acetyl L-carnitine and tyrosine will regulate the effects of stress and fatigue on the thyroid’s function.

Detoxification – when anyone mentions “detox”, it is common to immediately think coffee, alcohol and drugs.  But there are many other external lifestyle and environmental factors that can influence the health of the cells, gut and liver and contribute to symptoms of fatigue.  For example, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) causes the flora in the small intestine to be inundated with ba” bacteria and contribute to leaky gut and associated symptoms of fatigue.

Increased oxidative stress is caused by toxicity in household products, foods consumed and products used on the skin and hair, plus many other external environmental factors that will all affect and reduce cellular energy production.

Immune Support – for people experiencing prolonged fatigue, it is important to address the immune function. Chronic or recurring infections can cause fatigue and again, this is possibly due to the inflammatory effects on the mitochondria (cell energy production). Allergies, food intolerances, irritable bowel and other gut problems are all drivers of impaired immune support. With the right balance of nourishing the nervous system, ensuring adequate nutritional support, and supporting a healthy stress response, fatigue can be effectively treated and eliminated from your life.

 Trudy Kither is a qualified naturopath. Call 0408 900 596 or visit naturestemple.net