Will I Ever Have Enough Energy Again?

It seems that we never have enough hours in the day to get things done.  Well, this is especially true if you have to take a nap mid-day.  If you don’t have the privilege of taking a rest or nap during the day, you may be experiencing symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, lack of interest, moodiness, irritability, weight gain, or even depression. So, you hit the coffee bar and order an espresso drink thinking it will help “get you through the day”. This paints a picture for many.  But the days we have are precious and should never be taken for granted.  Whether it is affecting you at work or just getting things done around the house, it can get severe if underlying conditions are not managed.  Usually, this doesn’t happen overnight.  There may have been signs along the way that were missed.  Troubleshooting your lack of energy can help make the most out of your day.   

VITAMIN D

It is very easy to test Vitamin D levels in the blood.  Most Americans are deficient in vitamin D and daily multivitamins don’t provide enough. Compelling research has demonstrated that vitamin D blood levels in the range of 50 to 80 ng/mL are associated with reduced mortality and a lower risk of common diseases.¹    Also, if your vitamin D value is low, it is likely that your hormones are affected.  Adults can safely take 5,000 IU per day of a vitamin D supplement.

THYROID

For many people the thyroid may be to blame for lack of energy and many other symptoms such as, dry skin, hair loss, and feeling cold all the time. All these symptoms may be an indication of thyroid imbalances. 

Often, small variations in thyroid levels that are within the medically normal range can create severe symptoms.  Thyroid function should never be based on just testing the TSH and T4 in the blood. Levels vary day to day, even hour to hour and often stabilize on their own.² Other thyroid tests that should be included are T3 and Free T3.  Since 80% of the most active T3 is produced outside the thyroid, environmental factors should also be considered.  Altered thyroid function can be influenced by factors such as increased iodine intake, selenium deficiency,  vitamin D deficiency, exposure to radiation, exposure to pesticides, cigarette smoking, and even viral infections such as HPV or hepatitis C.³  It is necessary to comprehend the association between environmental agents and thyroid dysfunction to make sure you are correctly addressing the causes. 

One specific endocrine disruptor that you are probably being exposed to is Bromide.  .  If you are exposed to a lot of bromine, your body will not hold on to the iodine that it needs. Since iodine is important for the thyroid as well as other organs in your body, it is important for your body to be able to utilize the iodine it has and not lose it.

• Check your bakery and bread labels for potassium bromate. 
• Brominated vegetable oil (BVO) is still used in Mountain Dew, Sun Drop, and AMP energy drinks even though PepsiCo announced in 2014 that they would discontinue the use of BVO.⁴   BVO is banned in Europe, India, and Japan.⁴  
• Bromide can also be discovered in swimming pool treatments, plastics, and pesticides.

There are natural alternatives to manage and correct thyroid disease that may include vitamins, enzymes, homeopathic remedies and diet modification. Being tested first will take the guesswork out of which natural alternative to choose, therefore saving you time and money.  

B VITAMIN LEVELS

 “B vitamins help provide energy by helping convert carbohydrates to glucose, and also are important in fat and protein metabolism” says Elson Hass, MD, an integrative physician and author of Staying Healthy with Nutrition. 

He also adds that, “They’re important for the normal functioning of the nervous system and help bring relaxation to individuals who are stressed or fatigued.”

A balanced diet can be a helpful way to make sure you are getting all of your B vitamins.  There are currently 8 essential B vitamins.  Not all types of vitamin B do the same thing. Additionally, the different types of vitamin B all come from different types of foods. Vitamin B12, for example, is found primarily in meat and dairy products.  Many vegans become deficient in B12 because of their dietary restrictions.  B vitamins are also found in fruits and vegetables.

Low B vitamins can lead to anemia.  But there is not just one form of anemia.  Deficiencies of B12, Folate, B6, and/or Iron, menstruation, infections, digestive problems that impair nutrient absorption and ongoing bleeding can all cause anemia.   A person may not even know that they are anemic right away because the body may adjust and that person may not feel different unless the anemia becomes severe.

Many medications also cause depletion of B vitamins.  These include but are not limited to: 

Heartburn medications

Diabetic medications

Antibiotics

Diuretics for high blood pressure

Birth control

Hormone replacement therapy

 The best way to determine your levels of anemia is to test a complete blood count (CBC) in the blood.  Testing the serum Iron and Ferritin is also advised to determine the levels of available iron and your back-up supply.  Supplements can help to prevent or correct B vitamin depletions in just a short period of time when accurate serial testing is done to determine proper dosing recommendation. 

DIET

Eating frequent smaller meals throughout the day versus a few large meals can help maintain steady sugar levels and avoid the mid-afternoon slump. These meals and snacks should consist of protein, vegetables, healthy fats, and limited fruit. 

The best way to use food as energy is to pay attention to the glycemic index, which measures how quickly sugar from food is absorbed into your bloodstream. Foods with a high glycemic index, like simple carbohydrates such as bread, pasta, rice, and cereal, increase blood sugar levels right away which leads to an insulin spike that usually ends in a “sugar crash”.  However, eating foods with a low glycemic index enables slower absorption that will provide steady energy levels. 

Common foods with lower glycemic index

Also, be sure you are eating enough protein throughout the day.  Try to have a protein source with every meal and/or snack.  Protein takes longer than carbohydrates to break down, which means longer lasting energy.  Healthy snacking options include: celery with almond butter or cashew butter, a hard-boiled egg, raw vegetables with hummus dip, nuts and seeds.  Raw and unsalted nuts and seeds are preferred but soaked & roasted in a healthy way is the best. Check out Sally Fallon's Nourishing Traditions cookbook for recipes and instructions.  Note: If your Iron or Ferritin levels are high, you may have to limit or avoid beef.   This can be determined by testing these levels in the blood.

EXERCISE

Exercise can change the body at a cellular level.  The metabolic rate at which you burn food and obtain energy is much better with more exercise.

Studies on treating fibromyalgia say that exercise was the only treatment that has strong evidence of being effective. Another one calls exercise a first-line treatment.⁵ For most people who are chronically fatigued or diagnosed with fibromyalgia, exercising is easier said than done.  With that in mind, the most important thing to consider is how you approach exercise.  You don’t have to go to the gym and put in an hour of time.  You can reap the benefits of physical movement by just going on a walk or doing a stretching routine.  Everyone starts at different fitness levels.  Being realistic and staying within your limits can help build tolerance and keep a positive mindset to exercise more frequently. Even if all you can do is walk to the end of your driveway, do that.  You will eventually be able to do more.

PROPER TESTING

If you are confused about where to start, or if you feel like you have tried everything and nothing is working, a comprehensive blood analysis and hair tissue mineral analysis will test the foundation as a whole.  This will take away the guesswork and get you on the right track to better health.  What has worked for someone you know, may be completely different than what will work for you. Contact us today to get started and improve your body safely and naturally!

References

1. Available at: http://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2010/1/startling-findings-about-vitamin-d-levels-in-life-

extension-members/page-01. Accessed March 15, 2016

2. Span, Paula. “Could Be the Thyroid; Could Be Ennui. Either Way, the Drug Isn’t Helping.” The New York Times,

The New York Times, 21 Apr. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/04/21/health/could-be-the-thyroid-could-

be-ennui-either-way-the-drug-isnt-helping.html.

3. Ferrari, Silvia Martina, et al. “Environmental Issues in Thyroid Diseases.” Frontiers in Endocrinology, Frontiers

Media S.A., 20 Mar. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5357628/.

4.  Choi, Candice (May 5, 2014). "Coke, Pepsi dropping 'BVO' from all drinks". Associated Press. Retrieved May 6,

2014.

5. Dellwo, Adrienne. “Exercising Without the Crash for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue.”

Verywell Health, www.verywellhealth.com/exercise-for-fibromyalgia-chronic-fatigue-syndrome716045.

*The information provided here has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.