How to Beat Fatigue Naturally

Fatigue (lack of energy; overall tiredness or weariness) is the number one complaint that GPs hear from their patients.

Contributing causes

• Poor nutrition
• Sleep problems
• Pain
• Depression/ melancholy moods
• Low thyroid function
• Adrenal gland dysfunction
• Chronic low-grade infection (teeth, hepatitis, glandular fever) o
• Allergy
• Low iron (anaemia) and iron stores (ferritin)
• Anaemia due to B12/ folic acid deficiency
• Systemic candida
• Blood sugar imbalances (diabetes, hypoglycaemia)
• Heart or lung problems
• Stress and/ or anxiety
• Drugs (caffeine, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives)

Testing

• Questionnaires (adrenal, thyroid symptom list, candida)
•  Basal body temperature charting- persistent low body temperatures first thing upon waking often indicates low thyroid function.
•  Saliva testing for cortisol and DHEA levels (adrenal function)
• Blood tests to rule in/ out…
  • anaemia
  • thyroid problems
  • diabetes
  • infection
  • nutrient deficiencies

Treatment considerations

• Adrenal fatigue: adrenal glandulars, licorice, rhodiola, Siberian ginseng, vitamin C, B vitamins, magnesium, Celtic sea salt, DHEA
• *Hypothyroidism: thyroid hormone, iodine, L-tyrosine, zinc, selenium, magnesium vitamin D, iron (if deficient) *Thyroid Patient Advocacy UK website is a GOLDMINE for information on hypothyroidism
• Candida: low sugar diet, herbal antifungals (Oregon grape root, oregano oil, grapefruit seed extract, garlic, caprylic acid), probiotic
• Anaemia: ferrous sulphate or gluconate iron taken with vitamin C (iron deficiency anaemia); B12 in form of methylcobalmin and folic acid (pernicious anaemia)
• Blood sugar imbalances: Low GL diet; protein with every meal; chromium; cinnamon
• Poor nutrition: whole foods diet (whole grains, organic dairy/ live yogurt, meats/ fish or beans, eggs, fruits, vegetables, non-processed, non-packaged foods, nuts and seeds, fresh juicing); bitter foods/herbs to stimulate digestive juices
• Sleep disturbance: passionflower, valerian, wild lettuce, GABA, melatonin, 5- HTP, magnesium, avoid caffeine, balance female, adrenal and/or thyroid hormones,
• Infection: use antiviral/ antibacterial herbs or prescription antimicrobials when necessary, antioxidants (vitamins A, C, E, zinc, selenium), avoid sugar
• Pain: natural anti-inflammatories like ginger, bromelain, and turmeric; bromelain, MSM; long-term, need to deal with source of pain, rather than just covering up the symptom
• Stress: herbal nervines (wild lettuce, passionflower, motherwort), magnesium, B complex, exercise, good sleep routine

Resources

1. Adrenal Fatigue by James L. Wilson, ND; copyright 2001
2. From Fatigued to Fantastic by Jacob Teitelbaum, MD; copyright 2001
3. Overcoming Thyroid Disorders by David Brownstein, MD; 2nd ed. Copyright 2008
4. Your Thyroid and How to keep it Healthy by Dr. Barry Durrant-Peatfield; copyright 2006