Ask anyone you know, at some point in time they’ve probably felt sick and tired. If you’ve had too many late nights, experience high levels of stress, consume a poor diet, overdo alcohol or any number of other lifestyle choices – it’s normal to feel sick and tired. But what happens when you feel sick and tired all the time, no matter how ‘good’ you’ve been?

• Your health begins a downward spiral
• You become plagued by chronic fatigue and exhaustion
• You experience low mood and depression
• You experience poor concentration and focus
• You experience sleep disturbances and pain

It may take some time, but you can get back on track by having a closer look at what’s happening in your body.

Chronic fatigue is persistent and can make your life hell

Chronic fatigue is becoming increasingly common. Women account for around 70% of chronic fatigue cases, defined as persistent and intense fatigue that reduces your ability to participate in normal daily activities by around 50% for months on end. There is no one single cause of chronic fatigue, although there are plenty of theories that identify recent bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic infections as a trigger as well as inflammation, stress, genetic susceptibility and lifestyle factors including diet.

Where does all your energy go?

Your body needs a constant supply of energy, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The food you eat on a daily basis, whether it’s protein, carbohydrates or fats, are all converted into energy and stored around your body in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), your body’s high energy currency. So, if your diet and digestion are working well, you’d think everything would fall into place. Not so in some cases. ATP production takes place within the mitochondria or ‘powerhouse’ of every cell via the electron transport chain. The electron transport chain is where the majority of energy is made, very much like a production line in a factory. In fact, each molecule of glucose is converted into 34 units of ATP! Inflammation and oxidative stress can create problems within the production line, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and reduced energy production, leaving you feeling constantly tired.

Tapping into more energy naturally

Whilst there’s no doubt a healthy, varied diet and good digestive function play an important role in providing the basic building blocks for energy production, resolving mitochondrial dysfunction will help to ensure good levels of energy are produced and maintained. There are some stand-out herbs that can help to increase your vitality and reduce fatigue and important nutrients that are essential in the process of energy creation and helping to maintain healthy mitochondrial function.

• Astragalus combats fatigue to strengthen and restore your body’s vital energy, increasing stamina and endurance and as a tonic for recuperation and convalescence after chronic illness.

• Siberian Ginseng helps relieve fatigue, increases both mental and physical stamina and endurance and is beneficial during times of convalescence, recuperation and debility.

• Goji berries are highly nutritious and a rich source of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that have traditionally been used to relieve ‘fatigue syndromes.’

• B Vitamins play a number of important roles in different steps of ATP production, helping to relieve fatigue.

• Coenzyme Q10 is essential for all energy-dependent processes. Coenzyme Q10 is a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger that helps protect the mitochondria from oxidative damage.

• Magnesium citrate is an organic and highly bioavailable form of magnesium. Magnesium is important for cellular energy production and citrate from magnesium citrate is involved in energy production.

Vitamins recommends

Herbs of Gold nutritional supplements for overcoming Chronic Fatigue:

1. Astra Restore
2. Energy Multi
3. Magnesium Citrate 900

Find out more about these powerful supplements here...  If you’re sick and tired of feeling sick and tired, 'ask a Naturopath'  to help you get your energy and life back.

References

Braun, L., Cohen, M, 2007. Herbs and Natural Supplements- an evidenced based guide, Elsevier, Australia. http://mindd.org/s/archives.php/107-Disorders.html#add-adhd http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3403556/ http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD006348.pub2/pdf/standard