This article isn’t about the price of gasoline but the fact that millions of Americans are running out of physical and emotional energy. I am not referring directly to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in this article, but the growing number of people who suffer from being tired all of the time. Our active lives-family, career, friends etc., poor diets, lack of rest and lack of proper supplementation have created and energy shortage among most Americans. We tend to burn the candle at both ends (some of us even burn it in the middle) and zap the strength and energy we need to maintain great health. As always, the 4-Pillars of Great health play an important roll in the “Energy Crisis”.
So what is happening in the body to cause us to feel tired all of the time? The constant stress and our poor diets weaken our adrenal glands (responsible for the body’s ability to adapt to stress and fatigue-as well as many other functions in the body). When these lifestyle choices continue over time, the body is unable to keep up with the demands and eventually begins to suffer in many ways. Fatigue is probably the most notable effect of these effects.
What’s a person to do then? Taking a look at my 4-Pillars; Supplementation, Diet, Spirituality and Exercise can significantly and immediately impact your energy crisis. Dietary recommendations like eliminating Caffeine, Tobacco, refined foods (sugar, white foods etc.) and getting yourself checked for gluten allergies is a great start.(Yes, Gluten sensitivities can cause you to feel tired all of the time) These recommendations will even save you a few dollars that you can use on the supplements that will improve your health. It would also be beneficial to add more Greens to your diet. In this case, a supplement like Greens Plus or New Chapter’s Berry Green would be great additions to your every day diet. Greens act to purify the body and promote increases in energy and well-being. It is a win-win!
Exercise may seem like a silly thing to recommend to someone who is tired, but believe it or not, increased activity will decrease fatigue and increase your energy. Exercise (increased activity) will help reduce stress which in turn will allow your body to recover from the every day rigors of life. Just try it; what do you have to lose? A few pounds? Fatigue? Stress? Lower Blood Pressure? Boost Immune function? I recommend 25 to 30 minutes of brisk walking per day. Don’t make excuses that you don’t have any time-make time!
Spirituality plays a huge roll in fatigue. It can help with stress reduction and assist your body in resting better at night. If you have problems sleeping, try my A-Z method of sleeping. For each letter of the alphabet, think of something you are thankful for. (ex. A- Adam and Amanda-my children, B-Birds of prey (my favorite type of bird)) You get the idea; prayer and rest go hand in hand. Just ask someone who is spiritually connected and follows my other 3 Pillars if they are tired.
Finally, the area that will make the quickest impact on your Energy Crisis is Supplementation. Special needs supplements (as a part of the Dietary Supplement Pyramid) can not only help build up your energy stores, but support your fatigue in the meantime. We need to look at the long-term when dealing with fatigue. In order to help re-build your energy stores we need to look at a few key nutrients; B-5 (also known as Pantothenic Acid), Phosphatidylserine, Licorice, Melatonin, L-theanine and B-complex. This may sound like a ton of supplements, but if you really wish to get your energy back to full strength, using this arsenal of supplements may be necessary.
Taking a closer look at each of these nutrients will better explain why they are all needed to get you back on the road to more energy. Vitamin B-5 (pantothenic acid) helps to activate the adrenal glands. A prolonged depletion of B-5 can lead to headaches, fatigue and sleep disturbances. It is also plays an important roll in the production of energy within your cells. Phosphatidylserine (PS) provides serine a precursor to the formation of many neurotransmitters. By providing the tools the nervous system needs, you are more likely to stay emotionally in balance and be suffer from less fatigue. Newer forms of PS such as Alpha-GPC (Alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine) can also provide a similar benefit.
Licorice root has been used in Chinese medicine in most of their herbal prescriptions. Licorice root is known to stimulate and nourish the adrenal glands. It has also been used for more serious conditions such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. A word of caution, prolonged use of Licorice root can lead to increases in blood pressure and contribute to fluid retention. Melatonin, known as the sleep hormone is naturally occurring in the body and can improve circadian rhythm and help you fall asleep faster. This improved rest will help the body to recharge your batteries so you can feel more energetic each morning.
L-theanine is an amino acid found primarily in green and white tea. It helps produce a calming effect in the brain. I often say that this is why green and white tea can cause a restful alertness (due to low levels of caffeine and L-theanine). L-theanine helps control mood which in turn will aid the body in dealing with stress. B-complex is the last part of this program. Since I preach never take one B-vitamin by itself, you need to make sure you are getting the synergy provided by taking all of the B-vitamins. Also, other B-vitamins like Folic Acid, B-6 and B-12 will have a positive effect on your fight against fatigue.
There are many other supplements which will help with your energy crisis. Here are a few of the more popular choices;
- Bee Pollen
- Royal Jelly
- Korean Ginseng
- Cordyceps
- Green or White Tea
- L-Carnitine
- Ginger
- Cayenne
For those who are looking for a quick fix that is natural, try Green and White Tea extract by New Chapter. I find that the low natural occurring levels of caffeine and L-theanine provide you with the quick boost of energy without the harmful effects of other non-natural products you might attempt to use. I often call the feeling you get with this product “restful alertness”.
Now that I may have totally scrambled your thoughts, let me try to make this simple. If I were suffering from an “energy crisis” I would look to Enzymatic Therapy and their Fatigued to Fantastic products. Not only will you get the nutritional support for immediate impact, but you will also get the proper nutrients to help rebuild the stores you have depleted. Within this line is one of the best sleep formulas available on the market. If you really want to get out of the hole, then this is a must take product line.
A final thought, most of us suffering from the “energy crisis” seem to look for that short term solution. Perhaps a stop at your favorite coffee shop or at the local vending machine has been your answer. Remember that your energy depletion didn’t happen over night and fixing it won’t happen immediately either. This is a lifestyle choice. By taking the proper supplements along with the other 3-pillars of health, you will be well on your way to being the energetic you from the past.