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Here’s 10 simple reasons for chronic fatigue. Get your energy back!
Low energy and fatigue are common complaints in my clinic. The causes can be complex or simple. People often focus on one extreme or the other – either one supplement “should” fix it all, or it must be a serious illness. It will be a combination of things and it’s your job to fix them. Your doctor cannot do these for you!
Self-experimentation and self-observation are key, along with good advice on where to start. Do one thing at a time and watch for changes. If you’re feeling well one day and poorly the next, what did you do differently? Keep track to find your own top causes of fatigue.
The 3 Simplest Reasons for Chronic Fatigue
1). You need more sleep and better sleep.
I have several blog posts and podcasts on sleep. Study up here, here and here for my sleep tips and advice. Take your time and work on this issue first.
If your sleep is disturbed by snoring, a partner, pets, light, or by a mattress and bedding that are synthetic (and hot), you’ll have poor sleep. Take action now, even if it means banning your pet from the bedroom or sleeping in separate beds from your partner. Consider taping your mouth at night – one of the best things I’ve ever done for my health. 12 years. Every night. No kidding.
Consider investing in a latex mattress and natural fiber bedding.
2). You worry too much.
Take Passion Flower or Chamomile Extract during day and night to let your brain (and muscles) relax. This article is helpful.
If anxiety and mental chatter disturb your sleep and make you hyper during the day, study my blog posts and podcasts on anxiety and stress. Our top-selling Passion Flower (here in alcohol or glycerite tincture form) and/or N3-Relaxa help calm both mind and body. I suffered from chronic anxiety (and chronic fatigue) for decades before figuring out how exhausting that worry was.
3). You work too hard.
Excess exercise, overwhelm at work, chaotic travel, minding the kids… a heavy work load fatigues us. Pick one exhausting pattern and change it. If you are chronically tired, stop running or other heavy exercise. Nap, rest and get more quiet time. You can and you MUST do this. You cannot regenerate your body while overworking it. Been there – three times!
Low Adrenal and Thyroid Can Cause Fatigue
4). Check your Adrenals.
I ran my first Salivary Cortisol test when I was very ill with Epstein Barr virus. I had 1/10th the normal amount of cortisol. The test confirmed I really was “dead” tired and not just “imagining things”. I seldom see high Cortisol in client tests.
Blood testing for Cortisol is of no value. Saliva testing is better. You can order one online or from a functional wellness person (I do Consults if you need someone).
I have many blog posts and podcasts on repairing the Adrenals, but you cannot fix Adrenals without first addressing the three reasons for Chronic Fatigue above. This article and podcast is useful when you’re ready for supplements. This page has multiple adrenal (and thyroid) articles.
5). Your thyroid may not be working right. Low thyroid function can be due to poor conversion of T4 into the active T3, low Progesterone, or low Iodine. Here’s the correct/useful Thyroid tests to ask your doctor for. They seldom run these without asking… Test for Hashimoto’s antibodies too.
If your doctor won’t run these tests, run them yourself at pay-for-draw labs such as HealthcheckUSA or AnyLabTestNow. See my multiple blog posts and podcasts on the thyroid using the blue Search Box. Check out TMI – Thyroid Metabolism Plus Iodine from Systemic Formulas if you need minerals for your thyroid.
Poor Nutrition and Absorption Cause Fatigue
6). Nutrient deficiencies
The diet I recommend (my DVD “The Diet For Human Beings”) is rich in free-range meats, seafoods, vegetables, and 40 to 50% of your calories in fats (saturated and unsaturated). Raw foods can be hard to digest and absorb. I steam, bake, grill and Slow Cook all my food except a bit of fruit.
Liver is an important food – the #1 source of real Vitamin A. Try the Liverwurst or Braunschweiger from US Wellness Meats. Yum! Not “livery” at all! D and K2 are easy with a daily dose of this complete A/D/K2 nutrient. Rosita raw, wild Cod Liver Oil is a superior source of DHA and EPA. Food variety is key and fixing Leaky Gut and the Microbiome improve absorption.
7). Blood sugar fluctuations cause chronic fatigue.
Stop skipping meals and increase healthy calories with fat and 3 or 4 square meals a day. No sugars, fruit juices or treats! Fat is sustaining (ghee, coconut oil, duck fat, avocado and fatty cuts of pastured meat) but eating Keto does NOT offer adequate proteins, antioxidants, carbs, vitamins or minerals.
3 Causes of Fatigue You Don’t Want to Hear
8). You’re sick. Yep, you have to look into this too. If you’re not getting better from all the above, get a really good checkup with lots of bloodwork. Expensive? Yes, but so is chronic illness. Epstein Barr virus, chronic Candida and gut infections are inflammatory and take a huge toll on the body’s energy.
I have multiple supplements for immune support as well as articles on IBS, Herpes viruses, Yeast and more. You can balance all of these but NOT until the others above are managed.
This is the #1 mistake I see in my practice. You cannot heal a body still under stress from overwork, poor sleep and low hormones.
9). You’re overloaded with toxins. Yes this is near the bottom of my list. I am not a believer in miracle detoxes and cleanses as a first step to anything. Handling the reasons for chronic fatigue will enable you to now get rid of the pesticides and herbicides you’re no longer eating, the food additives you’ve given up, the cheap alcohol and lack of exercise that has toxed out your wonderful liver, kidneys and lymph. This Antioxidant and this Detox Pair can now be useful.
10). Your WIFI, screens and other EMF’s are making you sick…. Cordless phones, mobile phones, WIFI and electronic equipment at close range make me tired. I don’t have a cell phone or WIFI and I run 3 businesses just fine…. At the very least, turn off your computer’s wifi broadcast search every night and get rid of cordless phones and baby monitors.
You can do this. If it takes a year, it will gain you decades of better, happier life. Have Consults to help you along and stay committed to your own lovely self…..
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: I am not a licensed medical doctor and cannot advise you on medical matters. However, by studying my website you may be better able to communicate with your wellness provider. If you need medical assistance, please seek support from a qualified physician. Click here to read my full disclaimer.
AFFILIATE LINKS: There are affiliate links in some of my articles, which means I may get a small commission if you decide to purchase something after clicking on the links. I only recommend products I trust or have used so I know you'll be in good hands.
About Beverly
In practice since 1985.
Beverly Meyer is a Board-Certified Clinical Nutritionist who has been in practice since 1985. Her Primal Diet – Modern Health podcast has published over 200 episodes since 2010. In 2012 she founded The Center For Life, which is the largest natural health center in San Antonio, with 11 doctors and practitioners. Her Diet and Health Center San Antonio is also the longest serving health and wellness center in the area. Beverly has an MBA in Finance and BA in Economics, has owned and managed several businesses, including a franchising company and a large kitchen goods store.
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