Lively Up Yourself: Part 1
Description
This article is from the Health Articles series.
Lively Up Yourself: Part 1
Is it impossible to drag yourself out of bed in the morning? Or,
do you wake up refreshed but need a cup o' Joe--intravenous--in the
afternoon? While an occasional bout of fatigue is normal, dragging
every day is not. There are ways to stabilize and boost your energy,
but first, let's look at what "energy" is and why we need it.
Every human bodily function requires energy, from sitting at your computer (instant messaging can be especially taxing :-) to walking your dog, even digesting your food. The body converts three types of nutrients into energy: proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
Sounds simple enough. Eat three squares a day and have the energy of a turbo-toddler. Unfortunately, the following substances and circumstances conspire to deplete our energy. Here's what you can do about it:
Poor Nutrition
You're on the run, probably skip
breakfast--maybe only have time for a quick bite at lunch. Poor
nutrition is one of the most common causes of fatigue. There are
differing dietary plans (low carbohydrate/low fat, high protein, etc.)
but most everyone agrees: In order to have enough energy for the day,
you must fuel up properly.
First, never skip breakfast--ever! Start the day off with a fresh fruit smoothie or stock up on whole grain, high-fiber, lower fat breads and cereals you can eat on the run (you might even keep packets of instant oatmeal at your desk). Add some fresh fruit and yogurt (milk or soy) and you're set. Pick protein for lunch (chicken, fish, or tofu), munch on nuts and dried fruits for an afternoon snack, make dinner a light meal with lots of fresh veggies. Keep refined sugar to a minimum or eliminate it entirely.
Malabsorption
Let's say you eat three perfectly balanced
meals and two super-healthy snacks each day, but still feel like
you're on the last leg of a marathon. The problem could be
malabsorption, which means that nutrients from the food you are
ingesting are not absorbing into your body.
In Prescription for Nutritional Healing: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements, a truly comprehensive guide to alternative health and healing, James F. Balch, M.D., and Phyllis A. Balch, CNC explain that "impaired digestion leads to malabsorption because, if food is not broken down properly, the nutrients it contains cannot be absorbed through the lining of the intestines."
In addition to impaired digestion, other factors that can lead to malabsorption include stress, smoking, alcohol consumption or drug use.
If you think you might be suffering from malabsorption, your physician or alternative health practitioner (chiropractor, homeopathic doctor, etc.) can screen for nutritional deficiencies through a blood test and can recommend vitamin supplements to increase your intake. For instance, if you're low on potassium, a supplement can help prevent muscle weakness and cardiovascular problems; or, if you're lacking calcium, a supplement can help prevent bone loss.
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