WELLBEING

Many people operate in a constant state of fatigue. Life goes on and eventually weariness becomes the norm. TRUDY KITHER revisits the factors behind fatigue, which too many have learnt to simply put up with.

Did you know that 1 in 5 patients complain of fatigue on a daily basis? Of those, only 3 per cent have a diagnosed cause. There are four identifiable factors as to why most people are fatigued most of the time:

Adequate Nutrition – the key nutrients which are required to produce energy to maintain mitochondrial function (the powerhouse of every cell in your body) are iron, acetyl L-carnitine, lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10, magnesium and all of the B vitamins.

These contribute to keeping the mitochondrial function going. A reduction in these nutrients will inevitably result in a lack of energy production.

Thyroid Function – the thyroid runs the body’s metabolic rate and is closely related to energy production. Supporting normal healthy thyroid function is important to maintain optimal health and energy levels.

Many factors affect thyroid health and these all need to be checked in the fatigued person. Thyroid hormones require iodine, selenium and zinc for their activation. However, with the right balance of nourishing herbs and supplements they will be able to support the health and function of the thyroid.

Acetyl L-carnitine and tyrosine will regulate the effects of stress and fatigue on the thyroid’s function.

Detoxification – when anyone mentions “detox”, it is common to immediately think coffee, alcohol and drugs. But there are many other external lifestyle and environmental factors that can influence the health of the cells, gut and liver and contribute to symptoms of fatigue. For example, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) causes the flora in the small intestine to be inundated with ba” bacteria and contribute to leaky gut and associated symptoms of fatigue.

Increased oxidative stress is caused by toxicity in household products, foods consumed and products used on the skin and hair, plus many other external environmental factors that will all affect and reduce cellular energy production.

Immune Support – for people experiencing prolonged fatigue, it is important to address the immune function. Chronic or recurring infections can cause fatigue and again, this is possibly due to the inflammatory effects on the mitochondria (cell energy production). Allergies, food intolerances, irritable bowel and other gut problems are all drivers of impaired immune support. With the right balance of nourishing the nervous system, ensuring adequate nutritional support, and supporting a healthy stress response, fatigue can be effectively treated and eliminated from your life. Trudy Kither is a qualified naturopath. Call 0408 900 596 or visit naturestemple.net Take a high quality vitamin B complex along with vitamin B6 (found in wild tuna and salmon, bananas, grass-fed beef, sweet potatoes, turkey, hazelnuts, garlic and cooked spinach). B6 helps to prevent and relieve fatigue and supports a healthy immune system.

Vitamin B12 (found in sardines, tuna, raw cheese, cottage cheese, lamb, raw milk, eggs and wild salmon) is required for methylation, which is needed for critical functions – energy production, mood, detoxification, inflammation and nerve function.

Magnesium helps fight fatigue and also supports healthy blood sugar levels, nerve functions and blood pressure regulation.

Potassium is responsible for electrolyte balance. Foods rich in potassium include avocados, spinach, sweet potatoes, bananas, coconut water, dried apricots and mushrooms. Potassium-deficiency symptoms also include cramps and irritability.

A regular bed time, exercise, rest and avoiding stimulants, such as caffeine and alcohol, also go a long way to keeping on top of fatigue.

Looking for the right surgeon isn’t rocket science - it’s brain surgery.

Sunshine Coast Neurosurgery is the specialist practice of Dr Stephen Byrne, where we apply cutting-edge technology and the latest techniques to deliver world-class healthcare and personalised medicine.

Our List of Services Sunshine Coast Neurosurgery have a specialist interest in minimally invasive brain & spine surgery and use their extensive experience to treat many common conditions such as: • Cervical and lumbar degenerative conditions • Brain tumours • Spine tumours • Pituitary tumours • Chiari malformations. All patients receive one-to-one pre-operative counselling and tailored personalised care using the latest techniques. Please contact us - or speak with your GP for a referral - and we look forward to helping you along the road to recovery.

Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital Suite 17, 3 Doherty Street, Birtinya Q 4575 T 07 5437 7256 E info@scneuro.com.au