Banishing Fatigue Through Nutrition

Banishing Fatigue Through Nutrition

Diet plays a major role in creating or relieving
the symptoms of chronic fatigue. I’ve found during my years of practice
that if women ignore the importance of nutrition in their antifatigue
program, they have a great deal of difficulty getting entirely well.

Foods that make fatigue worse:

	Foods high in refined sugar, caffeine, saturated fats, and salt;
	Highly processed foods full of additives;
	Dairy products;
	Alcohol;
	Fried and fatty foods;
	Wheat and other gluten-containing grains.

Find out more about these “bad-for-you”
foods.

Energy-Enhancing Foods

Sodium bicarbonate
This powerful alkalizing agent gets rid of acid build-up in your
body caused by aging, poor diet, stress, and exposure to pollutants—restoring
your energy and stamina.

Recommended dosage: 1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon
of sodium bicarbonate, plus 100-200 mg of potassium in tablet form,
or

1/2 teaspoon of potassium bicarbonate, plus
1/8 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate, taken 45 minutes to 1 hour after
a large or heavy meal will help in digestion

You may need to add additional foods to the
list below if you suffer from severe anemia.
Read more about what you should eat if you have anemia.

	Starches. Potatoes, sweet potatoes, and yams are soft, well-tolerated carbohydrates that provide an additional source of easy-to-digest protein. They also contain vitamin A, boosting your resistance if you’re prone to infections and allergies.
	Legumes. Beans and peas are excellent sources of energy-building calcium, magnesium, and potassium. They’re also high in iron, zinc, and B vitamins. The high complex carbohydrate and protein content helps regulate blood sugar levels, thus stabilizing mood swings, anxiety, and energy levels.
	Whole grains. Instead of wheat and gluten-containing grains, try buckwheat, quinoa, and amaranth.
	Seeds and Nuts. Seeds and nuts are an excellent source of the two essential fatty acids, linoleic acid and linolenic acid, as well as essential minerals and vitamins to alleviate fatigue.
	Vegetables. Many vegetables are high in calcium, magnesium, and potassium—important minerals that improve stamina, endurance, and vitality.
	Fruits. Like many vegetables, fruits are an excellent source of vitamin C, which is important for healthy blood vessels and blood circulation throughout the body, as well as for antistress and immune stimulant properties. Try raisins, blackberries, and bananas—excellent sources of calcium, magnesium, and/or potassium.
	Meat, poultry and fish. If you do want to eat meat, your best choice is fish. The linolenic acid in fish, one of the essential fatty acids (EFAs), helps relax tense muscles, a major cause of fatigue in women. Fish is also an excellent source of minerals, especially iodine and potassium. If you do include meat in your diet, eat only small amounts, 3 ounces or less per day.

Fighting Fatigue with Food

To increase productivity and energy throughout
the day, eat a high-protein breakfast and lunch. Then, to slow down
in the evening and insure a better night’s sleep, eat a lighter
meal with more carbohydrates. The carbohydrates help produce the
feel-good hormone serotonin, which has certain relaxing effects.

Read more about these “good-for-you”
foods.

Causes of Fatigue

Vitamins
for Fighting Fatigue
Digestive
Enzymes for fighting fatigue
Amino
Acids for fighting fatigue
Essential
Fatty Acids for fighting fatigue