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June 13, 2004 |
| Fatigue &
Low Energy Conquering Fatigue: A True Tale You know a woman is scared when she flies cross-country to consult with a doctor she’s never met. And Katherine was just short of panic stricken when she arrived at my office. The 45-year-old former dynamo was terrified that exhaustion was going to cost her the life she had worked so hard to create. Until recently, she had been like a house on fire. Her talent, dedication, and willingness to work long hours (many on the road) had allowed her to prosper and buy the home of her dreamswhile supporting her mother and two highly dependent cats. In the last year, however, something had gone dreadfully wrong. She awoke each day exhausted and foggy-headed. She rallied by 10 a.m., but started declining at 3 p.m., and kept fading until bedtime. She barely had the energy to socialize with friends. She even gave up hunting for treasure at local flea markets. To try to boost her energy and maintain her productivity at work, she consumed cup after cup of strong coffee with energy bars, plus what she called a substantial lunch (a fast food cheeseburger or fried chicken)but it wasn’t working. Concerned that she might be terribly ill, she consulted her physician, who gave her a clean bill of health when test after test revealed nothing unusual. But Katherine knew she was far from fine and was determined to learn why. Fortunately, after a physical exam and a chat, I was able to offer an explanation that was later confirmed by the right lab tests: her poor dietary habits. In particular, her diet was virtually devoid of potassium and magnesium. Katherine was all ears as I explained that she was depriving herself of two nutrients required for energy production, a problem that couldn’t be solved by jolts of caffeine or nutritionally imbalanced, sugary snack bars masquerading as health food. Next, we came up with a game plan for improving her diet. The coffee, the fast food, and the energy bars would have to go. They would be replaced by more sensible choices, including a wide variety of the magnesium- and potassium-rich foods. Katherine had no objections; she loved eating these foods, but had somehow stopped preparing them for herself. To be certain that she ate sensibly while on the road and at work, she agreed to keep a stash of almonds handy and to purchase a small cooler and Thermos; she vowed to keep the latter filled with such homemade delights as lima bean salad and lentil soup with carrots. On long trips, she promised to drive past the fast food haunts and stop at restaurants that offered fish, vegetarian entrées, and green vegetables. Katherine also agreed to daily supplementation with nutrients that aid energy production, including magnesium and potassium aspartate, CoQ10, L-carnitine, and B-complex vitamins. Her first follow-up call came a week later. She felt far less groggy in the morning, and her energy levels later in the day were noticeably higher and steadier. A month after our meeting, a jubilant and vivacious Katherine called me to say she was almost her old self and getting closer every day.
Read More on Fatigue & Low Energy: Getting Started Conquering Fatigue: A True Tale Keep it SIMPLE Energy tip Chamomile Tea Nutritional Therapies Mighty Minerals that Fight Fatigue Foods Rich in Potassium and Magnesium Complementary Therapies Acupressure for Fatigue Relief
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