Feeling Energized Again with the Anti-Fatigue Program

fatigue

Written by Melissa Bistricer, RDN 

For further questions or concerns email me at [email protected] 

Why feel fatigued and sluggish every day when you can feel alive and energized? Enhance your body’s energy levels with a balanced diet and clinically-studied nutrients.† 

What Is Fatigue? 

Fatigue occurs when an individual feels almost constantly tired, either physically or emotionally. Individuals who experience fatigue daily can see negative impacts in their lifestyles. This can impact their quality of life, work efficiency, social life, and overall health. “Fatigue affects more than 20% of people worldwide, which is usually associated with physical and/or psychological (mental) weakness.”† 1  

Factors that are common that can contribute to fatigue are medical conditions, unhealthy lifestyle choices, workplace problems, or stress.2 Medical conditions related to fatigue can be an underlying illness resulting in extreme tiredness such as thyroid disease, heart disease, or diabetes.2 Lifestyle choices can be related to alcohol or drug abuse, or lack of consistent exercise. Lastly, fatigue is a common factor in mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, or grief. This can also result in symptoms of lack of motivation or irritability.†  

SUPPORTING THE THYROID TO PROMOTE HEALTHY ENERGY AND WEIGHT – INVITE HEALTH PODCAST, EPISODE 413. Listen Now>>

Some symptoms to be aware of if you feel you are experiencing fatigue can be blurry vision, headache, dizziness, poor concentration, low motivation, or chronic sleepiness.†2 

Fatigue can oftentimes be correlated with pro-inflammatory status. Pro-inflammatory status is the ability to promote inflammation in the body. This is when the cytokines act to make a specific disease worse rather than reducing inflammation. Fatigue is not directly driven by inflammation but can be a multifactorial syndrome.3 Multifactorial syndrome is when more than one factor is contributing to the condition, in this case, inflammation can be one component of why an individual may feel fatigued. Other factors previously discussed can be medical conditions, unhealthy lifestyles, workplace problems, or stress.† 

Medical Nutrition Therapy 

The Mediterranean Diet may be beneficial for patients experiencing fatigue related to inflammation. This diet consists of high consumption of whole grains, legumes, nuts, fish, lean meat, olive oil, fruits, and vegetables. The Mediterranean Diet is a high-quality fatty acid diet, providing omega-3 and omega-9 fatty acids, fibers, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Although studies vary on the full potential benefit of the Mediterranean Diet there is a relationship between following a Mediterranean Diet and taking two beneficial supplements called Alcar + ALA and CoQ10 + Coenzyme 1 (NADH).†  

KETO DIET VS MEDITERRANEAN DIET – INVITE HEALTH PODCAST, EPISODE 525. Listen Now>>

Acetyl-L-Carnitine (Alcar) is the short-chain ester of carnitine which is synthesized in the mitochondria known as the “powerhouse” of the cells.4 Alcar participates in energy metabolism which can be supportive in energy, focus, healthy brain development, and memory.† 

Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) is an organosulfur component in plants, animals, and humans. In the Krebs cycle, ALA plays a role in chemical reactions, with some enzymatic complexes involved in acting as energy for the cells. 5 ALA is known as a fat and water-soluble antioxidant, providing benefits to tissues.† 

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) also referred to as ubiquinol is important in the body for energy-releasing nutrients produced naturally by the body. This supplement allows calories from food to be absorbed and utilized as energy which can be beneficial for individuals who often feel fatigued. NO energy will be made without ubiquinol!† 

Coenzyme 1 (NADH) is a stabilizer form of nicotinamide, which is known to be a powerful B-vitamin. NADH is needed to create energy and helps to recycle ubiquinol to support energy.†   

The Anti-Fatigue Program 

Alcar + ALA – energy-producing nutrients involved with energy metabolism, support energy function and superior benefit for a variety of tissues† 

CoQ10 (Ubiquinol) + Coenzyme 1 (NADH) – supports muscle function and most of the body’s energy needs†  

For further questions or concerns related to dietary and nutritional supplement recommendations email me at [email protected] 

Sources 

1. Geng P, Siu KC, Wang Z, Wu JY. Antifatigue Functions and Mechanisms of Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms. Biomed Res Int. 2017;2017:9648496. doi:10.1155/2017/9648496
   1. Link to attach: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5584359/pdf/BMRI2017-9648496.pdf 
2. 1. Better Health Channel. Fatigue. Vic.gov.au. Published 2012. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/fatigue
   1. Link to attach: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/fatigue
3. Haß U, Herpich C, Norman K. Anti-Inflammatory Diets and Fatigue. Nutrients. 2019;11(10):2315. Published 2019 Sep 30. doi:10.3390/nu11102315
   1. Link to attach: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6835556/pdf/nutrients-11-02315.pdf
4. Smeland OB, Meisingset TW, Borges K, Sonnewald U. Chronic acetyl-L-carnitine alters brain energy metabolism and increases noradrenaline and serotonin content in healthy mice. Neurochem Int. 2012;61(1):100-107. doi:10.1016/j.neuint.2012.04.008
   1. Link to attach: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22549035/#:~:text=Acetyl%2DL%2Dcarnitine%20(ALCAR,energy%20levels%20and%20muscle%20strength.
5. Salehi B, Berkay Yılmaz Y, Antika G, et al. Insights on the Use of α-Lipoic Acid for Therapeutic Purposes. Biomolecules. 2019;9(8):356. Published 2019 Aug 9. doi:10.3390/biom9080356
   1. Link to attach: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6723188/pdf/biomolecules-09-00356.pdf

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