Fatigue
Background
Fatigue is very common, and most people would like more energy. Although it is important to have your doctor make sure you do not have anemia, low thyroid, diabetes or other common causes of fatigue, in most cases it improves by simply cleaning up your lifestyle a bit. In some cases, hormonal deficiencies (even with normal tests) and hidden infections are also playing a role.
If you have insomnia or widespread achiness/pain along with severe fatigue, you may have chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia. These, and even day to day fatigue, can now often be effectively treated using the S.H.I.N.E. Protocol.
Treatments
Energy will often markedly increase by adhering to the following.
Diet & Exercise
Limit sugar and caffeine
Cut out excess sugar (except for chocolate in moderation, which helps energy), sodas (diet are OK, avoiding aspartame if able), and excess caffeine (an 8-16 oz cup of coffee or a few cups of brewed tea a day are OK).
Exercise
Pick something fun so you stay with it. Shopping (park far from the entrance) is an example. Make a daily appointment to meet a friend to exercise with if you have trouble sticking with it.
Sleep
Get 8 hours a day (see Insomnia).
Recommended Supplements
Multivitamin powder
Improving your diet and taking a good multivitamin powder.
Ribose
A special sugar, called Ribose, can increase energy an average of 60%, with improvement beginning at an average of 12 days (according to one study). Take 1 scoop (5 gms) 3x day for 3 weeks, then 2x day. It can be used like sugar. I combine 5g in with the vitamin powder drink mix each morning for a powerful and healthy energy boost.
Power packed herbals for healthy energy
- Smart Energy System™. In our recent study, this special mix of Ashwagandha, rhodiola, licorice, green tea extract and schisandra plus ribose increased stamina an average of over 80%.
- HRG80™ Red Ginseng. Though most ginseng products no longer have the needed potency, a new unique hydroponically grown form does! Our recent study of 188 people showed that ½-2 chewable tablets daily increased energy an average of over 60% in most people.
Iron
Even though the ferritin blood test (which measures iron) is considered normal if it is over 12, research shows that taking iron helps energy until you get the ferritin level over 60. The dose is 25 to 50 mg of iron a day taken along with 50 to 100 mg of vitamin C (so that the iron is absorbed). It can be stopped when the ferritin blood test is over 60. Do not take within 6 hours of thyroid hormone. Iron may cause constipation (add fiber and lower the dose) or black stools (normal unless they are very foul smelling and you feel weak or dizzy, in which case black stools can reflect a dangerous stomach bleed).
Other Therapies & Advice
Thyroid hormone
If fatigue persists, consider a trial of thyroid hormone (see Hypothyroidism) or adrenal support (see Adrenal Exhaustion). In addition, see the sections on Sinusitis or Irritable Bowel Syndrome if you have symptoms for these, plus the section on Candida (the yeast infection that triggers sinusitis and spastic colon).
Read my books
You can also learn more by reading my books The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution (a fun and easy read), You Can Heal from Long COVID (also an easy read) and From Fatigued to Fantastic! (which is a bit more like a textbook).
More Information Online
Articles on Chronic Fatigue by Dr. T
Energy Analysis Program (free tool that helps you find the causes of your fatigue and tailors a program to optimize your energy)