Are you tired all the time? No matter what you do, you just can’t get enough energy. The more you sleep, the better you eat, simply isn’t enough. We all tend to blame being tired on a too-busy lifestyle. And much of the time we’re right. But if you feel tired all the time or you’re always asking yourself “why am I so tired?”, don’t ignore this symptom.
There are different types of fatigue, each with a range of explanations behind it and how to prevent it.
Caffeine is No Longer Helping
Drinking tea or coffee, isn’t always the key to feeling alert and spunky all day, it can actually bring you down if you have too much of it. Caffeine is a stimulant that elevates the hormones released from your adrenal gland (noradrenalin) as well as the hormone serotonin from the brain and gut. While this may help you to literally “feel” better, it will also deplete your body’s own natural response to releasing them when needed. Therefore resulting in the perpetual need for caffeine for energy.
Energy Lulls or Crashes
We feel a gap in our energy levels thanks to the way our blood sugar dips and spikes throughout the day. This unusual teetertotter can be made worse by eating sugary foods which cause us to experience a high and then a crash shortly after, leaving us more tired. Eating foods that slow release energy is a way to prevent this, such as healthy fats, fiber and vegetables.
Inability to Concentrate
Find yourself staring at the computer screen, unable to concentrate? Or had someone explain something to you and managed to retain absolutely no information whatsoever? This could be because you aren’t getting enough of certain B vitamins. People who are deficient in B vitamins often suffer with irritability, poor memory and concentration. Supplementing with a B vitamin Shot weekly can help to feed your body the B vitamins it’s lacking, naturally.
If you find yourself constantly tired, in need of a Holistic solution, contact the office to get to the root cause of your fatigue and get back your energy today!
If you’re constantly exhausted despite getting a good night’s rest, it may be non-sleep issues that are bringing you down. Reasons for fatigue can range anywhere from diet to exercise to medications and certain medical conditions. Addressing the root of the cause, whatever that may be, should be your first step. Here’s a rundown of some common culprits that may be causing a full-time energy slump in your daily routine:
Dehydration
Even mild dehydration can sabotage energy levels and make it difficult to concentrate. But our thirst isn’t a good indicator of hydration, since we often don’t feel thirsty until we’re already slightly dehydrated. Aim for at least half of your body weight in fluid.
Stress
When we’re under chronic stress, our adrenal glands pump out the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. These stress hormones can stay elevated for hours, and surge yet again and again with the next stressful events.
The result: a constant state of elevated stress hormones, running throughout your body, which has been shown to increase abdominal fat and make it harder to lose extra body fat, despite a solid diet and exercise regimen.
The key is to find ways to manage stress more effectively – always easier said than done. Make it a point to carve out time for exercise, creative hobbies, or even just spending time with people whose company you enjoy, all of which can significantly reduce our cortisol levels.
Thyroid
An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) affects the entire body, with symptoms including fatigue, high cholesterol, slow heart rate and difficulty losing extra weight. If you suspect an underactive thyroid, ask me how to balance them naturally.
Anemia
Anemia can cause fatigue, headaches and shortness of breath because it interferes with the circulation of oxygen throughout our body. A simple blood test can determine if you’re anemic. Common causes include deficiencies in iron, folate or vitamin B12; foods rich in these nutrients (think egg yolks, legumes, spinach, red meat, and oysters) can help to correct a deficiency. If you’re not getting enough through diet alone, then it’s time to consider a B-Vitamin Shot (link in bio).
There can be many causes for that wiped-out feeling. For some, the problem may be resolved with simple changes to diet and exercise. In other cases, the issue may require an in-depth consultation going to the root of the cause.
As a Naturopathic Doctor, I am often asked a variety of health questions related to vitamins. The most popular questions are centered around the benefits of the B-Vitamins. Because of the demand in curiosity I decided to group some of the answers to why the B-Vitamins are so beneficial below. I hope they shine some clarity on some of your curiosities as well.
QUESTIONS:
1. Why are there so many different B-Vitamins? B-Vitamins are a group of eight chemically distinct vitamins, each one performing unique functions with specific benefits. They help convert our food into energy and play important roles in different aspects of cell metabolism, helping you stay energized throughout the day. But they are also important in promoting healthy skin and hair, balancing moods and relieving stress, helping mental clarity and focus, supporting cardiovascular health, preventing migraines, and promoting immunity.
2. Are each of the B vitamins equally important? YES! They all function in unique manners throughout the body and each body system, hormone pathway or organ can require a different B-Vitamin to help serve it best. For example, vitamin B6 (also known as pyridoxine) is beneficial in feeding the hormone pathways of the body for optimum balance. You can find Vitamin B6 in either the B-Vital™ or Mega Shot™.
3. What are the symptoms of B-Vitamin deficiency? Symptoms of a deficiency depend on what type of Vitamin B you lack. The most common deficiency is B12 deficiency, which is actually relatively common. It causes lethargy, fatigue, weakness, anemia, memory loss, and neurological problems and even psychiatric problems. B vitamin deficiencies can cause all sorts of problems however, ranging from headaches, irritability, and confusion to anemia or a compromised immune system, to fatigue. Skin rashes, dry skin, cracks at the corners of the mouth, frequent bruising, and wounds that require a long time to heal can be symptoms. Muscle weakness, a lack of coordination, and numbness or tingling in the fingers and toes may also occur.
4. Can B-Vitamins only be given in a Shot? As a matter of fact, B-vitamins can also be given in higher concentrations in an intavenous form or IV Infusion. IVs are a great option for those looking to receive high quantities of more than one vitamin, such as Vitamin C, electrolytes, and minerals.
If your curiosity is peeked and you’re wondering which B-vitamin Shot would be most beneficial to you, please click here.
I’m often asked a variety of questions, that I’ve grouped the answers to why the B-Vitamins are so great. I hope these help to quell your B-Vitamin curiosities ?
1. Why are there so many different B-Vitamins?
B-Vitamins are a group of eight chemically distinct vitamins, each one performing unique functions with specific benefits. They help convert our food into energy and play important roles in different aspects of cell metabolism, helping you stay energized throughout the day. But they are also important in promoting healthy skin and hair, balancing moods and relieving stress, helping mental clarity and focus, supporting cardiovascular health, preventing migraines, and promoting immunity.
2. Are each of the B vitamins equally important?
YES! They all function in unique manners throughout the body.
3. What are the symptoms of B-Vitamin deficiency?
Symptoms of a deficiency depend on what type of Vitamin B you lack. The most common deficiency is B12 deficiency, which is actually relatively common. It causes lethargy, fatigue, weakness, anemia, memory loss, and neurological problems and even psychiatric problems.
But B vitamin deficiencies can cause all sorts of problems ranging from headaches, irritability, and confusion to anemia or a compromised immune system, to fatigue. Skin rashes, dry skin, cracks at the corners of the mouth, frequent bruising, and wounds that require a long time to heal can be symptoms. Muscle weakness, a lack of coordination, and numbness or tingling in the fingers and toes may also occur.
4. What are some food options when consuming B-Vitamins?
B vitamins are particularly concentrated in meat such as turkey, tuna, and liver. But other good plant sources for B vitamins include legumes, whole grains, potatoes, bananas, chili peppers, nutritional and brewer’s yeast, tempeh, and molasses.
Probably one of the most important things you can do food-wise to get B’s from your diet is to eat fermented foods. Gut bacteria synthesize and supply some of the B vitamins, so if you are not eating fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, or kefir, take a good probiotic daily.
Since Vitamin B12 is found primarily in meat and dairy products, strict vegetarians and vegans in particular are at risk for a deficiency. Vitamin B9 (Folate) can be found in many foods, from meats to grains to citrus fruits. Vitamin B6 can be found in fish, poultry, liver, potatoes, and non-citrus fruit.
5. What does Methylation have to do with B-vitamins?
Methylation is a process that your cells perform billions of times each second. Without proper methylation, your body will not be able to respond properly to stress—either to physical stressors, such as toxins and challenging foods or to psychological stressors, such as life challenges and pressures. As a result, you’ll be more vulnerable to chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, autoimmune conditions, Alzheimer’s, and other neurological problems. Improper methylation also makes you more vulnerable to the decline in function that we usually associate with aging.
It is believed that about half of us have some type of genetic mutation that makes it difficult to methylate, so look for B vitamins with methylated forms of B12 and folic acid or look for natural folate for maximum benefit. You can get genetic testing (the MTHFR gene test) to find out whether you have one of these defective genes.
6. Is getting a Vitamin B IV drip—something that’s become so popular these days—the best way to get Vitamin B?
A typical “Meyer’s Cocktail,” which is a common intravenous shot of vitamins, contains a B complex mix. Make sure you are getting methylated B12 and folic acid in IV. They have become quite popular now, but I tend to use it for my patients who are tired, are coming down with a “cold” or “flu,” or who just need a boost.
Ready to get a BOOST of B-VITAMINS, visit us here.
Why is Vitamin B12 and other B-vitamins so Important? Here are just a few but important reasons as to the many benefits of Vitamin B12 and B-vitamins in general.
1.All B vitamins convert food into energy for the body, as well as help the body use fats and proteins. Therefore, it’s great for healthy weight loss, energy, and mental clarity.
2. Vitamin B12 found in food sources is bound to protein, where stomach acid releases the vitamin during digestion. Once the vitamin is released, it combines with Intrinsic Factor and is then absorbed into the blood for use in the body’s many vital processes.
3. SHOTS of Vitamin B12 do not need to be absorbed by the GI and are ready to use immediately, which is why they are recommended for those with stomach problems, who have difficulty separating the vitamin from food.
4. Since Vitamin B12 is found in animal products, those that do not eat any animal products like dairy, cheese, or eggs are at risk for deficiency. Vegans & Vegetarians MUST supplement their diet for this reason. Getting a B12 SHOT is IMPERATIVE.
Need your Vitamin B Shot today? Stop by any of the Vitamin Shot Bar times to get in and out in less than 5 minutes.
