There seems to be never enough hours in the day to get things done.\u00a0 Well, this is especially true if you have to take a nap mid-day.\u00a0 Or if you don\u2019t have the privilege to lie down, you may be experiencing symptoms like difficulty concentrating, lack of interest, moodiness, irritability, weight gain, or even depression. So, you hit the coffee bar and order an espresso drink thinking it will help \u201cget you through the day\u201d. This paints a picture for many.\u00a0 But the days we have are precious and should never be taken for granted.\u00a0 Whether it is affecting you at work, or just getting things done around the house, it can get severe if underlying conditions are not managed.\u00a0 Usually, this doesn\u2019t happen overnight.\u00a0 There may have been signs along the way that were missed.\u00a0 Troubleshooting your lack of energy can help make the most out of your day.<\/p>\n
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It is very easy to test Vitamin D levels in the blood.\u00a0 Most Americans are deficient in vitamin D and daily multivitamins don\u2019t provide enough. Compelling research has demonstrated that vitamin D blood levels in the range of 50 to 80 ng\/mL are associated with reduced mortality and a lower risk of common diseases.1<\/small><\/sup> Also, if your vitamin D value is low, it is likely that your hormones are affected.\u00a0 Adults, can safely take 5,000 IU per day of a vitamin D supplement.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For many people, especially if they are gaining weight, they think that their thyroid is to blame for lack of energy.\u00a0 Dry skin, hair loss, and feeling cold all the time are other symptoms of low thyroid.<\/p>\n Often, small variations in thyroid levels that are within the medically normal range can create severe symptoms.\u00a0 Thyroid function should never be based on just testing the TSH and T4 in the blood.\u00a0 Levels vary day to day, even hour to hour, and often stabilize on their own.2<\/small><\/sup>\u00a0Other thyroid tests that should be included are T4 and T3.\u00a0 Since 80% of the most active T3 is produced outside the thyroid, environmental factors should be considered.\u00a0 Altered thyroid function can be influenced by factors such as increased iodine intake, selenium, and vitamin D deficiency, exposure to radiation, exposure to pesticides, cigarette smoking, and even viral infections such as HPV or hepatitis C.3<\/small><\/sup>\u00a0 It is necessary to comprehend the association between environmental agents and thyroid dysfunction to make sure you are correctly addressing the causes.<\/p>\n One specific endocrine disruptor that you are probably being exposed to is Bromide.\u00a0 If you are exposed to a lot of bromine, your body will not hold on to the iodine that it needs because iodine is important for the thyroid as well as other organs in your body.<\/p>\n There are natural alternatives to manage and correct thyroid disease that may include vitamins, enzymes, homeopathic remedies and diet modification.\u00a0 However, in order to not waste time by guessing, it is recommended to get tested first.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cB vitamins help provide energy by helping convert carbohydrates to glucose, and also are important in fat and protein metabolism.\u201d Says Elson Hass, MD, and integrative physician and author of Staying Healthy with Nutrition.\u00a0 He also adds that \u201cThey\u2019re important for the normal functioning of the nervous system and help bring relaxation to individuals who are stressed or fatigued.\u201d<\/p>\n A balanced diet can be a helpful way to make sure you are getting all of your B vitamins.\u00a0 There are currently 8 essential B vitamins.\u00a0 Not all types of vitamin B do the same thing. Additionally, the different types of vitamin B all come from different types of foods. Vitamin B12, for example, is found primarily in meat and dairy products.\u00a0 Many vegans become deficient in B12 because of their dietary restrictions.\u00a0 B vitamins are also found in fruits and vegetables.<\/p>\n Low B vitamins can lead to anemia.\u00a0 But there is not just one form of anemia.\u00a0 Deficiencies of B12, Folate, B6, and\/or Iron, menstruation, infections, digestive problems that impair nutrient absorption and ongoing bleeding can all cause anemia.\u00a0\u00a0 A person may not even know that they are anemic right away because the body may adjust and you may not feel different unless the anemia becomes severe.<\/p>\n Many medications also cause depletion of B vitamins.\u00a0 These include but are not limited to:<\/p>\n Heartburn medications<\/p>\n Diabetic medications<\/p>\n Antibiotics<\/p>\n Diuretics for high blood pressure<\/p>\n Birth control<\/p>\n Hormone replacement therapy<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The best way to determine your levels of anemia is to test a complete blood count (CBC) in the blood.\u00a0 Testing the serum Iron and Ferritin is also advised to determine the levels of available iron and your back-up supply.\u00a0 Supplements can help to prevent or correct B vitamin depletions in just a short period of time when correct dosing recommendation and serial testing is done.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Eating frequent smaller meals throughout the day versus few large meals can help maintain steady sugar levels and avoid the mid-afternoon slump.\u00a0 These meals and snacks should consist of protein, vegetables, healthy fats, some fruit, and high-quality carbohydrates such as whole grains.<\/p>\n The best way to use food as energy is to pay attention to the glycemic index, which measures how quickly sugar from food is absorbed into your bloodstream. Foods with a high glycemic index, like simple carbohydrates such as bread, pasta, rice, and cereal, increase blood sugar levels right away, but this leads to an insulin spike which usually ends in a \u201csugar crash\u201d.\u00a0 However, eating foods with a low glycemic index are absorbed more slowly and can provide steady energy levels.<\/p>\n Common foods with lower glycemic index<\/p>\nTHYROID<\/u><\/strong><\/h2>\n
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B VITAMIN LEVELS<\/u><\/strong><\/h2>\n
DIET<\/u><\/strong><\/h2>\n