Are you fatigued, exhausted, or overwhelmed? Maybe you’re finding that your fatigue happens at certain times of the day, but not others. Maybe you’re self-medicating with coffee or sugar later in the day. You’re just trying to function. We all know what it feels like to be tired.
In today’s world, it seems like many of us are constantly feeling drained, no matter how much we sleep or rest. If you’re feeling run down and exhausted all the time, you may want to consider looking into functional medicine. You need to know that there are natural solutions to get to the bottom of your fatigue.
Functional medicine is a field of medicine that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of illness, rather than just treating symptoms. We need to look at the big picture. The beautiful thing that functional medicine does is it looks at the big picture.
We need to assess these elements
1. Appropriate food intake.
We need to know if the food you’re eating is breaking down correctly and not affecting your carbohydrates, blood sugar, or fat. Food breaks down into three things called macronutrients, protein, fat, and carbs. The following questions need to be answered:
- What is your intake?
- What are you doing if you’re fatigued?
- What is the ratio of your protein to fat to carbs?
2. Macronutrient ratio.
We need to look at the macronutrient ratio too. The other thing is we have to run appropriate labs to see what’s going on with your fatigue. This is where you rely on your doctor to run the right tests for you. There are a few of them that are more commonly tested, but there are some of them that are not looked at in detail.
3. Iron is an essential micronutrient
Something I like to look at in the functional medicine sense is a full iron panel. This means we need to look at iron including saturation. We need to look at ferritin to see if that iron is getting into the cell. If we’re not seeing that, then we know there’s something is going on with either absorption or utilization.
4. B Vitamin Status
When it comes to feeling fatigued, there are several factors that we need to consider. One of the most important things to look at is your B vitamin status, as many cases of tiredness and tiredness can be linked to a deficiency in these important nutrients. Through a simple blood test, we can determine if you are lacking any essential B vitamins and then work with you to address this shortfall and help you feel more energized once again. So whether it’s your diet, your overall health status, or something else entirely that is leaving you feeling exhausted, the right functional medicine approach can help uncover the root cause of your fatigue and get you back on track.
5. Liver function
Liver function is a big consideration in functional medicine. The liver is responsible for many biochemical reactions in the body, including detoxification, methylation, and energy production. When the liver is not functioning optimally, it can lead to a variety of health problems, including fatigue, anxiety, and depression. One way to assess liver function is to measure homocysteine levels. Homocysteine is a byproduct of methylation, and elevated levels can indicate that the liver is not methylating properly. If you are concerned about your liver function, be sure to ask about testing your homocysteine levels.
6. Blood sugar.
One of the main things that can impact lactate dehydrogenase levels is insulin – whether one has adequate or inadequate insulin production can greatly impact how the enzyme functions in our bodies. This is why it is so important to carefully monitor one’s glucose and insulin levels when evaluating lactate dehydrogenase activity, as doing so can provide valuable insights into what is going on with one’s body. Additionally, it is also important to consider other factors that might influence lactate dehydrogenase activity, such as other hormones and nutrient intake. Ultimately, by taking all of these factors into account, we can gain a better understanding of what is happening with our bodies and make more informed decisions about how to optimize our health.
7. We also need to look at lifestyle.
Within the field of functional medicine, we focus on exploring various aspects of our daily lives to see how we can best optimize our health and well-being. Some key areas we look at include sleep, exercise, nutrition, and mindset. For example, we need to take a good look at our sleep schedule to see if we are getting enough rest each night. Are we getting into bed early enough or staying up too late?
Additionally, we need to assess our level of physical activity and determine if we are exercising in a way that is effective for our needs. We should also consider the roles that food and sunlight play in our overall health and make sure that we are including those elements in our diets and routines as appropriate. Lastly, it is crucial that we maintain a healthy mindset by staying positive and focusing on self-care practices like meditation or breathing exercises. By looking at each of these key areas and making the necessary adjustments, we can help to improve our overall health and wellbeing.
8. Water intake.
When it comes to water, it is crucial to consider the type of water that you are drinking. Some water is mineral-dense, meaning that it contains a rich supply of important minerals such as calcium and magnesium. This type of water is essential for maintaining optimal health, as these essential minerals help to support all aspects of our wellbeing, from strengthening our bones to regulating our heart rate.
Alternatively, some water may be stripped of its mineral content through excessive processing or filtering. In this case, consuming water that lacks those vital nutrients can actually cause us to become depleted and fatigued. Therefore, in order to combat feelings of tiredness and lethargy, it is important to take steps to increase the mineral density of the water we drink. This can be achieved by choosing water that has been minimally processed or filtered and also by supplementing our diets with foods rich in minerals such as leafy greens and nuts. Through proper water intake and good nutrition, we can give ourselves the fuel we need to stay energized and vibrant throughout the day.
9. Alcohol intake.
Alcohol intake can definitely affect how we feel, from both a short- and long-term perspective. In the short term, alcohol is a depressant, which means it can make us feel tired and sluggish. This is why we often wake up feeling groggy after a night of drinking. In the long term, alcohol can also lead to fatigue by damaging our liver function. The liver is responsible for detoxifying our bodies, and when it’s not functioning properly, we can start to feel tired and run down. If you’re concerned about your alcohol intake affecting your fatigue it’s worth speaking to a professional about functional medicine.
If you’re feeling run down and constantly tired, functional medicine may be the right approach for you. Functional medicine is all about finding the root cause of your symptoms and addressing them holistically. Rather than treating fatigue as a standalone issue, functional medicine practitioners take a whole-person approach that looks at all aspects of your health – from diet to stress levels to sleep habits. This focus on the individual can make all the difference in restoring your energy and vitality. Ready to give it a try? Schedule a discovery call with us today and let us help you find relief from fatigue.
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DISCLAIMER: The information in this email is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content is for general informational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional
