The Naturopathic Approach to Chronic Fatigue: Root Causes and Natural Solutions

Fatigue is one of the most common complaints reported in doctor's offices today. What most people do not realize is that fatigue is not just an isolated symptom that should be treated like another illness. Fatigue is indeed a basic energy imbalance in the body. This can be due to glandular imbalances, toxic metals, nutrient deficiencies, improper bowel flora, chronic infections and other metabolic disturbances.

The body is an energy-producing machine. Energy is required for all bodily functions and for the regeneration of all body tissues. When the body's energy production decreases, all body functions are affected and adrenal fatigue symptoms occur. Simply put, fatigue is an outward symptom. However, it is really a basic metabolic derangement that affects all body systems, from the nervous system to the immune system.

Fatigue Versus Burnout

Most people are not simply fatigued, fatigue is a condition that is relieved with a good night's sleep. Most people are actually in a state of burnout. The core problem is mitochondrial dysfunction that burnout causes. The difference is that burnout is a deeper derangement of body chemistry in which the body cannot regenerate itself during sleep. This causes a chronic and often relentless type of fatigue that is not corrected by just a few nights of deep sleep. In fact, many people in burnout just keep going using stimulants and without much sleep because they realize that sleeping does little to correct their problem.

Nutritional Balancing And Fatigue

Analytical Research Labs nutrition programs are specifically designed to rebuild and restore a person's energy system. It is important to realize this is a very different focus from most nutrition programs that primarily are designed to correct symptoms.

By focusing on the body's energy system, we correct at a deeper level. Often the program will head off or correct latent conditions that the patient is not the slightest bit aware of. Our only difficulty is explaining this idea and convincing patients to stay with the program while these deeper corrections take place. Fatigue, in other words, is often just the tip of the iceberg. It is often a symptom of much deeper imbalances that need attention so that major conditions do not develop later.

Other Aspects Of Fatigue Correction

In addition to the nutritional balancing program with energy boosting supplements along with other factors at times are of critical importance as well. These include lifestyle, detoxification, mental and emotional factors and at times a need for other forms of therapy.

Lifestyle. Fatigue may be due in part to doing too much, not sleeping enough or working at a job that is inappropriate for oneself. The most important lifestyle factor for most people is to get more rest and sleep. Many people who are fatigued do not sleep well, which just compounds their problem. A vicious cycle occurs in which the body becomes imbalanced, such as the calcium and magnesium become biounavailable, so that one cannot rest and relax well. Also, toxic metals, including copper, mercury lead and others build up, which also interfere with nervous system relaxation. The lack of rest in turn causes more imbalances and toxicity, which makes deep sleep even more difficult.

Developing healthful eating habits is another important lifestyle factor. Additional lifestyle factors needed to recover from burnout include simplifying one's life to reduce pressure and stress, not living beyond one's means and living in a quiet, clean and healthful environment.

Also important, and often overlooked, is avoiding too much exercise, as most often this just makes one more tired in the long run. Deep breathing, stretching and other gentle practices such as yoga or tai chi are far better than vigorous exercise to help recover from chronic fatigue.

Detoxification. Root cause medicine with our nutritional programs help detoxify the liver, kidneys and other organs by improving the energy level and supporting the function of these organs and tissues. We have also found that other detoxification methods can be most helpful. The most impressive is sauna therapy, which helps remove toxic metals and toxic chemicals through the skin. It may also helps clear chronic infections, vastly improves circulation and helps relax the sympathetic nervous system.

Mental and Emotional Factors. Psychological or emotional imbalances can at times override the benefits of any nutritional program. Attention to one's thoughts and emotions can be another important way to reduce stress on the body to allow healing to occur. Negative attitudes and damaging emotions such as fears, anger, worry and guilt have profound effects on one's health. This is a topic that cannot be overlooked for the best results.

Other Therapies. Depending on the cause, other therapies such as chiropractic, energy balancing, bodywork and other types of counseling can also help overcome some causes of fatigue. The benefit of a comprehensive approach is that as all these imbalances are corrected, not only fatigue, but many, many other symptoms disappear all on their own.