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Ways to optimise your energy and beat fatigue
There is no doubt, many of us lead a life in the fast lane and expect our body and mind to keep up. What is often forgotten is that just as a car requires regular servicing and the correct fuel to drive the distance, your body needs the same level of care and attention. This is both in the form of ‘fuel’, i.e. food, but also in the form of restorative ‘servicing’ or self-care. Without these two aspects our body simply can’t produce the currency it needs to make the energy to keep up.
The dominant currency our body uses for energy is known as ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and this is made by the factory within each of our cells called the mitochondria. How efficiently these mitochondria work, and therefore how much ATP they can produce, is affected by a number of different factors but the food we eat heavily influences this process.
Eat foods high in protein with every meal and snack. Protein slows the breakdown of foods and absorption of glucose into the bloodstream. The types of foods highest in protein are eggs (choose free-range or organic), meat, fish, beans and legumes (lentils, chickpeas), nuts and seeds. These protein-rich foods support amino acids like glutathione that protect the mitochondria, and CoEnzymeQ10 and Alpha Lipoic Acid that support ATP production.
The B vitamins are essential for energy production and vitamin B5 in particular for production of the glucocorticoid hormones in the adrenals, such as cortisol. Good sources include whole grains, eggs, beans and lentils, a wide range of vegetables, fish and meats (choose good quality or organic meat). Taking a vitamin B complex can be very supportive.
Magnesium is essential for energy production and for our adrenal hormones, and is quickly used up when we are stressed. The best examples are nuts and seeds (especially pumpkin seeds and hemp seeds), buckwheat groats or flour, greens such as spinach and kale, and fish and seafood
Vitamin C is another nutrient that is vital for the manufacture of adrenal hormones. Fruits and vegetables are the best source but, contrary to popular belief, oranges do not have the highest levels. Better sources include peppers, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, watercress and red cabbage.
If you make smoothies, add in a spoonful of the micro-algae chlorella or spirulina. These foods are extremely rich in a wide range of nutrients, including those mentioned above, and are easily absorbed because they need little processing by the digestive system.
Healthy fats are also ‘fuel’ for the mitochondria. So make sure you increase oily fish in your diet, avocados, coconut oil, olive oil or flax seed oil. Healthy fats also protect the mitochondria by providing anti-inflammatory support.
People with low energy and low adrenal reserves often crave stimulants such as coffee, tea or energy drinks to boost their energy and get through the day. But caffeine also stimulates the adrenals and makes them work even harder, making the situation worse in the long run. Even decaffeinated versions of coffee and standard tea can contain other stimulants such as theobromine and should be avoided. Try reducing caffeine and drink green tea instead which can be a good option as it contains less caffeine and tannins.
The mitochondria are also sensitive to toxins and interesting research looks at how some medications and chemicals compromise its function. Supporting the mitochondria with what it needs (e.g. nutrients) is just as important as removing factors which block its function. This is where cleaning up a diet and removing unnecessary toxins is essential. Supporting the health of the gut is also important as this in turn supports the immune system and healthy management of inflammation. When inflammation gets out of control it can affect the mitochondria – what is termed as mitochondrial dysfunction. Long before we even understood the science of energy and the mitochondria, natural practitioners across the world have been recommending healthy detoxification as a means of supporting energy production.
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