Feeling Fatigue

Fatigue can affect anyone, from the Olympic athlete to the desk jockey to the day laborer. If you find yourself feeling tired at midday or needing to take a nap in the late afternoon, then you suffer from fatigue and what is causing it may surprise you. New studies have found that it is not necessarily what you are doing that is causing your fatigue but, rather, what you are missing that may be heightening this sense of tiredness. Mineral deficiencies, especially magnesium deficiency, have been found to play an important role in fatigue. 

A diet based on greasy fast food, overly processed foods, and foods that are high in sugar is one reason why Americans tend to be undernourished and suffering from signs of fatigue. Lacking the proper vitamins and minerals, we end up gaining weight while continuing to feel tired. Without these much needed minerals, our bodies can operate at their full potential and we start showing the symptoms of mineral depletion including food cravings, weight gain, poor immune system functioning, and fatigue. 

Magnesium is a mineral that every single cell in our body needs in order to function. It is used in over 300 different enzymatic interactions including cellular respiration and muscle relaxation. When our bodies are defiant in magnesium, we start to slow down on a cellular level, becoming more sluggish and tiring easier. People with chronic fatigue syndrome have been found to have low magnesium levels in their red blood cell count. The lack of magnesium along with calcium is also thought to contribute to nervous tension since both minerals help soothe and protect nerves and are critical for both energy production and proper nerve function. Magnesium is also important in order for the body to retain proper potassium levels. Low potassium levels in cells are also thought to contribute to fatigue since low levels of this important mineral generally means low blood sugar levels which in turn means fatigue symptoms. 

Another common cause for fatigue is anemia which is the shortage of iron in the blood. Women in their reproductive years who experience heavy menstrual cycles are especially susceptible in developing anemia. In fact, it is considered the leading cause of fatigue in women. This excess bleeding leads to a deficiency in iron-laden hemoglobin which helps carry oxygen throughout the body. This leads to oxygen deprivation resulting in fatigue. 

Many other things can end up causing fatigue including poor diet, stress, and even caffeine abuse. Whatever the cause, there are definitely ways in which you can overcome fatigue. These include eating better, exercising more and taking mineral supplements to cover your bases. By doing this, you will find yourself feeling healthier and having way more energy allowing you to do more of things you wish to do. Be sure to speak with a health care professional in order to discover the things that you need to do in order to overcome your fatigue.