How to avoid fatigue

Feeling tired even at midday? Do you feel the need to take a nap around 3 pm? Fatigue affects everyone, from the person sitting at a desk with a computer job to athletes training every day to manual laborers working in the sun. New studies show, however, that fatigue can be heightened in those with mineral deficiencies, especially a magnesium deficiency.

With diets based on fast food, processed food, and high-sugar foods, it is little wonder that we, as Americans, are struggling to get the basic nutrients we need. Mineral- and vitamin-deficient, we gain weight and feel tired all the time. It is a proven fact that without the minerals we need, our bodies will not function properly, or to their full potentials. Some of the symptoms of mineral depletion include food cravings, weight gain, ill health, and fatigue.

Magnesium, in particular, is needed by every single cell in the body. It is used in over 300 enzymatic interactions to do everything from increasing cellular respiration to relaxing muscles. When we are magnesium deficient, our bodily functions slow down at the cellular level, causing everything to become sluggish until eventually fatigue ensues. In fact, low red blood cell magnesium levels, a more accurate measure of magnesium status than routine blood analysis, have been found in many patients with chronic fatigue.

Nervous tension brought on by deficiencies of calcium or magnesium is a common cause of fatigue. Calcium and magnesium soothe and protect the nerves. They are both critical for energy production and proper nerve function.

An additional cause of fatigue may be low blood sugar. Potassium cannot be retained by the cells unless magnesium is adequate. Whenever potassium in the cells is low, the blood sugar is also low. Magnesium is necessary to keep potassium in muscle cells; similar blood sugar levels occur when magnesium is deficient.

Fatigue may also be caused by anemia, a shortage of iron in the blood.  "If you are in your reproductive years, and particularly if you experience heavy menstrual cycles, have fibroid tumors or uterine polyps, or if you've recently given birth, the blood loss may have caused you to develop anemia -- a leading cause of fatigue in women," says Rebecca Amaru, MD, clinical instructor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. Excess bleeding leads to a deficiency of iron-laden hemoglobin, which carries oxygen throughout the body. Without the necessary oxygen, fatigue is sure to be a result.

Fatigue can be caused by many things, including poor eating habits, excessive stress, or even caffeine abuse. No matter what the cause of your fatigue, there is a way to overcome it. Through better eating habits, more exercise, and maybe even mineral supplements to fill in the gaps, you can become healthier and more awake when you need to be. Then you will be able to spend more time with loved ones, and do more of what you need to. Speak with your health care professional today to see what can be done to overcome your fatigue.