Energy – when it is in abundance, life is great. It is easy to jump out of bed eager to start the day. Exercising and other tasks are done with gusto. But, waking tired and depleted can make accomplishing even basic tasks more challenging.

Fatigue can be caused by many things, so it is important to understand what lies at the root of chronic episodes. Often, there are internal or medical reasons that lie at the root of feeling drained all the time. While the advice to eat right, exercise, and get plenty of sleep is great, it is sometimes not enough to address severe cases "of fatigue.

Courtney Garner, M.S.N., A.P.R.N., C.N.P. is a medical provider for the biostation, a functional medical facility located in south Florida. She reports that over 90 percent of her patients complain of chronic depletion.

“A decline in sex hormones and suboptimal vitamin levels are contributing factors for chronic tiredness,” Gardner said. “Once I begin exploring lifestyle choices, these internal deficiencies are compounded by a great deal of external, physical, and emotional stress. Many of my patients over-worry about their situations and often turn to bad habits and coping mechanisms, when they should turn to deep breathing, meditation, and exercise.”

If a sense of lethargy seems to be a daily companion, it is a good idea for clients to find a functional medical provider who can do a comprehensive blood panel assessment to determine what else might lie at the root of the problem.

Patients might be surprised to learn that they have imbalances in their thyroid, iron levels, hormones, and vitamin levels – all of which can contribute to feeling drained. Overcoming exhaustion is impossible if cells and tissues do not have a sufficient amount of energy.
Taking proper measures to discover these root issues can help with addressing the underlying issues that might be causing a depletion in energy and build a level of internal resource that will help patients respond better to making better food choices, sleeping more, and exercising.

Energy-boosting supplements

A depletion in vitamin B12 levels can cause symptoms of chronic fatigue and mental fogginess. Adding B12 to a daily regimen can also help brain function and memory. Naturally occurring sources of B12 are fish, shellfish, eggs, and red meat.

“B12 is safe with no recorded side effects,” Garner said. “When supplementing with B12, your body will take what it needs and eliminate the rest. The best supplement form is methylcobalamin.”

The top two herbs Garner recommends for energy are ginseng and rhodiola. Both are herbal adaptogens. Ginseng supports the adrenal gland’s natural response to stressors, including mental stress, anxiety, and physical activity. It is often used in patients suffering from chronic fatigue or adrenal related fatigue and can support hormone levels. Rhodiola is another herbal adaptogen that has been used for hundreds of years to support the nervous and immune systems, improve stamina, and encourage a healthy mood. Literature suggests that rhodiola supplementation improves work performance, sleep quality, and sustained energy following intense physical or mental exertion.

Carnitine is an amino acid concentrated in the body’s most metabolically active organs: the brain, heart, and muscles. Its primary job is to transport fatty acids into the mitochondria, where they are burned for energy. As people age, levels can become depleted, causing energy drain and loss of muscle mass. Clinical trials have indicated positive results in self-reported improvements for exercise capability, body composition, and metal fatigue.

D-ribose is a naturally occurring simple sugar that restores and recharges the body. It targets the body’s source of energy production for an effective rebound from muscle fatigue and pain. Medical research demonstrates that D-ribose naturally increases a person’s ability to metabolize energy. By helping the body replenish energy as it is being used, D-ribose helps maintain strength and flexibility.

Choosing a supplement manufacturer

In 1994, the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act defined dietary supplements as a food. This meant that over-the-counter supplements were held to different and less-scrutinized regulations than drugs.

With less oversight of manufacturers, there has been room for problems. Pesticides, toxins, and heavy metals can taint herbs being promoted as healthy. Unbelievably, testing has shown that some supplements do not contain everything listed on the ingredient list or in different quantities than indicated. Consumers do not always know what they are getting.

“All supplement choices should be fully vetted by a medical professional you trust,” Garner said. “Find supplement companies that use a compound pharmacy and offer testing to verify the efficacy of the product.”

Learning more about causes of low energy and supplements available to boost energy can help professionals when making recommendations to clients. For clients who experience ongoing, daily fatigue, consultation with a medical provider and testing may be required. Becoming educated on the subject will help guide professionals in these cases.