When deciding on this month’s topic, I was noticing the amazing contributions of many of our valley’s Momprenuers (including you, Robin!!) and wondering if they have a secret reservoir of energy hidden in their basement, and how do I get my hands on it!
In my practice, about 75% of the moms I see will include ‘fatigue’ somewhere on their list of top three chief complaints. It’s not surprising and I don’t need to tell you about the demands of motherhood, but that doesn’t mean we have to succumb and crawl through our day.
Enter nature’s pharmacy…
In determining remedies for low energy and fatigue, we first need to find out the cause of it.
Our thyroid gland plays a very important role in metabolism and energy and is usually the ‘go to’ for diagnosing reasons for fatigue. Hypothyroidism, or an under active thyroid or pituitary gland resulting in too little secretion of thyroid hormone, is significantly more common in females, especially if it’s evident in parents or grandparents. It can often develop when precipitated by a stressful event, including pregnancy and emotional or physical trauma.
Along with the overwhelming desire to stay in bed all day (as if that’s not bad enough), other symptoms that accompany hypothyroidism are dry skin, coarse and loss of hair, cold hands and feet, headaches, dizziness, joint and muscle aches, depression, poor memory, constipation, weight gain, decreased libido, menstrual irregularities, including heavy flow, PMS, cramping, more frequent bleeding, and infertility.
Hypothyroidism is typically diagnosed by a blood test, but sometimes hormone levels are within the ‘normal’ range even with the display of the previously mentioned symptoms. Subclinical Hypothyroidism is just that, normal blood tests with subjective symptoms. In this case, I have my patients chart their body temperature every morning before rising to determine if there is a low basal body temperature therefore indicating a sluggish thyroid gland.
Once an under active gland is determined, there are numerous remedies aimed at balancing the thyroid. Iodine is required for the production of thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4) and a lack of it will result in a swelling of the neck called a goiter. However, too much iodine will also interfere with T3 & T 4 production. Some foods, called goitrogens, will interfere with the absorption of iodine, such as turnips, cabbage, mustard, soybeans, peanuts, pine nuts and millet, however they are usually deactivated when cooked and shouldn’t cause a problem.
Amino acid tyrosine, found in protein sources, is another important supplement for optimizing thyroid function, as well as zinc, Vitamin A, B2, B3, B6, C and E.
Glandulars are useful at fine tuning the thyroid gland. These supplements are tissues taken from various animal sources and have been found to contain biologically active gland hormones.
Herbs can also be used to balance thyroid hormones, including Bacopa, Ashwagandha, Lithospermum, Lycopus, Bauhinia and Commiphora.
Another endocrine gland that impacts our energy levels is the adrenal glands. Located at the tips of both kidneys, our adrenals have many functions, some of which include regulating blood pressure, converting proteins and fats to glucose and triggering the ‘fight or flight’ adrenaline response.
The stress hormone, cortisol is secreted from the adrenal glands in highest amounts in the morning and lowest in the evening. However, with prolonged physical and psychological stress, cortisol is continuously released, regardless of the time of day, and can result in depression, fatigue, insomnia, high blood sugar, muscle and bone loss, and impaired immune function.
Adrenal exhaustion is quite common in moms and I’ve found treatments that address this area will result in increased and stabilized energy levels. Ginseng, both Korean and Siberian have been used for centuries for restoring vitality, enhancing stress resistance, boosting mental and physical performance and reducing anxiety. Other common adaptogenic herbs include Ashwagandha, Rhodiola and Licorice.
All the B vitamins, in particular, B12, B6 and B5, are vital to restoring adrenal gland function and are commonly known as the energy vitamin.
This might be a good chance to plug the importance of ‘you’ time. Cortisol levels will respond to activities such as exercise and deep breathing. Along with the challenge of finding time, there can be issues of feeling too tired to exercise. Exercise will increase energy, so it’s important to make an honest effort to move your body daily. And your kids will reap the benefits, too.
Another common contributor to fatigue is anemia, of which there are numerous kinds. Iron deficient anemia is often a result of blood loss, either acute or chronic (example: heavy menstruation or peptic ulcers) or when there is a higher blood volume demand, as in pregnancy. Once diagnosed by a blood test, it can be easily reversed by supplementing with iron and Vitamin C for increasing the absorption.
Pernicious anemia is a result of a Vitamin B12 (and potentially folic acid) deficiency. Intramuscular injections of B12 and folic acid, as well as increasing dietary sources, from animal protein, brewer’s yeast, dark leafy vegetables and whole grains, will correct the deficiency and therefore the fatigue.
Diet plays an important role in our ‘get up and go’ status. Getting adequate amounts of protein and fat, teamed with our carbohydrates will prevent blood sugar yo-yo-ing and maintain energy levels longer. A diet including living foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, lets US live. A goal of getting a serving of fruits and vegetables from every color of the rainbow each day will ensure we are receiving all the vitamins, minerals, bioflavonoids and enzymes that our body needs to function at 100%. And supplementing with a greens powder drink can give that extra push when going through the mid-afternoon slumps.
I watch my toddler zoom around the house pushing his cart wondering if his batteries will ever run out. But then again, now that I have some extra help from herbs, supplements and diet, why would I ever want it too?!!
© Dr. Amy Wells, BSc., ND
