Low Energy Treatment In San Diego
Symptoms of low energy
If you’re feeling low energy, there are many telltale signs. Being unable to wake up in the morning or dozing off during the day are two of the most obvious ones, but low energy can also manifest as anxiety, poor memory, lack of focus, and cravings for sugary foods.
Low energy symptoms include
- Difficulty waking in the morning despite getting enough sleep
- Necessity for caffeine in the morning to get up
- Dips in energy during the day
- A tired and wired feeling
- Cravings for sweet or sugary foods
- Feeling jittery, anxious, or lightheaded if skipping a meal
- Needing a “pick me up” in the afternoon
- Sleeping in on the weekends
- Feeling too fatigued to exercise
- Decreased concentration or brain fog
- Anxiety or depression
Causes of low energy:
Low energy can have many possible causes, from medical conditions such as thyroid disease and anemia to dietary and lifestyle factors such as nutrient deficiencies, poor sleep quality, or exposure to toxins. It is essential to work with your doctor in order to identify the true root of your low energy level, and take steps to heal it.
List of causes of low energy:
- Hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s
- Adrenal dysfunction
- Anemia
- Hormonal
- Imbalance
- Decreased quality sleep
- Imbalanced circadian rhythm
- Mold toxicity
- Blood sugar dysregulation
- Dehydration
- Low vitamin D
- Excess inflammation
- Food intolerances or allergies
- Malabsorption
- Imbalanced gut microbiome or dysbiosis
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Low quality diet
- Chronic stress
- Overuse of social media and electronics
- EBV, Lyme or other hidden infections
- Insomnia or sleep deprivation
- Toxin exposure
- Mitochondrial dysfunction
- Sleep apnea
Testing for low energy:
Testing is very individualized and is useful in understanding the root cause of a person’s low energy.
Testing can be used to identify potential underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to low energy, making it possible for your doctor to develop a personalized treatment plan. As naturopathic doctors, we like using data in order to better guide our clinical decision-making.
Tests that investigate root cause of low energy can include:
- Complete blood count including differential (hemoglobin & hematocrit)
- Thyroid panel (TSH, Free T3, Free T4, reverse T3, thyroid antibodies)
- Iron studies (ferritin, iron)
- Hormone panel (estradiol, testosterone, cortisol, DHEA)
- Salivary cortisol testing for adrenal function
- Vitamin D
- Glucose, HbA1c, insulin, leptin
- Food sensitivity testing
- Mycotoxin testing
- Micronutrient testing
Naturopathic Approach for low energy:
Everyone experiences fatigue differently, depending on the root cause. An in-depth initial consultation with one of our doctors can identify potential causes, but further testing may be required to accurately pinpoint the source and design an effective treatment plan tailored to your needs.
When it comes to managing low energy, assessing the various body systems involved in producing energy should be taken into account.
Consider the following factors that could influence your individual treatment plan:
Sleep
Many people are not getting the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep necessary for proper recovery and energy optimization. A disrupted circadian rhythm due to inadequate sleep can often result in low energy levels and fatigue.
For effective sleep and energy optimization, it is important to keep your bedroom dark and avoid electronic devices a couple of hours before bedtime. The blue light emitted from these devices can affect our melatonin levels, keeping us awake and ultimately reducing the quality of sleep. Additionally, eating close to bedtime can also lead to poorer quality sleep, leaving us feeling more fatigued in the morning.
Stress Reduction
The prevalence of chronic stress in our society takes a physical and energetic toll on us. An elevated level of cortisol, which is helpful in emergency situations, can weaken the immune system, reduce nutrient absorption, contribute to leaky gut and hormone imbalance, and lead to fatigue.
To maximize energy levels, it is important to tackle stress first- for if left unchecked, other interventions are likely to have limited success. Understanding how adrenal health plays an important role in our energy levels, is important for individuals with high-stress lifestyles.
Gut Health
The health of our gut has a significant impact on many areas of the body, from hormone balance to nutrient absorption, which are inextricably linked to energy levels.
If our gut isn’t operating as it should, this can lead to a range of issues – fatigue being only one. Luckily, there are several ways to optimize gut function; these strategies are often tailored by your naturopathic doctor depending on the underlying cause of the imbalance. Gut health is a key factor for maintaining an individuals overall health.
Blood sugar
Fluctuating blood sugar levels can lead to energy slumps throughout the day. An overconsumption of processed foods can result in a spike and subsequent crash in blood sugar levels, leading to a release of cortisol- a stress hormone- and an accompanying feeling of being ‘tired and wired’.
Take steps to prevent this by ensuring you don’t go too long without eating, avoiding processed foods, and including protein with every meal.
NAD+ IV Infusions
NAD+ is a vital nutrient that allows our cells’ mitochondria—their powerhouses—to generate energy (ATP).
When delivered intravenously, it is effectively absorbed by the body and can quickly replenish NAD+ levels.
As we age or experience prolonged stress and oxidative damage, our NAD+ levels decline – leading to less energy and reduced resilience.
NAD+ IV therapy is an efficient way to give you an energy boost while reaping a myriad of other rewards.