Why You Are So TIRED
In a Nutshell
Fatigue stems from root causes like insomnia (e.g., sleep apnea, restless legs), blood sugar swings (cut all carbs), slow thyroid (selenium/iodine/zinc), histamine overload (avoid cheese/fermented foods), latent viruses (20,000 IU vitamin D3 + K2/magnesium), salt/potassium deficiency (electrolytes, keto-friendly), low oxygen (copper/iron/B12, betaine HCl), magnesium/B1 shortages (glycinate/allithiamine), no sun exposure, mold/inflammation, Long COVID (NAC/zinc/CoQ10), low protein (red meat meals), and adrenal issues (sea salt/ashwagandha/walks). Identify and fix the specific cause—e.g., low-carb diet, high-dose vitamin D/magnesium, electrolyte powders, and daily nature walks—rather than masking with caffeine. Prioritize sleep via stretches, dim lights, no pre-bed snacks, and watch dedicated sleep videos for best energy gains.
These notes were generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies.
Fatigue and being tired is a symptom, not the root cause. Treating the symptom with energy drinks or caffeine makes people worse. Identify the root cause to easily get rid of fatigue.
Many reasons people can't sleep: getting up several times a night urinating, sleep apnea (can't breathe), cramps in lower calves, restless leg syndrome. Lack of sleep affects cognitive function, especially attention when someone is talking. Severely affects blood sugar, leading to more snacking and cravings for wrong foods.
Recommendations for insomnia:
- Go for long walks every single day without cell phone in nature.
- Before bed, do a lot of stretches.
- Keep lights dimmed.
- Eliminate snacking before bed.
Blood sugar going up and down causes tiredness because cells are starving for fuel despite available food. Diabetics have high blood glucose unavailable to cells due to insulin resistance, leading to tiredness.
Feel need to nap 2 hours after eating sugar or hidden sugar as starch (pasta, rice, bread).
Solution:
- Completely cut out all carbs.
- Go low carb and avoid eating frequently/snacks.
Hypothyroid condition causes tiredness. Thyroid hormones: T4 converts to active T3, which goes into mitochondria (energy factory), controls number of mitochondria and ATP (energy currency). Body turns off non-essentials, e.g., lowers temperature causing cold feet.
90% of hypothyroidism is autoimmune. Selenium for autoimmune thyroid; iodine and zinc for non-autoimmune.
Histamines are a neurotransmitter. Certain populations have more histamines, aggravated by foods, overstimulating brain and causing tiredness. Feels like irritated, can't relax, allergy fatigue: thicker heavy sinus issue, low blood pressure, can't sleep.
High-histamine foods: cheese, smoked meats, fermented foods—make you tired after eating.
Dr. Berg supplements available on Amazon by searching "Dr. Berg supplements".
Certain viruses go latent (dormant) and reactivate, draining immune system, causing tiredness. Post-exertion fatigue 24 hours later (feel fine after workout, exhausted next day).
Activators: stress, low vitamin D, junk food.
Solutions:
- Reduce stress (e.g., vacation).
- At least 20,000 IU vitamin D3 with K2 and magnesium.
Sodium-potassium pump generates voltage/electricity for nervous system and muscles. Deficient in either causes tiredness, lack of get-up-and-go, especially with exertion—no charge in battery.
People more deficient in potassium (need 4,700 mg); not eating 4-5 avocados or big salads. Refined carbohydrates deplete potassium.
On ketogenic diet, flush out salts, need more salt to avoid keto fatigue (weakness; salt perks up).
Solutions: more potassium from food or electrolyte drink high in potassium.
From anemia: iron deficiency, low B12. Without iron/B12, red blood cells can't carry oxygen; mitochondria can't make energy.
Most anemia (not menstruating females losing blood) lacks copper (regulates iron). Too much iron is bad.
Exception: low stomach acid (heartburn, acid reflux) causes tiredness—take betaine hydrochloride (5-6 before each meal); digestive problems vanish, energy returns.
Magnesium deficiency causes fatigue, cramps, tight muscles, insomnia. Hard to test (blood test misses intracellular magnesium); most people deficient.
Solution: magnesium glycinate before bed (relaxes, helps muscles/sleep).
B1 (thiamine) helps extract energy. Too many carbohydrates create B1 deficiency; fuel shunted to fat, not energy.
Symptoms: nervous energy/tension, lactic acid buildup (affects breathing, acidic pH).
Suspect if fatigue after refined carbs/sugar.
After correcting diet: allithiamine (from garlic).
Lack of sun causes fatigue. Over 50% of sun's energy is infrared, goes into mitochondria for more energy.
People inside/computers/artificial light are tired. Vitamin D deficiency: lethargic, apathetic, inflammation/pain in lower back radiating to hips/thighs, pelvic discomfort/achiness.
Mold allergies cause immune reaction draining energy.
Inflammation in general (e.g., autoimmune) makes tired. Increase vitamin D to 20-30,000 IU daily with K2 and magnesium.
Immune system overworking drains energy: unwell, brain fog, low tolerance to bright lights/loud sounds/stress.
Remedies: NAC (precursor to glutathione for liver), vitamin D3, magnesium glycinate, zinc, coenzyme Q10.
Mitochondria depend on amino acids (not fuel issue). Need amino acids for enzymes, antioxidants, repair, muscles/tendons/ligaments.
Affects brain (feels toxic, tired), post-exercise fatigue, no endurance.
Solution: high-quality animal protein like red meat with every meal, lower carb.
Adrenal glands (on kidneys) react to stress. Dragging all day, nap craving 3:30-4:00 PM, wake up at night—backwards circadian rhythm. Crave salt.
Solutions:
- More sea salt calms adrenals, improves sleep.
- Electrolyte powder with potassium (overactive adrenals deplete it).
- Ashwagandha regularly.
- Long walks/hikes in nature without cell phone (not high-intensity exercise before bed).
Getting more sleep is top for energy. Watch video on sleep.
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