Tired? Why probiotics are better than your snooze button

What’s one of the most common complaints you hear these days? “I’m tired.” You’ve probably said it yourself recently, or thought it as you nodded off at your desk during your afternoon slump. From a low energy level to “brain fog” to true autoimmune issues such as chronic fatigue syndrome, lack of energy is a […]

What’s one of the most common complaints you hear these days? “I’m tired.” You’ve probably said it yourself recently, or thought it as you nodded off at your desk during your afternoon slump. From a low energy level to “brain fog” to true autoimmune issues such as chronic fatigue syndrome, lack of energy is a big problem in today’s world.

Proper sleep is crucial, but it’s not the only answer. And you’ve probably already figured out that more caffeine isn’t going to fix this problem. So what works? Surprisingly, your digestion plays a key role in ensuring steady energy and overcoming fatigue.

When we think of digestion we think of the stomach, but it’s only one of the organs involved. Digestion also includes essential functions of the liver, gut and even the immune system – and our ability to absorb nutrients from the foods we eat affects every one of our bodily systems. In fact, poor gut health can even cause or exacerbate skin problems such as psoriasis and eczema!

Digestion and energy levels

A diet that’s high in processed foods, sugars and unhealthy fats, and low in fiber and whole foods, provides the gut with just the right environment for the wrong bacteria and yeast to grow.

What you eat, your lifestyle, and even the medications you take also have a lot of influence on your energy levels and cognitive ability:

•  Chronic inflammation is a major cause of both fatigue and “brain fog,” so it’s important to eat anti-inflammatory foods such as whole grains, sprouts, leafy green veggies and healthy fats such as olive oil, while avoiding processed foods with unhealthy fats.

• Many medications can interfere with digestion and thus with nutrient absorption and energy levels, such as antibiotics, antacids, steroids and others.

•  A zinc deficiency can cause problems with digestive enzyme function, which also prevents you from getting all the energy-boosting nutrients from your food.

•  Stress can also have an impact on your digestion, creating too much acid and changing the amount of beneficial bacteria in your gut.

While it’s important to eat healthy, anti-inflammatory foods, the best diet in the world can’t overcome fatigue unless your digestion works the way it should.

Source: Natural Wellness.com