Hurting Foods | My Healing Kitchen

A Perfect Coenzyme Q10!

The answer to your loss of energy could be an enzyme with a quirky name. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) affects the mitochondria’s electron transportation system, and makes sure cells produce energy with efficiency. (Mitochondria are the cellular structures responsible for giving your cells zip.) A small study published in the journal Nutritionfound that CoQ10 alleviated symptoms of fatigue. It’s hard to get CoQ10 from the diet,...

NADH Gives You a Boost

If you’ve got chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a small molecule may be the key to giving you the big kick you need to get through your day. The part of a cell that produces energy is called mitochondria (otherwise known as the powerhouse of the cell), and Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). It seems that taking in a little extra NADH in supplement form can give your cells—and you—an extra bit of energy. In a...

Give Booze the Boot

Alcohol is on the “no-no” list for fatigue sufferers for the same reasons that refined carbohydrates are. Both cause a surge in blood-sugar levels that affect your energy. You might be quite aware that the piece of cake you are eating is delivering a truckload of sugar into your bloodstream. Though the sugars in alcohol are less obvious, they deliver the same kind of blood-sugar altering affects. Why do you want to keep...

Trade Your Wine For Water

Fermented foods such as wine and cheese may be a party staple, but they shouldn’t be in your pantry if your battling adrenal fatigue. Such foods may produce a compound that causes the adrenals to release its fight-or-flight hormones, called catecholamines. Keep your over-taxed adrenals calm and don’t indulge in wine and cheese. Also avoid pickled foods and mushrooms. If you are looking for tasty party fare, try fresh...

Pinpoint the Potassium

When you need energy, instinct may lead you to eat or drink something to give you a little zip. But sometimes finding your get-up-and-go is not about what you put into your diet, but what you take out. Potassium, for instance. In the case of adrenal fatigue, low levels of the hormone aldosterone create an imbalance in the sodium-potassium ratio of the body, resulting in too much potassium and too little sodium. An excess of...

Say the Sweetest Goodbye to Aspartame

If you are tired all the time, you might think about reaching for a can of diet cola, but beware—aspartame works against your energy levels. Aspartame may seem like a great deal, letting you satisfy your sweet tooth without the guilt of empty calories, but all that glitters is not gold—especially if you struggle with exhaustion. The chemically synthesized sweetener known by such brand names as NutraSweet, Equal,...

Kick the Caffeine Habit

It may seem like caffeine would be a great ally in the fight against fatigue. But that is far from the truth. A cup of joe can contain between 30 to 150 mg of caffeine. It’s a drug that strongly affects the body, and while it does have some beneficial effects, it can wreak havoc on your energy levels. Avoid the caffeine crash. Caffeine stimulates the pituitary glads to produce a hormone that revs up adrenaline. One of the...

Control Your Carbs

If you are suffering from chronic fatigue, one of the best things you can do is stay away from refined carbohydrates. People who suffer from adrenal fatigue, in particular, seem to have a lower tolerance for carbohydrates and need more protein. Penne is not your pal. If you like to chow down on spaghetti for lunch, expect a nap attack in the afternoon. Carb-heavy meals cause a spike in blood sugar that may give you energy at...

Stay Away From Sugar

If you are battling chronic fatigue, it’s important to know about foods that deplete your energy. Sugar is a major culprit. Avoid the rush. When we’re tired, we often go for quick-fix energy boosters—sugary sweets like doughnuts and pastries. The problem with these goodies is that they cause energy levels to spike quickly, and while the “sugar rush” may be stimulating and pleasurable, the crash that inevitably...

Steer Clear of Caffeine Crashes

You drink coffee for the energy hit, right? But over the long term, coffee is an energy thief. With this addictive brew, flight-or fight-hormones like adrenaline are forced into your blood stream, depleting the very adrenal glands that are so critical to healing fatigue. Caffeine adds a dash of insomnia and anxiety, which stresses your adrenals even more, and then dumps in toxic homocysteine, elevated levels of which are...

Food Allergies Fan Fatigue

Feeling tired and struggling with “jelly belly?” Food allergies may be to blame. It’s critical to remove any foods from your diet that trigger allergies. This is particularly important for those suffering from fatigue, because the histamine released in your system after eating allergens weakens the immune system, causes inflammation, and triggers the release of cortisol, the stress hormone made by your adrenal...

Shake Off Sugar and Heal Fatigue

Processed sugar poisons your system. Yes, you heard me right. Manufactured sweeteners of all kinds create a toxic response in the body. They cause your blood sugar to rapidly spike and crash, weaken your immune system, deplete your body of essential nutrients, increase oxidative stress and trigger chronic systemic inflammation throughout the body, a setup for inflammatory diseases and associated fatigue. Worse, dietary sugar...

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The information on this site is intended solely for general educational purposes, and it is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before making changes to your medication program, diet, or exercise regimen. Reliance on any information provided on this site is solely at your own risk.