Six Steps to More Energy and Less Fatigue
Written by Dr. Nalini Chilkov
If you are feeling fatigued due to cancer treatments or tired and wired due to stress here are the keys to nourishing sustained energy and vitality. You can have more energy and less fatigue.
Eat Enough Protein
Remember, that a lot of people who try to eat a healthier diet cut out or cut down on red meat and animal proteins, which is a good idea as eating a primarily plant based diet does reduce cancer risk. But a protein poor diet puts you at risk as well.
Be sure you are getting plenty of protein daily from healthy sources. At least 60 grams daily (3 4 oz servings) or more if you are undergoing chemotherapy or have lost weight and muscle. (Be sure to check with your doctor first.
Manage InflammationExcess Inflammation can make you tired and increases your risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes and depression.
Support normal inflammation control by cooking with tumeric and eating an anti-inflammatory diet that includes healthy fats and oils and plenty of fresh vegetables.
Consider enhancing normal inflammation function with supplements such as Curcumin, Omega 3 fish oils (EPA DHA), Milk Thistle, Ginger, Ganoderma, Feverfew, Sulphoraphanes (check with your doctor first).
Avoid Toxic Exposures and Reduce Your Body Burden: Do A Cleanse(only under the supervision of a professional health care provider and with your doctorís approval and not DURING your treatment. Do consider a supervised cleanse AFTER your toxic treatments). Both during and after cancer treatments, you want to cultivate the lifelong habit of reducing your exposures to all toxic substances. This applies to all of us! Toxic exposures are the number one cause of increasing rates of cancer and fatigue.
If your body is carrying a burden of toxic environmental chemicals (BPA, pthalates, solvents, volatile chemicals, excess drug use, preservatives, colorings, pesticides, chemical dyes, chemicals from cosmetics and body care products) or heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic for example) this could be at the root of fatigue.
Ask your health care provider to test you for heavy metals and assess you for toxic exposures.
Examine your home, your diet, your work place, your hobbies, your personal care products, your garden as the source of toxic exposures. Start transforming your home and work place into chemical free, toxin free, safe environments. Do a medically supervised whole body cleanse every spring and fall, or even better once per season (four times per year).
Avoid Exposures to Allergens Are there foods you are eating that you that cause immune reactions? Find out. Inhalants such Dust, pollen, grasses, animal hair and molds as well foods such as wheat, gluten, cowís milk dairy products, eggs and soy and well as many environmental chemicals and food additives can trigger allergic reactions that contribute to fatigue.
MoveAre you too sedentary? Lack of physical activity can actually make you tired? You need to move to oxygenate your body and brain and get your circulation going so that your kidneys and liver filter toxins and your digestive tract and bowels eliminate normally. (check with your doctor first).
Make Sure You Get Enough Magnesium and Potassium.Both minerals are depleted during stress and during chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Unsweetened coconut water is a good source. All green leafy vegetables are rich in both minerals. If you donít eat 8-10 servings of vegetables daily consider supplementation with a concentrated organic greens powder and a magnesium supplement.
Although both oranges and bananas are rich in potassium I generally recommend other sources due to their high glycemic qualities leading to higher blood sugar and insulin levels. It is important to eat low glycemic, low sugar foods which trigger the hormone insulin, which promotes tumor growth. Lower blood sugar, lower blood insulin is essential to an anti-cancer physiology.
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Dr. Nalini Chilkov, L.Ac., O.M.D. is a leading edge authority in the field of Integrative Cancer Care, Cancer Prevention and Immune Enhancement. She is the Founder of IntegrativeCancerAnswers.com where she offers online programs and resources that empower and transform. Dr. Chilkov brings over 30 years of clinical experience combining the best of Modern Functional Medicine with the ancient wisdom of Traditional Oriental and Natural Healing. She is a highly respected expert in her field, a frequent speaker at conferences, educational institutions and a trusted resource to the media.
