Do you ever feel completely exhausted at the start of the week, even after a calm and rested weekend? Most of us tend to attribute general fatigue to a mixture of stress, age, and the activities of a modern, hard working life. However, recent studies in health and nutrition have suggested that there may be some factors that can contribute to a marked increase in feelings of fatigue and exhaustion.
We now know that certain foods have the potential to encourage feelings and symptoms of fatigue. This is often due to ‘hidden’ food intolerances that individuals may have to specific foods, without even knowing it. Addressing these intolerances and sensitivities is a great first step to restoring energy levels and vitality, particularly for those suffering from adrenal fatigue. We discuss this in much greater detail in the book, but here is a list of three leading culprits.
1. Dairy Products
Dairy products like milk and cheese are tremendously nutritious foods, but in those with dairy sensitivities they have also been shown to contribute to chronic fatigue. Dairy sensitivity manifests from either an allergy to casein or a more general lactose intolerance, and affects a small percentage of Caucasians but a much larger proportion of people of Mediterranean, African and Asian descent.
The digestion of dairy, or any other food that a person is allergic to, causes a great deal of extra stress on the body. The immune system fights against it, resulting in inflammation that can range from joint pain to headaches to a swelling in the small intestine. And it is this swelling in the small intestine that hinders digestion and the effective processing of nutrients. When sensitivities like this impair our ability to get the nutrients we need from our food, we are left tired, unenthusiastic and lacking in energy.
2. Wheat
Wheat is a foodstuff that, whilst being very addictive, can cause cravings and mood swings. Gluten is most often the allergen when it comes to wheat sensitivity, and though scientists have yet to pin point the exact reason, gluten has been intrinsically linked to causing high levels of fatigue in those who have an intolerance. Some believe the exhaustion is a consequence of the malnutrition that comes with a severe gluten problem like celiac disease, or in individuals who suffer from anemia and are not on a gluten free diet.
3. The Nightshade Family
Another very common food group that has been linked to severe fatigue include the fruits and vegetables belonging to the nightshade family. These include popular items such as tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, eggplants, gooseberries and even tobacco. If you are suffering with fatigue and exhaustion and are aware that you are specifically allergic to one of these foods, then it is highly likely that you are sensitive to some or all of the other foods within the family.
These constant and debilitating feelings of fatigue and exhaustion can be managed and helped in many different ways, but one of the first things to examine should always be food intolerances and sensitivities.
My adrenal crashes come about when I have exerted myself physically and/or mentally and involves profuse sweating in addition to the tiredness to the point I have to lie down and close my eyes.
Do you think mine is more than the normal chronic fatigue syndrome. This also happens when I’ve taken my Provigil and the sweating is so profuse it begins to delete my Fentanyl patch much faster than 48 hrs.
Thank you and I’m willing to be a participant in any study for a drug help if possible.
Hi Judy its really tough to say without seeing your lab tests and other details. My book contains lots of information about the dietary and lifestyle changes that you should be making to restore your energy levels. I would also consider seeing an integrative doctor to get your hormone levels and other metrics checked out.
I know I am intolerant to milk, but still eat it. Could this be causing me to fatigued?
If you know you are intolerant, then yes it could certainly be causing your fatigue. Try cutting dairy out of your diet for a month and see how you feel!
Is butter on toast enough to cause a fatigue reaction?
Hi Mark, no small meal like that really shouldn’t cause a fatigue reaction. The amount of butter that you put on a slice of toast is pretty small. If you think you have a dairy sensitivity, cut out all dairy for a while and see if you feel an improvement.
Yes, Fawne, toast can definitely make you feel extremely tired and fatigued. It happens to me every morning. That’s why I switched to boxty and a gluten free breakfast pudding. Even an egg can do it.
Definitely Mark, I’m right there with you on that. Try boxty, it’s a potato product that some butchers do. You can toast it and use it as a toast depending on the style it comes in.
Hey, do you ship to the uk? I would really like to get your basics package, I feel what you describe is me to a T. I am gluten intolerant, and 90% better since cutting it completely from my diet, however my energy levels still really fluctuate, and I can be really irritable. I would love to find out how cutting dairy and some veggies out could help. Many thanks, Emma
Hi Emma! The materials that Fawne has created come in ebook form, audio files and videos. You can access them all immediately through the website after your purchase 🙂
Have any of you had your cortisol levels checked and other hormones like aldosterone ?
You really need to start there to know exactly what is going on! !!
Don’t go putting things in or cutting out thing for your body until you know for sure the source of your symptoms!
(I learned this the hard way)
Find yourself a GOOD knowledgable endocrine Dr before you “self treat ” from the Internet!