Exhausted? 8 Natural Ways To Overcome Chronic Fatigue For Good

We live in a society of extreme exhaustion. According to the Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 million to 4 million Americans suffer from myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome1. But it's estimated that among that demographic, less than 20 percent have been formally diagnosed.

Chronic fatigue is characterized by a number of related symptoms, including:

If you're experiencing at least four of these symptoms, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) might be to blame. But the problem with the term "chronic fatigue" is that it's really only a description of how you feel—it doesn't explain why you are fatigued in the first place.

Still, there are a few steps you can take to start rehabbing your energy levels. Here are eight tips I recommend:

What to do: Supplementing with L-arginine, alpha lipoic acid (ALA), and CoQ10 are three natural ways to help increase glutathione as well as protect and boost your mitochondria and the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), your cell's high-energy fuel.

What to do: Talk to your health care practitioner about supplementing with BCAA to fight fatigue. A typical daily dose of BCAAs is around 20 to 30 grams of the three combined amino acids one to three times per day.

What to do: I recommend having labs done to evaluate your gut health. Research suggests that probiotics such as bifidobacterium and lactobacillus can improve microbiome health3. Bone broth is rich in collagen and glutamine, which are both helpful in supporting the gut. Bone broth is also rich in glycine, which has also been shown to improve brain performance and energy.

What to do: Start and end your day with mindfulness meditation. An amino acid called theanine has also been shown to improve sleep and allows you to feel rested and rejuvenated when you wake up. Low-caffeine teas like white tea or decaf green tea are great sleep-promoting options, as well.

What to do: It depends on your specific issue. Read my article on the subject for a complete list, and talk to a functional medicine practitioner for a perspective on your case.

What to do: Get labs to check your nutrient levels. If you don't already, focus on eating a nutrient-rich diet with a wide variety of whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, organic meats, and healthy fats.

What to do: In addition to getting tested for underlying infections, consider blends of Siberian ginseng, samento, sarsaparilla, guaiacum, astragalus, resveratrol, and cat's claw for their immune-strengthening properties.

As you can see, while there isn't one single cause or solution to chronic fatigue syndrome, there are a number of ways to help your body overcome symptoms. Overall each step centers around promoting total health and well-being for your body.