Patient Question: What Do I Do About Fatigue?

Many people are chronically fatigued. There are many causes for this fatigue, such as lifestyle related or people who have a chronic illness or syndromes. A syndrome is a collection of symptoms that are related to a particular condition - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a good example. Fatigue can vary from mild to severe, especially when taking into account Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Most (not all) of our patients try to eat properly, get enough rest, and exercise.  And yet, many have the complaint of being tired most of the time.

What to do?

Most people commonly reach for the stimulants to combat fatigue: high caffeine drinks,coffee, smoking and sugar (or high carb foods). While I LOVE coffee and it is good for you (coffee as we all know comes from a bean that is a powerful anti-oxidant). Yet if you HAVE to have a triple espresso with three packets sugar, then there might be a problem.

Enter B12, why most people should consider it as a daily regimen for good health.

B vitamins are essential components in most metabolic reactions as they play a role in energy production, AND (which is exciting) the metabolism of lipids (FAT LOSS), carbohydrates, and proteins. Vitamin B12 facilitates energy production and is required for nucleic acid (DNA - which builds and repairs YOU), and (the best reason to take B12) normal myelin synthesis of your nervous system. Myelin is the protective covering of nerves, which is vital for great health.

How to get more of B12? Sources of B12 are:

• The best is Nutri- Dose b12 10,000mcg daily
• able 2: Selected Food Sources of Vitamin B12 [13]
  FoodMicrograms (mcg)
  per servingPercent DV*
  Clams, cooked, 3 ounces84.11,402
  Liver, beef, cooked, 3 ounces70.71,178
  Breakfast cereals, fortified with 100% of the DV for vitamin B12,
  1 serving6.0100Trout, rainbow, wild, cooked, 3 ounces5.490Salmon, sockeye, cooked, 3 ounces4.880Trout, rainbow, farmed, cooked, 3 ounces3.558Tuna fish, light, canned in water, 3 ounces2.542Cheeseburger, double patty and bun, 1 sandwich2.135Haddock, cooked, 3 ounces1.830Breakfast cereals, fortified with 25% of the DV for vitamin B12, 1 serving1.525Beef, top sirloin, broiled, 3 ounces1.423Milk, low-fat, 1 cup1.218Yogurt, fruit, low-fat, 8 ounces1.118Cheese, Swiss, 1 ounce0.915Beef taco, 1 soft taco0.915Ham, cured, roasted, 3 ounces0.610Egg, whole, hard boiled, 1 large0.610Chicken, breast meat, roasted, 3 ounces0.35

  *DV = Daily Value. DVs were developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help consumers determine the level of various nutrients in a standard serving of food in relation to their approximate requirement for it. The DV for vitamin B12 is 6.0 mcg. However, the FDA does not require food labels to list vitamin B12 content unless a food has been fortified with this nutrient. Foods providing 20% or more of the DV are considered to be high sources of a nutrient, but foods providing lower percentages of the DV also contribute to a healthful diet. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Nutrient Database Web site [13]) lists the nutrient content of many foods and provides a comprehensive list of foods containing vitamin B12 arranged by nutrient content and by food name.

Who needs to supplement B12 and what type of supplement is BEST?

• If you are a vegetarian, as you can see B12 comes from MEAT
• If you are dragging your butt, then take B12
• If you are a senior
• If you have stomach problems that require you take acid reducing medications.

Type or form of B12 supplement should be?

• Liquid form ONLY, all other forms are inferior and do not provide the value for your money.

My 2 cents...

If you are tired, take B12 liquid supplement and eat more of the foods listed in this chart. You can get the b12 supplement anywhere, AND the BEST is found at my office, plus you also get my knowledge 24/7 as your trusted adviser. In addition, if I do not know the answer I am connected to many very smart doctors in many professions that can offer the insight that I can share with you. At no fee, when you are a patient or friend of the practice.

Have a GREAT Day!

Dr. Chris

About Dr. Chris Chase

Dr. Chris Chase is a Doctor of chiropractic, a recognized speaker in his field, and the owner of Advanced Chiropractic in West Hartford CT. Dr. Chase focuses on an area of Chiropractic called Structural Correction and has been in practice 15 years. A supporter of Cross Fit as well as all Olympic Lifting and Power Lifting.

You may reach Dr. Chase at advancedwesthartford@gmail.com or call 860.523.5465 and you may follow Dr. Chase on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/advancedwesthartford1)