We are in an energy crisis of a different kind. It’s not electrical energy, or petrochemical energy, but it is fuel. The body’s fuel. It is very unusual for someone to come into my office and have all the energy they need to go about their day. The complaint is always the same – “I’m so tired!” or “I don’t have any energy”, “I’m exhausted all the time”, “I have no motivation to do anything”, “I run out of gas by afternoon”, “I need more naps”, etc., etc.
Why are we so tired? Why do we have such an energy crisis? As with energy crisis’ of all forms – whether global or in your body, the cause is the same. We run out of resources. We run out of resources for the same reasons as well. We continually use them up, without replacing them at least to the proportions we utilize them. As with our global resources, the body’s resources have to be replenished. There is no form of energy that is infinite (except in Heaven).
When we run out of resources, typically, we run after quick solutions. These quick solutions, although they work well at the time, do nothing to restore our resources, our reserves, and eventually become more of the problem than the solution. For example, we drink coffee or energy drinks to give us a lift. Initially, they work well – we get that added lift. It wakes us up, makes our brains more clear (so we think – research shows that to be a false illusion), and we feel like we have more energy to go about our day. But eventually, that no longer works. So we just ramp it up. We get stronger coffee drinks, or add more energy drinks or sodas to our day. The problem seems solved. Some research shows that caffeine is beneficial (follow the money on the studies and the truth becomes clearer), but clinical experience shows quite the opposite. These drinks that amp you up, interfere with proper function and over time actually make you more tired. Then other means are tried, including antidepressants. Much of the time fatigue is labeled depression and anti-depressants are prescribed. On the surface that seems to help, however, the energy resources are all the while becoming more and more depleted.
Another way of coping with energy loss is sugar. Sugar is consumed in a variety of ways. The overt sugars such as candy, cookies, ice cream, gelatin desserts, puddings, pies, etc. are one way. Most people today say they try to avoid these sugars, but try as we may, they still find their way into our diet as we try to amp the energy up. Other forms of sugar include a high carbohydrate diet, or eating snack foods frequently. They may seem on the surface to be healthier, but they too add up. They are quick fuel for the cells. A way of looking at this would be like building a fire. To build a fire, you need kindling. It assists in building a fire quickly. Then to sustain the fire, you add a large log. The larger the log, the bigger and longer lasting the fire becomes. Sugar (carbohydrates) is the kindling that gets the fire started. Protein and good fats are the log. If you want good, sustainable energy, you need protein and some healthy fats. That means you have to eat a descent meal.
Cells need an energy source to burn the mitochondria (the power plants in the cells). Carbohydrates are the fuel that is needed. However, we need it in the proper proportions.
Alcohol is another way people add fuel to the fire as a means of coping with poor energy. Not that that is the direct thought process. But alcohol makes them feel better. But what sugar is to a fire, alcohol is the gasoline poured on the fire! A fast, hot burn that doesn’t last, but leaves them feeling like they need more. It is one of the causes of alcoholism. It is an imbalance in the blood sugar in the cells.
Many times this energy crisis requires even worse measures than sugar to get a lift. As we feel more and more exhausted, we use other means to help us feel alive. We use the above methods (sugar and caffeine) to give us an adrenaline lift, or we use another method used to give us this adrenaline lift – thrill. We watch thrilling movies with high drama and intense scenes, we ride on thrill rides like rollercoaster’s and worse, in order to cause this adrenaline rush. It helps us feel alive and energized, even if that’s not the conscious thought behind it. When our adrenals become too weak, this adrenaline rush is too much and those people avoid those activities. We also play high intensity video games and watch reality and crime shows with much excitement. When all else fails we turn to pornography or criminal acts to help feel alive.
This energy crisis is devastating more than our natural resources. It’s divesting our society. If we don’t get a handle on it, who knows what’s next? So what can we do to turn our energy around? Heal the body. Eat wholesome natural foods from the land (not from a box), that will help restore some vitality to the cells. If we continue to eat dead foods, we can’t expect the body to make healthy alive cells. Death begets death, life begets life. It is natures way. If we flood the body with overly stimulating foods and drinks we will over-stimulate the body to exhaustion. What goes up, must come down. It’s the law of nature. If you want the body to support you, energy wise and health wise, you have to support it. You have to give it what it needs. If you need help doing this, seek the services of a professional trained in working with nature to restore your energy resources. Drugs won’t do it. Action will. Take action today to restore your health, and have the energy you need to do the fun things in life, as well as the necessary day-to-day tasks.
© 2008 Holly A. Carling, O.M.D., L.Ac., Ph.D.
