In my experience with clients 80% of fatigue is caused by very stressed Adrenal glands. These glands sit on top of our kidneys. Sometimes we can feel pain in the middle and upper back which can be caused by the over-activity in these glands. Our Adrenal glands are mostly stressed by overwork, worry and lack of sleep. In stress mode, these glands excrete a great amount of potassium (also B-5 is greatly utilized). Additionally greater depletion occurs if we perspire due to extensive exercise or athletic competitions. Unless we are aware, most people do not replenish potassium in the correct amounts.
Potassium is an essential alkaline base forming mineral. It nurtures and activates muscles and organs. It controls the internal fluid of the cells. Potassium is also a very important mineral for the heart muscle and to regulate blood pressure (sodium has been erroneously blamed for high blood pressure; it is deficient potassium). Ultimately, physical fatigue begins to set in. The fatigue could just be concentrated in the leg muscles (weakness) or it can be an overall lethargy.
Another consequence of moderate to extreme potassium deficiency is the sensitivity to dairy products. People report feeling sick to their stomach, excessive gas or diarrhea. As soon as the potassium deficiency is resolved the dairy sensitivity is also resolved.
To experiment and discover if your fatigue (or dairy sensitivity) is related to deficient potassium, try increasing your potassium intake by 1000 mg per day for the next 7-10 days. If you notice increased energy and less fatigue, then you were deficient. Therefore, continue potassium intake.
To increase potassium you can do one of the following or a combination to equal 1000 mg of potassium per day:
- Drink at least two 8 oz glasses of pineapple juice (with banana even better). About 600 mg of potassium.
- Drink at least two 8 oz glasses of carrot juice. About 800 mg of potassium
- Large banana has about 275 mg of potassium
- Alfalfa capsules (I use Nature’s Sunshine product…see Health Analysis page for more info.) Take 3 capsules per day (with meal). About 1000 mg of potassium
If potassium is suspected to be low because of extreme stress, orange juice (though high in potassium) and lemonade should be avoided until Adrenal glands are balanced (Adrenals depletes B-5 and causes a sensitivity to citrus). Increasing potassium is a “quick fix” when the root of the issue are the Adrenal glands, until that is resolved this simple elevation of potassium can make a big difference on the level of fatigue.
Other causes for fatigue could be low blood sugar, deficient vitamin B12, hypothyroid or hormone imbalances.
I invite you to share your story if you get results.
Note: Do note take Alfalfa if you are on a blood thinner or you have kidney issues. Those that have kidney disease should avoid extra potassium.
"Your Soul's Plan" by Robert Schwartz
I started drinking Pineapple Juice today so we’ll see how I feel in a couple of weeks. What is mentioned here about the pain in mid/upper back could be what I may be experiencing – brought on by the stressed adrenal gland (which you have pointed out to me in the past). I will definitely keep you posted.
Gerri, make sure that you ingest about 1000 mg of potassium per day. So you may need to take two packets of the emergen-c drink (low on calories and sugar) or have two bananas per day to equal out the 1000 mg per day.