I remember so clearly the feeling of LOW energy after having my second child, Luke. Admittedly, the thought of taking Jake, my older son to swimming lessons with Luke or even walking upstairs was utterly exhausting to me. I was almost too tired to get my iron levels tested and I wasn’t thinking clearly enough to even think that there could be another cause. I assumed that it was normal…I had Luke at 39 after all! I was an old mom. Right?

Wrong! What I want you to know, is that this kind of low energy is NOT NORMAL! It is very important to seek help and keep digging until you get an answer to your low energy.

Energy is one of the most common reasons people come to see me at the clinic so let’s dive in and understand what could be at play.

Here’s what I think you should know when it comes to energy.

First. Take the time to nourish your Adrenal Glands

After you have ruled out other causes of low energy like low ferritin, it’s time to start looking at your adrenal glands. You may or may not know, but you have two little walnut-sized glands that sit on top of your kidneys, the adrenal glands. They are responsible for producing cortisol, the stress hormone. And they are important when it comes to energy, managing hormones and so much more. Because most people have never heard of them, they are usually not properly nourished and have become weak and less effective, especially if you are living a typical North American lifestyle of trying to do it all. THIS is one of the main reasons most people suffer from poor energy and an inability to focus. It’s often where I start with clients after other causes are ruled out.

A couple symptoms of weakened adrenals are:

• salt cravings

• wake up feeling tired (often need caffeine or sugar boost to get going)

• energy crash around 3:00 pm (reach for coffee around this time as a result)

• get a second wind after around 6:00 pm

So, here’s what you can do to give them support so that you can experience the energy you had when you were 12­ years old. Remember that?

1. Use energy supportive Herbs:

The supplement pictured below feeds your adrenals the nourishment they need to function. I often refer to this as the “Energy Supplement” because of the energy improvement people experience once they start taking it. It Includes targeted levels of Acetyl-L-carnitine, Oligonol, Ashwagandha Root Extract, and Coenzyme Q10 in a proprietary blend.

Now remember, everyone is different and this does not replace medical advice and it is recommended that you work with your doctor or favourite healthcare provider one on one.

If you were to work with me, we may explore other quality supplements for a short term boost, or single herbs like Ashwagandha which is excellent for adrenal health. This is one of the ingredients in Mito2Max. Or we may simply start with foundation supplements like the Lifelong Vitality Kit. Ashwagandha is considered an adaptogen that normalizes physiological functions that have been disturbed by stressors. It corrects imbalances in the immune system while also decreasing inflammation. Everyone is different so we’d have to explore your personal situation.

2. Adrenal Essential Oil Blend: Basil, Rosemary, Clove and Elevation.

Second. Use protein and fat for fuel (not sugar or caffeine)

When you start your day with grains or carbohydrate heavy foods, you will set the stage for a cycle of ‘up and down’ when it comes to energy and mood. Your blood sugar levels go up in response to the carbohydrate foods, your pancreas releases insulin to bring the sugar into cells, and when your sugar levels drop in your blood , your body tells you to eat! And mostly to eat carbs! Then this cycles repeats all. day. long. Even your sleep will be impacted and if you are waking at around 3:00 am…this could be an indication that you are trapped in this cycle and your blood sugar levels have dropped enough to wake you up! Also…’enter’ Belly Fat!

So, with this, my second energy tip is to eat protein and fat for your first meal of the day. Think eggs with a sprinkle of cheese or slice of avocado. Or try a protein packed smoothie. (easy on the high glycemic fruits like banana, grapes, mango and pineapple and go with berries instead). If you prefer to eat oatmeal or a warm breakfast, add nuts/seeds, protein powder, chia seeds or hemp seeds to increase the protein. Oats for breakfast is not for everyone!