Terminally Tired.

Terminally tired.

Turkey is on our brains and bellies right now, as we wave bye-bye to the Thanksgiving holiday and get ready to welcome the Christmas holidays, turkey is the main protein for many from Nov 27th to Jan 1st.  It is said that tryptophan, an amino acid naturally found in turkey, causes us to feel sleepier and more tired than we usually would. Apparently it’s actually not the case, according to How Stuff Works “nutritionists and other experts say that the tryptophan in turkey probably won’t trigger the body to produce more seroton¬in because tryptophan works best on an empty stomach. The tryptophan in a Thanksgiving turkey has to vie with all the other amino acids that the body is trying to use. So only part of the tryptophan makes it to the brain to help produce serotonin.” that’s fine, I am still going to blame the tryptophan, but what of the ther 11 months of the year? My brain fogs and general forgetfulness seem to be a daily battle.  After one more afternoon of slugging my way past 4 pm, I decided to do a little research on ways to beat those afternoon, morning, and early evening blues without just losing the turkey.

Always first and foremost on every list is water, always water, water, water. Drink, drink, drink.  It is like a broken record, 8 ounces of water at least 8 times a day. “If you’re looking for a little pick-me-up, don’t reach for your usual double espresso. Instead try drinking two glasses of water. The caffeine in coffee and soda may temporarily make you feel more alert, but in the long run will make you even more tired by dehydrating your muscles and constricting your blood vessels.” Brainz.

Puzzles: Who knew, spending an afternoon with Soduku doesn’t just make everyone around you think you are smart; in the long run it actually may make you so! Or at least stave off the effects of dementia or Alzheimer’s. Brainz: “Studies with dementia patients have shown that playing word games and puzzles can increase and even restore mental cognitive abilities. The crossword, a pub quiz, or Soduku: all these fun activities can keep your grey matter in the pink. And the best part is that you don’t actually need to know anything. This is one instance where winning doesn’t matter, because your brain responds to the attempt to solve the problem, not the knowledge stored in your head. Probably the best brain games are those with strategic goals like Chess, Risk, and Stratego, as the objectives are in a constant flux, and require more activity from the brain.”

Exercise: Always on the list with water. Send oxygen to your brain, exercise your heart muscles, expand your lungs, and your body responds with renewed energy. Aim for 30 minutes a day, even if you are just taking a walk with the dog.

What are you taking? Check those medicines your doctor prescribed for you. Some medications, particularly anti-depressants or anti-anxiety pills, are known to cause tiredness and fogginess as a side-effect of their use. However, it could be the way the medicine affects just you not the general population, or it could be an interaction with something you are already taking. Check the report your pharmacist gives you, or get online to the manufacturers website. If you noticed the symptoms after you started a new medication or even added a medication this may be your problem.

Eat right, that means healthy, fresh fruit, veggies, protein. Your brain consumes about 20 percent of the body’s energy, and you get energy from food. If you put the wrong fuel in your body, your body’s not going to work properly. In general, try avoiding sugar and sugar-containing products, particularly those high-fructose corn syrup sodas and sweets, but also white bread, pasta, and white rice, which are the most common culprits related to brain fog. These over processed, pre-packaged foods are metabolized very quickly which will cause a spike in our blood sugar, but then it will drop rapidly, this cycle naturally makes you tired which has a side-effect we think of as brain fog. It can also lead to additional health complications such as diabetes and obesity.

Try peppermint. Keep peppermints in your pocket or on your desk. Many of us know that peppermint is good for a stomach upset and can even freshen the breath (thank you Altoids) — for a little while, anyway. Now scientists in the U.S. are claiming that it also increases alertness by as much as one-third. More, it reduces tiredness by 15%, they say. Peppermint is obviously an herb you should have on your shelf, not to mention a box of mint teabags.

Fish oil: These fatty acids keep the dopamine levels in the brain high, increase neuronal growth in the frontal cortex of the brain, and increase cerebral circulation. Which is a complicated way of saying that fatty acids make your brain work at top efficiency, kinda like a tune-up. But before you stockpile your pantry with tuna, remember that eating large amounts of fish can put you at risk to toxins and mercury poisoning. So it’s better to get EPA and DHA from alternative sources and supplements. Brainz

Sleep: You have to sleep to function, the less sleep the more irritable, and tired, you feel. You are likely to be moody and experience gross impairment of brain function which will include reduced reasoning and lack of judgment. Children who do not sleep often have behavioral problems and developmental delays. Adults should aim for 8 hours of sleep every night, children need between 8 and 12 hours depending on their age.

Make an adjustment: Stay Alert ~ Stay healthy ~ Be Happy.

Call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan at 303.674.1500 or email office@fontanachiro.com
Fontana Family Chiropractic, Evergreen, Colorado.

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