Shake Off Winter Fatigue For Good

The winter’s short, cold days can make getting out of bed in the morning harder than ever—and getting through the day can be even tougher when your energy levels are at an all-time low. Obviously, sleeping straight through to spring isn’t an option… but if seasonal sluggishness is slowing you down, there are plenty of other ways to give your body the extra boost it needs to function at its peak all year long.

The key is to feed your energy stores at their source—and you can start by nourishing your body’s cellular power centers, called mitochondria. These structures are responsible for generating a basic form of energy called adenosine triphosphate (ATP), while participating in cell signaling and the regulation of cellular growth cycles. Free radicals are a natural byproduct of these essential processes, which your body is well equipped to handle with a variety of antioxidant enzymes. But when these enzymes begin to plummet, as often happens with age, mitochondrial function can be compromised—and your ATP production and energy levels can take a nosedive as a result.^1-4

Luckily, the solution to this problem is simple: Optimize mitochondrial function with key nutrients and antioxidant support.⁵ Critical energy-supporting compounds include carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine, both of which are powerful antioxidants and essential to ATP synthesis. Research shows that higher levels of these nutrients are linked to higher functional capacity and overall improvements in energy levels.^6-8

Supplementing with lipoic acid and n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) can offer additional defense against free radical damage and common, everyday fatigue. Studies indicate that lipoic acid enhances mitochondrial function by reinforcing DNA structure, while decreasing levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS)—especially in combination with acetyl-l-carnitine.^9-11 NAC, on the other hand, protects mitochondrial proteins while stimulating their activity, thereby boosting the efficiency of these cellular power centers’ energy production.^12-14

A natural sugar called D-ribose can also deliver critical energy support, serving as a building block of ATP. Research shows that supplementation can accelerate ATP synthesis by more than 4-fold—positively influencing everything from energy levels and minor aches and pains to sleep quality and mental clarity.^15-17

Getting a handle on energy-sapping stress is another key facet of fighting fatigue—and “adaptogens” can play a crucial role in strengthening your body’s natural defenses. Panax ginseng, for example, has been shown to directly influence the HPA axis, while delivering antioxidant protection and balancing inflammatory responses.^18-19 Eleutherococcus senticosus is another adaptogenic botanical, which can maximize endurance and oxygen metabolism while inhibiting stress-related cortisol release—and Rhodiola rosea remains among the most bioactive of these adaptogens, able to improve both physical and mental energy levels, as well as libido and sleep quality.^20-22 You can find all of these energy-nourishing nutrients available as part of CP’s adaptogenic formula Ginseng Plus.

Finally, you can’t go wrong with an extra dose of vitamin B12, or methylcobalamin. This well-known energy booster is a clinically demonstrated ally to anyone concerned about common, everyday fatigue—while offering additional support for longer, more restful sleep, sharper concentration and overall rejuvenation.^23-24 You can find methylcobalamin, the special bioavailable form of vitamin B12, as a liquid supplement available from Complementary Prescriptions®.

References:

1. Cortopassi GA, Wong A. Mitochondria in organismal aging and degeneration. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1999 Feb 9;1410(2):183-93.

2. Wei YH, Lee HC. Oxidative stress, mitochondrial DNA mutation, and impairment of antioxidant enzymes in aging. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2002 Oct;227(9):671-82.

3. Pieczenik SR, Neustadt J. Mitochondrial dysfunction and molecular pathways of disease. Exp Mol Pathol. 2007 Aug;83(1):84-92.

4. Nicolson GL. Metabolic syndrome and mitochondrial function: molecular replacement and antioxidant supplements to prevent membrane peroxidation and restore mitochondrial function. J Cell Biochem. 2007 Apr 15;100(6):1352-69.

5. Nicolson GL, Conklin KA. Reversing mitochondrial dysfunction, fatigue and the adverse effects of chemotherapy of metastatic disease by molecular replacement therapy. Clin Exp Metastasis. 2008;25(2):161-9.

6. Plioplys AV, Plioplys S. Serum levels of carnitine in chronic fatigue syndrome: clinical correlates. Neuropsychobiology. 1995;32(3):132-8.

7. Carvajal K, Moreno-Sanchez R. Heart metabolic disturbances in cardiovascular diseases. Arch Med Res. 2003;34:89-99.

8. Kuratsune H, Yamaguti K, Takahashi M, et al. Acylcarnitine deficiency in chronic fatigue syndrome. Clin Infect Dis. 1994 Jan;18 Suppl 1:S62-7.

9. McCarty MF, Barroso-Aranda J, Contreras F. The “rejuvenatory” impact of lipoic acid on mitochondrial function in aging rats may reflect induction and activation of PPAR-gamma coactivator-1alpha. Med Hypotheses. 2009 Jan;72(1):29-33.

10. Hagen TM, Ingersoll RT, Lykkesfeldt J, et al. (R)-alpha-lipoic acid-supplemented old rats have improved mitochondrial function, decreased oxidative damage, and increased metabolic rate. FASEB J. 1999 Feb;13(2):411-8.

11. Liu J. The effects and mechanisms of mitochondrial nutrient alpha-lipoic acid on improving age-associated mitochondrial and cognitive dysfunction: an overview. Neurochem Res. 2008 Jan;33(1):194-203.

12. Banaclocha MM. Therapeutic potential of N-acetylcysteine in age-related mitochondrial neurodegenerative diseases. Med Hypotheses. 2001 Apr;56(4):472-7.

13. Nicoletti VG, Marino VM, Cuppari C, et al. Effect of antioxidant diets on mitochondrial gene expression in rat brain during aging. Neurochem Res. 2005 Jun-Jul;30(6-7):737-52.

14. Cocco T, Sgobbo P, Clemente M, et al. Tissue-specific changes of mitochondrial functions in aged rats: effect of a long-term dietary treatment with N-acetylcysteine. Free Radic Biol Med. 2005 Mar 15;38(6):796-805.

15. Hellsten Y, Skadhauge L, Bangsbo J. Effect of Ribose Supplementation on Resynthesis of Adenine Nucleotides after Intermittent Training in Humans. AM J Physiol, Regul Intergr Comp Physiol. 2004;286:R182-R188.

16. Seifert JG, Subhudi A, Fu M-X, et al. The Effects of Ribose Ingestion on Indicies or Free Radical Production During Hypoxic Exercise. Free Rad Biol Med. 2002;33(Suppl 1):S269.

17. Teitelbaum JE, Johnson C, St Cyr J. The use of D-ribose in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia: a pilot study. J Altern Complement Med. 2006;12(9):857-62.

18. Hiai S, Yokoyama H, Oura H, et al. Stimulation of pituitary-adrenocortical system by ginseng saponin. Endocrinol Jpn. 1979 Dec;26(6):661-5.

19. Radad K, Gille G, Liu L, et al. Use of ginseng in medicine with emphasis on neurodegenerative disorders. J Pharmacol Sci. 2006 Mar;100(3):175-86.

20. Asano K, Takahashi T, Miyashita M, et al. Effect of Eleutheroccocus senticosus Extract on Human Physical Working Capacity. Planta Med. 1986 Jun;52(3):175-7.

21. Kimura Y, Sumiyoshi M. Effects of various Eleutherococcus senticosus cortex on swimming time, natural killer activity and corticosterone level in forced swimming stressed mice. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Dec;95(2-3):447-53.

22. Fintelmann V, Gruenwald J. Efficacy and tolerability of a Rhodiola rosea extract in adults with physical and cognitive deficiencies. Adv Ther. 2007 Jul-Aug;24(4):929-39.

23. Ellis FR, Nasser S. A pilot study of vitamin B12 in the treatment of tiredness. Br J Nutr. 1973;30:277-83.

24. Mayer G, Kröger M, Meier-Ewert K. Effects of vitamin B12 on performance and circadian rhythm in normal subjects. Neuropsychopharmacology. 1996 Nov;15(5):456-64.