Energy loss is defined in a number of ways. Exhaustion, lethargy, tiredness, weariness, listlessness, lassitude and fatigue are just some of the terms in common usage. All these refer to a state where the body runs out of steam.

You may lack vitality, feel drowsy, lack general interest and concentration and remain inactive.

Lack of energy may be temporary, from overexertion, or your body sending a message that it needs to rest. In a society where overwork and sleep deprivation are normal we all feel tired from time to time.

However, the lack of energy (or fatigue) referred to here is more than just a few hours of tiredness. Although it is not a disorder in itself, severe energy loss can be a symptom of disease or bodily imbalance and can occur at any age. It may be a first indication that your body is not working as it should and needs attention.

If energy loss is prolonged, no matter how much rest you take, with constant feelings of fatigue after only short bursts of activity, it is an indication of a more serious imbalance.

Nutritional deficiencies, malnutrition, malabsorption and lack of exercise all contribute greatly to energy loss, as does almost every illnesses and disease. As well as this fatigue can also be a side effect of many medications and chemical imbalances.

Nutrients

Neurons (unique cells that process and transmit information) in your brain and nervous system communicate millions of electrical messages per second. You need essential nutrients for this electrical system to work correctly. When an imbalance occurs these nutrients stop being replaced. Left uncorrected your system will overload and malfunction, nutrient levels plummet and you begin to slow down, become forgetful and of course lose energy.

Age-Related Energy Loss

The main reason for loss of energy in aging is due to the continual lack of nutrients over years of insufficient dietary practice, an inadequate lifestyle, surrounding environmental factors and years of long-term medication. These all lead to a progressive decrease in muscular strength and flexibility, immune deficiency and disease vulnerability, making your body fight harder day-by-day to remain healthy.

By adulthood your resting metabolism has already decreased by 10%. In older age, along with your oxygen intake, your metabolism continues to decrease by a further 10%. Most of your total daily energy comes from this resting metabolism, therefore nutrient intake must be sufficiently increased and/or adjusted accordingly as we age to maintain sufficient energy use.

Energy-Sappers

Many conditions list ‘lack of energy’ or ‘fatigue’ as a symptom, in fact almost all of them!…

• Respiratory disorders
• Arthritic disorders – ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis
• Mood disorders – depression, bipolar disorder
• Gastrointestinal problems – celiac disease, constipation, diarrhea
• Dehydration
• Musculoskelatal disorders – fibromyalgia Sleep disorders – insomnia
• Menopause and premenstrual syndrome
• Obesity, and, of course…
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

Many medications also list energy loss or fatigue as a side effect.

• At any one time 1 in 10 people worldwide will feel tired or lethargic.
• 20% of the population suffer intense fatigue severe enough to interfere with their daily life.
• ¼ - ½ of people visit their healthcare practitioner with low energy as a main symptom.
• Around 40% of energy loss is caused by an underlying illness or disease.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS):

• Around 1.7 million Americans currently suffer from CFS.
• CFS is 3 times more common in women than in men.

Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome: (An asymptomatic condition in which the valve separating the heart's two chambers fails to close correctly.

• An estimated 5% of the population has MVP.
• Around 40% of people with MVP experience symptoms of fatigue

Malnutrition and nutritional, chemical and hormonal deficiency go hand in hand with energy loss and are the top causes of fatigue in most cases of both physical and psychological disorders.

Vitamin and mineral deficiency, lack of exercise and stress in particular all ‘feed’ energy loss and increase pressure on your vital organs.

Common examples of conditions causing loss of energy include:

• Anemia
• Insomnia
• Allergies
• Hypothyroidism
• Depression and anxiety
• Viral or bacterial infection
• Diabetes
• Anorexia and other eating disorders
• Arthritis
• Autoimmune disease
• Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
• Colds and flu
• Pregnancy
• Hypotension
• Migraine
• Premenstrual tension
• Chest infections
• Glandular fever
• Gastrointestinal disorders.

Certain medications cause loss of energy too:

• Antihistamines
• Blood pressure medications
• Sleeping pills
• Steroids
• Diuretics
• Beta blockers
• Decongestants
• ACE inhibitors
• Heart medications
• Narcotics, and
• Muscle relaxants.

Your healthcare practitioner will begin by taking your medical history and observing your physical status (your heart health, lymph nodes and thyroid functions). He/she will likely enquire about your lifestyle and may ask about any other related physical symptoms (such as headaches, nausea or pains) and weigh this up against the duration of the fatigue.

Diagnostic tests may also be performed to help in a diagnosis. These may include blood tests and urinalyses (e.g. for anaemia, thyroid function and possible infections).

The pattern of energy loss itself usually gives away any significant problem and healthcare practitioners may rely on your presentation and severity of symptoms for their diagnosis.

Symptoms of energy loss are pretty much universal, regardless of the cause.

• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Fever
• Constipation
• Dry skin
• Intolerance to cold
• Restless, disturbed sleep
• Headaches
• Weakness
• Exhaustion
• Palpitations
• Vertigo
• Feelings of muscle weakness
• Slowed movements or central nervous system reactions
• Shortness of breath.

These are all typical symptoms.

If you are taking medications (including over-the-counter medicines) these may cause similar symptoms and drowsiness too.

Prolonged lack of energy does not have to be part of life at any age. It is not a ‘normal’ part of the aging process and does not have to be accepted as such.

As it is biologically based energy loss is both treatable and preventable.

Prescription drugs are often given to try to increase energy levels. Many treat the symptoms that are apparently causing the fatigue, but suppressing these doesn’t generally deal with the actual cause.

Also, when using conventional medications it is important to remember their potential for causing multiple side effects, some of which can be seriously detrimental to your health…for example…

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

• Naproxen
• Ibuprofen
• Piroxicam

These block cox-enzymes and reduce prostaglandins, treating inflammation and mid to medium pain and fever in conditions such as CFS and fibromyalgia.

Adverse effects include kidney damage, gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and dependency.

Low-Dose Tricyclic Antidepressants

• Doxepin
• Amitriptyline
• Dsipramine
• Nrtriptyline

These balance brain chemicals (neurotransmitters), causing depressive conditions.

Adverse reactions include dry mouth, drowsiness, weight gain and elevated heart rate.

Other Antidepressants

Including Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors:

• Fluoxetine
• Sertraline
• Paroxetine
• Venlafaxine
• Trazodone
• Bupropion.

Adverse reactions include agitation, sleep disturbances and increased fatigue.

Anxiolytic Agents

• Alprazolam
• Lorazepam

These interfere with norepinephrine and serotonin uptake in the brain, to treat depressive symptoms, sleeping difficulties and feelings of sluggishness.

Adverse reactions include sedation, amnesia and acute withdrawal symptoms.

Antimicrobials

Antibiotics, antivirals and antifungal agents that kill or inhibit bacterial growth.

Adverse effects include increasing the risk for resistant organisms.

Anti-Allergens

• Desloratadine
• Fexofenadine
• Ceterizine

Adverse reactions include drowsiness, fatigue and headache.

Antihypotensive / Antitachycardia Therapy

• Fludrocortisone - prescribed for CFS.
• Beta blockers
• Atenolol - prescribed for patients with hypotension

Adverse reactions include elevated blood pressure and fluid retention.

Ampligen

Antiviral, designed to stimulate immune response modifiers.

Adverse reactions including potential liver damage have been reported in initial studies.

Prevention is better than cure. Monitoring a healthy lifestyle through adequate sleep, a well balanced diet, exercise and relaxation are important alongside nutritional, hormonal and natural chemical restoration.

Many individual ingredients can be found to help increase your energy levels and ‘put a spring into your step’. These ingredients are indeed proven to initiate energy enhancing properties and include:

B Vitamins – B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12 - Essential vitamins needed for the release of energy from foods and many essential functions of the digestive and nervous system. They are essential in making red blood cells and in metabolic activity, helping to make energy, store it and release it when needed. 
 

The above ingredients are available individually and each has significant capabilities in their own right. However, to initiate effective treatment experts note these ingredients are not individually potent enough to combat energy loss issues and prevent reoccurrences.

Xtend-Life uses a specific combination of these and other ingredients to effect a solution. Additionally, Xtend-Life researchers have developed a unique process of treating pure New Zealand bee pollen with a number of specialised enzymes to both protect and release the active ingredients in a highly bioavailable form. By combining these special substances with the above ingredients Xtend-Life have created a unique energy formula called Xtend-Life Natural Energy.

Xtend-Life Natural Energy (which is compatible with Xtend-Life Total Balance formula) releases energy into your body in the most potent and synergistic form, significantly increasing your energy, vitality and overall health.

The ingredients in Xtend-Life Natural Energy have proven successful in providing most people with a pure sourced, natural boost of energy.

If your energy loss is due to another disease state, or due to specific nutrient deficiencies, you may find better results by using Xtend-Life Total Balance as this formula covers a much more overall health boosting regime and provides your body with full balance for long-term health.

For best results we therefore recommend combining both Xtend-Life Natural Energy and our most appropriate Total Balance formula to achieve optimal balanced health and vitality.

If your budget is limited however, we suggest you take Xtend-Life Natural Energy for an initial period of 1 – 2 months.

If after this period you feel it is not achieving the results you desire, you may try Xtend-Life Total Balance (any 1 of our 3 formulas). It may be that you have a nutrient deficiency not covered in the Natural Energy formula, but that is present in Total Balance.

Protocol

NOTE: If your budget can stretch to it add the Xtend-Life Omega 3 DHA/Esters to your protocol as well.

NB: Please note that we develop our formulas in a way that minimizes possibilities of interaction. However, as with all natural supplements there is still potential for ingredients to interact with prescription drugs. You are advised to either check with your physician or Contact Us with details of your medicines so that we can check our databases for potential problems. Please also check our legal notices found in About Us.