Boost your energy levels through nutrition and supplements!

The feeling of constant tiredness that many people experience throughout the day is a problem that affects a great many people; often, this tiredness sets in after a meal high in carbohydrates.

Does this sound familiar? Let’s find out together how to banish everyday tiredness and regain your energy!

How does nutrition affect your energy levels?

Through food, we literally provide our bodies with fuel – and therefore energy.

That’s why it’s so important to make conscious choices about the type of fuel we decide to give our bodies. If you feel constantly tired, the first thing to look at is your diet.

Let’s look at the most likely causes of the constant tiredness you want to get rid of:

• After a meal high in carbohydrates, fatigue can be a symptom of gastrointestinal congestion. To digest a particularly heavy meal, the digestive organs require large amounts of oxygen, which is achieved by reducing blood flow to other areas in favour of the digestive system. Fatigue and drowsiness are therefore thought to result from a reduction in blood supply to the brain.
• Another key factor could be hypoglycaemia and the massive release of insulin. One of the typical symptoms of hypoglycaemia is drowsiness.
• Fatigue and drowsiness following heavy meals may also be linked to a reduction in the activity of the sympathetic nervous system in favour of the parasympathetic nervous system: whilst the former is highly active in situations of fear and danger, the latter prevails in states of well-being (digestion, rest, physical recovery and relaxation) and therefore promotes relaxation and sleep.

Effectively combating fatigue and drowsiness during the day

What can we do to prevent fatigue and drowsiness from constantly affecting us?

Firstly, we can choose to stick to a regular sleep schedule, for example by avoiding certain stimulants such as coffee, alcohol or nicotine. Caffeine, for example, disrupts sleep by reducing the duration of the REM phase – the deep sleep phase during which the body recovers, i.e. the phase during which we dream.

Disruptions to this phase, which occurs around 90 minutes after falling asleep, can lead to drowsiness in the morning and, consequently, reduced productivity and concentration. Nicotine also disrupts the normal sleep-wake cycle and, furthermore, its side effects kick in shortly before waking, leaving the smoker feeling deeply tired.

Another tip is to avoid activities that do not help you relax in the 3 to 4 hours before going to bed. Indeed, a rise in adrenaline has always been an enemy of sleep.

Similarly, a meal that is too ‘light’ before bed or prolonged fasting can lead to feelings of hunger and, consequently, a loss of sleep. A lack of rest triggers two mechanisms that stimulate hunger: a lack of energy and disruption to appetite-regulating hormones.

In addition to these habits, we can help ourselves by taking certain supplements with a targeted and specific action to combat persistent fatigue:

• Amino acids: these help us feel energised and promote healthy sleep by detoxifying the body. As well as arginine, glutamine and carnitine are important for sleep disorders. These amino acids help eliminate ammonia, which disrupts sleep and is toxic to cells.
• Melatonin: a hormone produced by our bodies that helps maintain and restore the balance between sleep and wakefulness. When our body’s melatonin levels are low, episodes of insomnia, early waking or difficulty falling asleep may occur.
• ZMA: a supplement in capsule form containing zinc, magnesium and vitamin B6. Taking ZMA supplements helps you sleep better and for longer, thereby improving your sleep cycles
• GHRecovery Pure: an innovative product recently launched by Tsunami to combat stress and fatigue and promote a good night’s rest. The ingredients in this supplement are 100% natural; they help to curb anxiety and emotional eating, and are excellent allies in preventing all kinds of sleep problems.