Do you often feel tired and exhausted? If so, you are not alone. Many have experienced a similar feeling of fatigue, which doesn’t seem to go away despite getting enough sleep each night or eating healthy meals throughout the day. In reality, fatigue can have many different origins, including dietary and medical issues. Read on to learn more about the mysterious syndrome known as chronic fatigue syndrome and the foods that can cause it.
Getting enough sleep can be very important in boosting energy levels. However, even after a full night’s rest, one can feel exhausted, which means sleep isn’t always the issue. In fact, people who suffer from myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) often experience extreme fatigue despite having a deep sleep of eight hours or more.
This condition can be linked to certain foods consumed by the affected person. If you find that you continue to feel tired even after a full night’s rest, it may be worth thinking about dietary triggers.
Myalgic encephalomyelitis: what is it?
Known as ME or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), is a complex and debilitating neurological disorder that affects the brain and nervous system and results primarily in extreme fatigue or exhaustion. It is characterized by a range of symptoms, including:
- Decreased physical stamina and energy.
- A disturbance in sleep patterns.
- Cognitive difficulties such as memory and concentration problems.
- Sore throat.
- Joint and muscle pain.
- Headaches.
- Sensitivity to light, sound and smell.
- Digestive problems such as nausea and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
- Psychological distress such as anxiety and depression.
- Flu-like symptoms such as fever and chills.
In addition, it has been linked to an impaired immune system, which can make sufferers more vulnerable to viral infections.
How certain foods can trigger myalgic encephalomyelitis?
Certain foods can trigger myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) because of the chemical reactions they cause in the body. Eating certain types of food can cause an increase in inflammatory markers, which has been linked to ME symptoms. For example, some people with ME report feeling worse after eating processed or sugary foods, as well as gluten and dairy.
Additionally, certain additives and preservatives found in many processed foods have been shown to impair the immune system and may contribute to worsening EM symptoms. It is essential for people with ME to eat a diet consisting mainly of whole, unprocessed foods, as this allows them to control their intake of potentially problematic ingredients.
Additionally, avoiding foods high in refined sugars can help reduce inflammation and make it easier to manage symptoms. Many people with ME find that following a low-carb diet helps relieve many of their symptoms. Low-carb diets emphasize eating protein like lean meats and fish, healthy fats like olive oil, nuts, seeds, and avocados, and complex carbohydrates. like sweet potatoes and quinoa.
Finally, it is important to properly hydrate when living with ME, as dehydration can exacerbate already existing levels of fatigue and pain.
Animal fats are the first to ban according to a study.
According to the Journal Of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, the consumption of animal fats has been strongly implicated in causing the symptoms associated with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME or CFS).
Animal fats are high in calories and contain a series of saturated fatty acids that have been linked to chronic inflammation. Research suggests that regular consumption of saturated fatty acids can lead to increased levels of inflammatory cytokines in the blood, which in turn can cause an inflammatory cascade in the body.
This cascade leads to the onset of a series of debilitating symptoms characteristic of ME/CFS, such as fatigue, nausea, muscle aches, headaches, dizziness, etc. Additionally, animal fats tend to be nutrient-poor and therefore do not provide essential nutrients for the proper functioning and maintenance of healthy cells.
Research also indicates that people who consume large amounts of animal fat are more likely to suffer from ME/CFS than those who consume less. It is therefore important to be careful with your food choices when it comes to preventing or managing ME/CFS symptoms, as reducing or eliminating animal fats can be beneficial.
