Fatigue, and Problems with Concentration
Cascading Problems
Fatigue, and Problems with Concentration
When you suffer from IBD, UC, Crohn’s this can lead to a whole gamut of cascading problems which is important to be on the look out for.
Cascading problems such as:
- Malabsorption of nutrients, causing malnutrition (often undiagnosed)
- B12 Deficiency, which if it goes undiagnosed can lead to pernicious anemia
- Inadequate Vitamin D3 levels, leaving your immune system at risk
- Ineffective or low levels of good intestinal gut flora, putting your immune system at risk
- Bone Density Loss, Osteopenia, or Osteoporosis
- Fatigue
- Problems with Concentration
- Improper Digestion
- Leaky Gut Syndrome
- Intestinal Permeability
- Extra-Intestinal Symptoms of Joint Pains, Skin Rashes, Eye Problems
- Depression and Anxiety
- Headaches
- And of course digestive issues of: Diarrhea, Constipation, Bloating, Gas, Cramping, Abdominal Pain, Distention, just to name of few of the many symptoms
Has your Doctor told you to be on the lookout for these Cascading Problems?
So, what can you do about these Cascading Problems?
1) By being proactive and being aware, you’ll be on the lookout for these problems before they occur
2) By being aware of these problems, you’ll be able to see the symptoms and know what they correlate to
3) By putting in place certain checks and balances, you’ll be in a position to assess these problems
As it relates to Fatigue, some helpful assessment tests are:
a) Chemistry Panel and CBC
(should be done every 3-4 months)
This test is especially important if you are on any of the mesalamine medications (whether oral or rectal) as they affect both liver and kidney functions potentially and it’s important to keep an eye on those functions (per our discussion in the Updates). Also it’s important if you’re taking prednisone as well.
The Chemistry and CBC blood test is a comprehensive metabolic evaluation including the following tests:
- Fasting Glucose (blood sugar)
- Uric acid
- BUN (blood urea nitrogen): Measures liver and kidney function
- Creatinine: A test used to measure kidney function
- BUN/Creatinine Ratio: For diagnosis of impaired renal function
- Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Chloride
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Total Protein
- Albumin
- Globulin
- Albumin/Globulin Ratio
- Bilirubin: Evaluates kidney and liver function
- Alkaline Phosphatase: Evaluation of liver and bone diseases
- LDH (lactic dehydrogenase)
- AST (SGOT): Evaluates liver function
- ALT (SGPT): Evaluates liver function
- Iron (serum)
- Lipid Profile: Evaluates the risk for developing atherosclerosis (arterial plaque) and coronary heart disease.
- Total Cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- HDL Cholesterol
- LDL Cholesterol
- Total Cholesterol/HDL Ratio
- Complete Blood Count:
- Red blood cell count
- Hemoglobin
- Hematocrit
- Red blood cell indices
- Mean corpuscular hemoglobin
- Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration
- Red blood cell distribution
- White blood cell count
- Differential count
- Platelet count
Click here to find out more about this important test
Testimonials
5 out of 5 stars, Great Value for People with No insurance
” Being able to get labs done when I don’t have insurance is a blessing. Thank you for offering this service. I wish it was available in all states (i have friends who could also benefit, but they live in NJ), but I am glad it was available in my state! Fast delivery of order form & Received results in 24 hours.” – by Bob D, Strousburg, PA
5 out of 5 stars, Got results the following day
“Made appt with lab online. Went to lab. Was in and out in all of 5 minutes. Received results following day via email. So quick, no hassle. Kudos to Life Extension for making this so easy and kind on my wallet.” By socalgal, from los angeles, ca
5 out of 5 stars!
“Was a little leery ordering a CBC test online but boy was I wrong. The process was very simple and fast. Got my order in and got my blood drawn on Friday morning at a local labcorp and by Monday afternoon got my results. Will be doing future blood work through Life Extension in the future.” – By Bobby, from Orange County, CA
b) B12 Blood Status Panel Test
This panel contains the following tests:
To read : Vitamin B12 – The Multiple Benefits of this Complex Supplement, click here
Another important read, Report: B12 Surprising New Findings, click here to read it
Click here to get info on this B12 Test
c) Anemia Blood Testing
( very important in IBD, should be done every 3-4 months)
This Anemia test is especially important because IBD often times results in anemia due to malabsorption of nutrients, Vitamin B12 problems, and of course bleeding as well, as we have covered in many Updates.
Anemia occurs when you have less than the normal number of red blood cells in your blood or when the red blood cells in your blood don’t have enough hemoglobin.
Hemoglobin is a protein that gives the red color to your blood. Its main job is to carry oxygen from your lungs to all parts of your body. If you have anemia, your blood does not carry enough oxygen to all the parts of your body. Without oxygen, your organs and tissues cannot work as well as they should.
More than 3 million people in the United States have anemia. Women and people with chronic disease are at the greatest risk for anemia.
Since there are many types and causes of anemia, Life Extension has created a panel to look at the most frequent causes: Iron deficiency, B12 deficiency, and the bone marrow’s ability to produce red blood cells.
The Anemia Panel contains the following:
- Chemistry Profile (complete metabolic panel with lipids)
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Ferritin
- Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC)
- Vitamin B12
- Folate
- Reticulocyte Count
Click here to find out about the Anemia Test
d) Vitamin D Testing
(should be done every 3-4 months, especially if you are supplementing with Vitamin D3)
As we have discussed in numerous Updates, Vitamin D is not only essential to good health and your immune system working properly, but it’s critical that levels be elevated when you have IBD, UC, and Crohn’s.
Here’s an interesting and important article on Vitamin D, featuring the interview with Michael F. Holick, PhD, MD The Pioneer of Vitamin D Research, click here to read it.
Recent research has shown that vitamin D is important to every cell and tissue throughout the body. From proper immune function and bone density to heart health and mood disorders, vitamin D is critical for optimal health.
You should know your Vitamin D blood level. Life Extension offers a reliable vitamin D blood test at a fraction of what most commercial blood labs charge. Optimal blood levels of vitamin D are often far greater than the standard reference range. The only way to achieve an optimal level is through proper supplementation.
Click here to see info on the Vitamin D Blood Test
Testimonials
5 Stars out of 5, Great way to keep current on Vit D level
“LEF tests through LabCorp are a cost effective way to monitor blood levels of essentials for which insurance does not pay. LEF order to LabCorp arrived in 2 days. Lab just 3 miles from home. LabCorp results were received through LEF in less than 36 hours from blood draw! That’s speedy!!!Thanks LEF for making this possible.” by Marksman, from Texas Panhandle
5 Stars out of 5, Excellent way to test for vitamin D
“Since insurance may not pay for repeated testings to get vitamin D in optimal ranges, LEF’s test is an inexpensive way to do repeat testing. I used the recommendations of the Vitamin D Foundation and the information provided by Dr. Joseph Mercola, along with my Integrative health doctor to strive for an optimal range. Unfortunately the lab’s range is still lagging behind the science, though the testing results are accurate.” By Marie F, from Vinton, VA
5 Stars out of 5, Vitamin D from 28 to 61
“I was tested with a 28 ng/ml at my doctor’s office. No mention was made to be concerned. I increased my Vitamin intake to 7500 daily for over six months and then had the test taken through L.E.F. My vitamin D increased to 61 ng/ml. I feel empowered that I was able to correct a deficiency before it became a real problem.” by YogaGirl, from Troy, MI
4) By taking some simple steps, you’ll be able to pre-empt some of these problems
Now that you know which cascade of problems to be on the lookout for, what can you do to prevent them? Let’s get through each one, and see how to pre-empt them:
A) Malabsorption of nutrients, causing malnutrition (often undiagnosed)
B) B12 Deficiency, which if it goes undiagnosed can lead to pernicious anemia
C) Inadequate Vitamin D3 Levels, leaving your Immune System at risk
D) Ineffective or low levels of good intestinal gut flora, putting your immune system at risk
E) Bone Density Loss, Osteopenia, or Osteoporosis
F) Fatigue, and
G) Problems with Concentration
Both of these problems, Fatigue, and Problems with Concentration – can be a result of the disease process, side effects of the medications (including the 5ASA’s and prednisone), and can also be a result of Vitamin B12 deficiency.
If it still persists once Vitamin B12 deficiency is addressed, then I would suggest addressing this via supplementation of Maca Root Powder ( to be put in your daily protein shakes, Morning Glory Shake).
Adding Maca Root Powder
Maca Root is also known as Lepidium mayenil.
What is Maca Root?
Often called “Peruvian Ginseng”, Maca is a unique root tuber with usage dating back to the mid 15th century. Natives of this area ate it raw, cooked or boiled and it became a staple in their everyday diet.
Currently the country of Peru is heavily subsidizing and studying the benefits of this root and several reports from educational and scientific institutions have showed significant: (120-200%) increases in sexual endurance, physical stamina, adaptability to stressful situations an increase in both the number and activity of spermatazoids (sperm).
Why?
Maca’s Primary Benefits
- Energy / Fatigue: Generates core energy in the body and mind; not an external stimulant like caffeine. Maca is invigorating and uplifting through a powerful and distinct nutritional profile.
- Menopause: This is a prominent use, gaining recognition worldwide. For many people it is very effective. Maca nourishes the endocrine system, balancing the manufacture of hormones naturally in the body. It does not act upon hormones directly, which is why it is so gentle and effective for this purpose. This concentrated gelatinized form is considered stronger than Black Cohosh, Chaste Berry, and Wild Yam for hormonal regulation purposes.
- Libido: Maca is marketed under this banner more often than not, as it is a powerful restorer and enhancer of libido. It is one of the few supplements that is equally effective in both men and women for this purpose. This gelatinized form contains much higher concentrations of the libido-enhancing compounds often touted by manufacturers.
- Impotence / Infertility: Maca treats impotence and infertility in both men and women. Maca is well known in Peru for it’s ability to ensure fertility in animals at high altitudes. It is prescribed for the same reason in humans, as it increases virility, oxygen transport.
- ADD / Stress: Through the concentrated power of it’s nutrition, Maca can help to enhance concentration and decrease stress, being a powerful tool in addressing attention issues. The owner of Skyfield Tropical has used it primarily for this purpose for many years, and recommends it often to others with similar issues.
- Malnutrition: Maca is remarkably nutritious, having a profile of highly bio-available nutrients akin to a good multi-vitamin. A gelatinized maca, in being free of fibers and most carbohydrates, is nearly 100% digestible, and is quickly assimilated. When dissolved into liquids, many of its active nutrients enter the bloodstream within 20 minutes of ingestion.
- Thyroid: Only gelatinized / cooked maca is being used to treat thyroid problems. Maca is also good source of iodine, which can assist in hypothyroidism. Raw maca cannot be used for this purpose, as it contains goitrogens which must be deactivated by cooking. Maca is a cruciferous vegetable, like broccoli or turnips.
How Do I Take Maca Root Powder?
I take it daily, mixed in my Morning Glory Shake.
Nutritional Value
High in minerals: calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc.
High in sterols (6 found), up to 20 essential fatty acids, lipids, fiber, carbohydrates, protein, and amino acids.
Precautions
To date no record of any contraindications, adverse effects, or toxicity have been found.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Where do I get my Maca Root Powder?
This supplier’s quality and price cannot be compared to other suppliers, theirs is Organic and top quality at a great price. Just click the image below.
I think it’s very important to be aware of these Cascading Problems, and specifically, Fatigue and Problems with Concentration, so that you can be pro-active and to pre-empt further problems. It’s unlikely your doctor has made you aware of these.
