Chronic fatigue is characterized by an exhausting feeling of tiredness that does not go away even after rest. It can be part of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or simply a symptom that accompanies many serious conditions. People suffering from chronic fatigue feel constantly without energy, have difficulty performing daily activities, and often suffer from poor concentration and motivation. Chronic fatigue can be a standalone diagnosis (when unexplained fatigue lasts at least 6 months with exclusion of other causes) or a consequence of diseases such as infections (e.g., mononucleosis, COVID-19 "long COVID"), autoimmune diseases, hormonal disorders, or fibromyalgia.
- A feeling of exhaustion that lasts long and is disproportionate to effort
- Sleep problems – unrefreshing sleep, difficulty falling asleep, or frequent awakening
- Cognitive difficulties (“brain fog”) – poor concentration, poor memory, confusion
- Often present muscle or joint pain, headaches
- Sometimes enlarged lymph nodes, sore throat (in CFS may appear as constant mild infection)
- Worsening of condition after physical or mental exertion (so-called post-exertional malaise)
The causes of chronic fatigue are multifactorial. In the case of CFS, the cause is not clearly defined; there are theories about residual immune reactions after infection, hormonal imbalance, stress, etc. What has been observed is that many patients have elevated low-grade inflammatory markers and oxidative stress, which suggests that inflammatory processes and free radicals may play a role in maintaining fatigue. Certainly, when the body is in a state of chronic inflammation (whether due to hidden infection, autoimmune activity, or obesity), cytokines are produced that can cause feelings of fatigue and "sickness behavior." Immune imbalance can also contribute – in some people with chronic fatigue syndrome, impaired function of NK cells (natural killer cells) and other parts of immunity has been observed.
Natural support for the body
In chronic fatigue, it is important to provide the body with all necessary nutrients so it has energy for recovery. Spelt is a true natural energizer in this regard. As a complex carbohydrate full of fiber, spelt provides a steady supply of energy – unlike sugar which gives a sudden short-term spike, spelt digests slowly and maintains stable glucose levels, preventing energy "crashes" during the day. This helps fight those dramatic bouts of exhaustion.
Spelt is also rich in proteins and essential amino acids, which contributes to supplying muscles and tissues with building materials and prevents muscle mass loss that sometimes occurs in chronic diseases. B vitamins from spelt (especially niacin, B6, and thiamine) are key cofactors in cellular energy production processes – they help mitochondria more efficiently convert food into ATP. Deficiencies of these vitamins can cause fatigue, so spelt helps bridge these deficiencies.
Magnesium and iron from spelt are also vital for fighting fatigue: magnesium is needed for over 300 enzymatic reactions, including those for energy production and muscle function (its deficiency causes fatigue and weakness), while iron prevents anemic fatigue. The antioxidant action of spelt is also important – by reducing oxidative stress in the body, the cellular energy factories (mitochondria) can work more efficiently. Chlorophyll and enzymes present in spelt green juice can additionally "refresh" the organism: chlorophyll improves tissue oxygenation (it is popularly said to help oxygen delivery, although indirectly), and enzymes facilitate digestion, thus saving the body energy for other processes.
Also, spelt helps with detoxification – by binding heavy metals and chemicals, it enables their elimination from the organism, which some alternative approaches consider crucial because accumulated toxins can contribute to feelings of chronic fatigue. With daily consumption through practical freeze-dried juice tablets or frozen spelt juice, people with chronic fatigue may experience gradual improvement in energy levels, mental clarity, and overall well-being. Of course, along with physical activity within tolerance limits and good sleep, spelt is part of a holistic approach to energy recovery.