Fatigue and weight gain are two conditions that often affect people in today’s dynamic world. Fatigue, which can be both physical and mental, is a feeling of exhaustion and lack of energy, usually caused by prolonged work, insufficient sleep or chronic stress. It can manifest in various ways, including muscle weakness, difficulty concentrating and increased irritability. The main causes of fatigue include insufficient sleep, poor diet, lack of physical activity and stressors related to work and personal life.
Weight gain, often associated with fatigue, can be the result of both physiological and psychological factors. Stress and fatigue often lead to unhealthy eating habits and reduced physical activity, which in turn can contribute to weight gain. The lack of energy and motivation, characteristic of fatigue, can also lead to reduced physical activity, which exacerbates the problem of weight gain. Understanding the causes and consequences of fatigue and stress is essential for finding the right solution to the problem. Here are some of the most common causes of fatigue and weight gain:
Metabolic syndrome, prediabetes and type 2 diabetes are closely linked to fatigue and weight gain due to the complex interaction between biochemical and physiological processes in the body. Insulin resistance, characteristic of these conditions, causes a imbalance in glucose metabolism and disrupts cellular energy homeostasis, which can lead to fatigue and reduced physical activity. Increased insulin concentrations and hyperinsulinaemia, often associated with pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes, can disrupt appetite and fat metabolism, contributing to weight gain.
The use of medications such as corticosteroids, antihistamines and antidepressants can lead to weight gain and fatigue as side effects.
Pregnancy: During pregnancy, hormonal changes occur that can lead to fatigue and weight gain. Increased levels of progesterone, particularly in the first trimester, can cause a feeling of exhaustion. Additionally, the body naturally stores more fat to support the growing foetus, which contributes to weight gain.
Menopause: Fluctuating levels of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone can disrupt sleep and metabolism. This leads to fatigue and weight gain, particularly around the abdomen.
Mental health conditions: Weight gain and fatigue can also be caused by conditions that affect mental health and sleep, such as depression. Depression is a mental health condition characterised by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness and a loss of interest in activities. Fatigue is a common symptom of depression. It is usually accompanied by changes in appetite and weight gain or loss. Depression can also disrupt sleep, thereby worsening fatigue.
Insomnia: a sleep disorder characterised by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, which can lead to fatigue and weight gain. Sleep deprivation naturally causes daily fatigue, but it can also lead to appetite disorders. Impaired appetite regulation leads to excessive food consumption.
Hypothyroidism
One of the most common causes of fatigue or general weakness and unexplained weight gain is hypothyroidism. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones necessary for the body’s normal functioning. This can lead to a slow metabolism, including fatigue and weight gain. The main causes of hypothyroidism include an insufficient intake of iodine in the diet, autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, radioactive iodine therapy, surgical removal of the thyroid gland, and certain medications. Other symptoms of hypothyroidism include sensitivity to cold, dry skin and hair, constipation, a slow heart rate, muscle aches and weakness, menstrual irregularities, depression, and goitre.
How can we further support our thyroid gland?
In addition to hormone replacement therapy, it is possible to make further changes to dietary habits, physical activity and supplementation:
• A balanced diet rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat protein sources and healthy fats.
• Regular physical activity: exercise can help to boost metabolism, improve energy levels and alleviate symptoms of fatigue associated with hypothyroidism. A combination of aerobic exercise (e.g., walking, cycling, swimming) and muscle-strengthening exercises promotes cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and weight management.
Identify and address sources of chronic stress, whether related to work, relationships, or other factors. If necessary, consult a psychotherapist. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.
• Take high-quality thyroid support supplements.
A good example is Sarita+, a product created specifically to support people with hypothyroid conditions. Sarita+ contains a powerful formula with L-tyrosine, ashwagandha and ginseng extracts, supplemented with zinc, selenium and vitamin D.
L-tyrosine is an essential amino acid with many vital functions. It is used by the body to produce melanin and thyroid hormones, as well as by the brain to produce the neurotransmitters dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. In other words, L-tyrosine plays a significant role not only in how you function mentally, but also in your metabolism and overall health. With the help of selenium and iodine, the body uses L-tyrosine to synthesise thyroid hormones. L-tyrosine binds with iodine molecules in a series of reactions to form monoiodothyronine (MIT) or diiodothyronine (DIT). Then, the binding of two DIT molecules or one MIT molecule with DIT in enzymatic reactions leads to the synthesis of T4 and T3, respectively.
Ginseng grows in Korea, China and Siberia. It is considered an adaptogen – a substance that stimulates the body’s resistance to stress factors. Panax ginseng contains many active molecules. The most important are called ginsenosides or panaxosides. Ginseng is mainly used to improve mental function, cognitive function, the immune system, as well as conditions related to diabetes (glucose metabolism) and heart health. In a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, the efficacy and safety of the extract on glycaemic control were investigated. A total of 63 participants were randomly assigned to two groups – ginseng extract or placebo. Parameters related to glucose metabolism were assessed. The ginseng extract was shown to have the potential to improve glucose metabolism, particularly in patients with fasting glucose levels above 110 mg/dL.
Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub that grows in India, the Middle East and parts of Africa. It has a long history of use in traditional medicine. Subclinical hypothyroidism, a thyroid disorder without obvious symptoms of thyroid hormone deficiency, occurs in 3%–8% of the world’s population. A prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the administration of Ashwagandha root extract in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. Fifty patients with elevated serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) (4.5–10 mIU/L) aged 18 to 50 years were randomised to the treatment group (n = 25) or the placebo group (n = 25) for an 8-week treatment period. Eight weeks of ashwagandha treatment significantly improved serum levels of TSH (p < 0.001), T3 (p = 0.0031) and T4 (p = 0.0096) compared to placebo. Ashwagandha treatment significantly normalised serum thyroid indices during the eight-week treatment.
Sarita+ can be used for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, subclinical hypothyroidism and other forms of hypothyroidism at a dose of one capsule per day.
