Lack of energy is the single, most common complaint among Americans today. Many nutritionists, naturopaths and physicians agree that "idiopathic fatigue" has become a prevalent, clinical observation. Persistent, daily exhaustion seems to have become pandemic. So much so that the phrase "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)," is now a household term. Other symptoms often include: poor endurance and stamina (upon slight exertion), depression and diminished libido. Due to lack of diagnosis, individuals suffering from this condition may seek guidance from alternative health care practitioners. Or they may be classified as mental cases by their "orthodox" physicians, who believe them to be suffering from hypochondria.

Pep Pills: More Harm Than Good?

This growing epidemic has flooded the nutritional supplement industry with a multitude of energy products. With this cornucopia of "pep" pills, it can be quite difficult and confusing to choose a formula. Sufferers of chronic fatigue must consider the following questions. Which products will provide a noticeable boost in physical and mental energy? Which compounds are proven by scientific studies? And, most importantly, does the formula contain hidden herbal sources of stimulants such as caffeine, theophylline or ephedrine?

Most of the energy supplements currently available are a combination of various compounds including: vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs and meta-nutrients. (This class of natural chemicals are manufactured by the body and often referred to as "nutraceuticals". Melatonin, co-enzyme Q10 and DHEA are but a few of these highly specialized compounds.) What is not generally known is that some herbs, commonly used in these types of supplements, might contain significant amounts of harsh central nervous system stimulants.

Botanicals such as Guarrana, Kola Nut (also known as Bissy Nut) and Green Tea are rich sources of caffeine and theophylline. Ma Huang, an herb often used in energy and asthma formulas, is a rich source of a potent stimulant known as ephedrine (classed as an amphetamine). Other names for this herb are Chinese ephedra, (Chinese species / botanical name: Ephedra sinica) and Mormon tea, Brigham tea, Desert tea and Squaw tea (American species / botanical name: Ephedra vulgaris).

All of these chemicals, caffeine, theophylline and ephedrine, even though being natural, may cause serious side-effects and dangerously interact with many prescription medications. The most common adverse effects are: hypertension, increased pulse rate, anorexia, polyuria, anxiety, sleeplessness and mineral depletion. Long term use of energy supplements containing these substances may potentially cause the very same symptoms (such as fatigue and depression) which individuals are attempting to alleviate.

Elements of Energy

Human neurochemistry has been demonstrated to dictate the various aspects of cerebral function. Some of these include: cognition, memory (both storage and recall) and mood. The optimizing of these mental faculties may be achieved via boosting production of various brain chemicals, as well as stimulating blood flow to the brain. Also, increasing the production of catecholamines (a group of excitatory neurotransmitters), specifically dopamine and norepinephrine, have been shown to improve mood and combat depression. These neuro-chemicals may also boost mental acuity and thus reduce the chances of "drawing a blank".

Stress is another critical factor, often overlooked. It may steal the body's capacity to produce energy. Today's hectic schedules and daily routines may tax one's ability to deal with stress. So, the adrenal glands, tiny endocrine bodies located above the kidneys, are responsible for this "coping" mechanism. These glands produce chemicals which aid in the management of stress, through regulation of the "fight or flight" reaction. These chemicals, epinephrine (often referred to as adrenaline) and cortisol, have also been demonstrated to aid in the management of allergies via the modulation of the inflammatory reaction. If the adrenal glands are "taxed" excessively, (due to stress, lack of sleep, poor diet, medication, etc.), an individual may suffer from adrenal exhaustion. This may result in chronic fatigue and allergy exacerbation. It has also been demonstrated that depletion of vital adrenal hormones may be the result of habitual stimulant use (such as caffeine, theophylline and ephedrine). This potentially exacerbates chronic fatigue.

Many different nutrients, necessary to human metabolism, such as magnesium, potassium, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine) and alpha-keto-glutaric acid, all aid in the production, utilization and regeneration of the ATP molecule. These nutrients maintain and assemble ATP through a process known as the Kreb's cycle. Also, many of these nutrients are critical in the formation of enzymes, biochemical catalysts essential to all forms of life.

The following is a list of natural compounds which may increase mental acuity and clarity, increase physical endurance, stamina and libido. Many of these compounds, (some of which are considered "tonics"), are frequently suggested by alternative health care practitioners. These are free of the side-effects, often induced by the harsh stimulants, previously mentioned. They may be a beneficial adjunct in the treatment of idiopathic chronic fatigue, subclinical depression and hypoadrenalism.

• L-tyrosine is an amino acid precursor to the excitatory neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. These neuro-chemicals act as natural anti-depressants, stimulate libido and increase mental acuity. L-tyrosine also promotes the production of epinephrine (adrenaline), a vasoconstricting chemical. It has been shown to provide energy to subjects under extreme mental or physical stress, such as during a "fight or flight" situation. Deficiencies of L-tyrosine may result in symptoms such as depression, mental lethargy and poor skin pigmentation.
• Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguayensis) is often considered South American coffee or thought of as another source of caffeine, Yerba Mate has been used as a daily tonic beverage, much as ginseng is Asia. But, contrary to popular belief, Yerba Mate is free of caffeine and other harsh stimulants. Yerba Mate has been used to tone and strengthen the body's various systems (such as organ and immune) as well as to stimulate libido and promote longevity.
• Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), a rare Ayurvedic herb, is often referred to as "Indian Ginseng". Ashwagandha has been used to maintain health, increase energy, manage stress and combat depression (in both men and women) for thousands of years. In scientific studies, Ashwagandha has been demonstrated to strengthen the adrenal glands and modulate cortisol production. In various animal studies, Ashwagandha has been shown to boost endurance and stamina, while delaying the onset and intensity of physical exhaustion.
• Magnesium and Potassium Aspartate are two crucial electrolytes which promote the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP / a high energy molecule) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (also involved in energy utilization). This process is optimally achieved when magnesium and potassium are molecularly bound to aspartic acid, a Kreb's cycle intermediate (the process which produces all energy in plants and animals). Due to the pace of the modern day lifestyle, the dietary consumption of magnesium and potassium is often quite deficient. It has long been established, that high sodium foods compete with the benefits of potassium, thus increasing the need for this nutrient. Deficiencies of magnesium and potassium may result in cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension, poor physical endurance and stamina, and chronic fatigue.
• Pyridoxine Alpha-Keto-Glutarate is a special form of vitamin B-6 bound to a Kreb's cycle intermediate. This compound aids in promoting the turnover of ATP through the Kreb's cycle. Vitamin B-6 is one of the most important co-enzymes in human biochemistry. It is responsible for hundreds of physiological functions. Various scientific studies have demonstrated that a deficiency of vitamin B-6 may result in water retention, lethargy, poor physical stamina and strength as well as mental depression. Other effects of vitamin B-6 deficiency include: nerve pathologies (such as neuropathy) and retardation of most biochemical functions of the human body.
• St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a European herb, in a standardized form, used for a variety of health conditions. Studies have demonstrated the herb to have natural anti-depressant effects, due to its effect on dopamine and norepinepherine. Hypericin, a polycyclic dione molecule occurring in the herb, is considered a classs B monoamine oxidase inhibitor in many European countries and thus is prescribed accordingly. Due to hypericin, St. John's Wort works synergistically with L-tyrosine to achieve maximum catecholamine values by suppressing degradation and increasing half-life.
• Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo biloba) is an herb, the standardized form of which, has over 400 published studies throughout Europe, North America and China validating its efficacy. Ginkgo biloba has been demonstrated to increase systemic micro-circulation, especially blood supply to the brain. In many countries Ginkgo biloba is often prescribed by doctors as an initial or adjunctive therapy for cognitive disorders such as senile dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
• Ascorbic Acid is also known as Vitamin C. This essential nutrient helps the body manage stress as well as stimulating and modulating the immune system. Vitamin C also acts as a catalyst, (much like vitamin B-6), to many physiological functions such as energy production. This is done through numerous biochemical pathways including the Kreb's cycle. Symptoms and diseases of vitamin C deficiency may include: easy brusing, premature aging (wrinkles), poor connective tissue integrity, various mental psychosis, and chronic fatigue.

Mitch Chavez, B.Sc., C.N. is a Certified Nutritionist with an undergraduate in Nutrition Science with emphasis on nutritional biochemistry. He is an independent technical consultant to the natural products industry and Director of Education of Progressive Apothecary, a professional products distributor exclusively for practioners of natural medicine.

In addition to his position with Progressive Apothecary, he is the Vice President and Director of Research and Development of Nutraceutical Research Laboratories and Chief Science Officer for Integrative Medical Research, Ltd., both makers/suppliers of cutting-edge nutritionals for physicians specializing in complementary and integrative medicine.

Mr. Chavez has had numerous articles published in both lay magazines and peer reviewed journals regarding nutritional supplementation and product formula rationale. He has also lectured internationally by invitation to medical schools at a post-graduate level concerning nutritional biochemistry and botanical medicine.