A Cause For Chronic Fatigue You Haven't Considered + 14 Ways To Fix It

In my functional medicine practice, I've talked to countless people over the years from all different backgrounds and places, whose story is the same: They wake up feeling like "a train hit them," no matter how much they sleep. They are exhausted, craving caffeine and sugary foods just to get through the day. One to 4 million Americans suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome. Shockingly, over 80 percent are undiagnosed and have no idea why they are so tired all the time.

There are actually eight identified members of the human herpes virus family so far. This is also the group of viruses that cause chickenpox and shingles! Herpes is one rough family. The member of the herpes family that I see being an underlying factor to chronic fatigue is the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

Epstein-Barr is the cause of "mono" (mononucleosis), known as the "kissing disease," which causes extreme exhaustion in millions of teenagers and young adults. The name herpes comes from the Greek word herpein or "to creep" and that's exactly what EBV can do. They can stay dormant for years until an opportunity to strike occurs. A stressful life event like a divorce or loss of a loved one, leaky gut syndrome, candida overgrowth, adrenal fatigue, or Lyme disease can all be the perfect time for the sleeping, latent viral infection to rise up and trigger chronic fatigue.

Another 2015 Polish study2 looked at the ability of EBV to "hide" in the thyroid and, once reactivated, stimulate the immune system to attack the thyroid, triggering autoimmune thyroid problems or Hashimoto's disease, which is another common cause of fatigue.

If you are going through mono right now, or chronic fatigue, here are my top tips to reboot your immune system and start the healing process:

I suggest getting a full viral screen if you have these or other unexplained health problems. Labs are able to tell if there is an active or past infection.

Support methylation with activated B vitamins and foods rich in B vitamins such as green leafy vegetables, onions, garlic, and grass-fed beef and liver.

Research shows that the healthy fats3 EPA and DHA from fish oil decreased EBV from being reactivated.

A 2016 study found that vitamin D4 was able to bring down Epstein-Barr antibodies in patients with the autoimmune disease MS. Make sure to have your vitamin D levels tested to determine dosage, and shoot for the optimal range of 60 to 80.

This root herb is used in traditional Chinese medicine5 to fight off viral infections.

I recommend having labs done to evaluate your gut health in the context of chronic fatigue. Endotoxins will raise immune labs, such as white blood cell count and inflammatory proteins such as C-reactive protein and IL-6.

Bring detoxing foods into your daily diet. Garlic, cilantro, parsley, spirulina, and sage are some of my favorites. You can use them in smoothies, on salads, or with your meals. Try rotating these foods throughout your week for comprehensive detox support.

An amino acid called theanine9 has also been shown to improve sleep and allows you to feel rested and rejuvenated when you wake up. Low-caffeine teas like white tea or decaf green tea are great food sources for this sleepy-time medicine. I have a cup every night.

Get labs to check your nutrient levels. If you don't already, focus on eating a clean diet with a wide variety of nutrient-dense whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, organic meats, and healthy fats.

The extract from olive leaf11 has been shown to have antiviral capabilities.

Research published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology saw this adaptogenic herb12 increased helpful immune cells. Cortisol spikes have been shown to trigger a reactivation of EBV, and ashwagandha also has a balancing effect on the main stress hormone.

An exciting study published in Medical Science Monitor found that higher levels of vitamin C13 produced lower levels of EBV in people with mono and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Try to say larrea tridentata three times fast! This traditional Native American medicine is known as the ancient antiviral antidote of the desert.

Navigating viral chronic fatigue can be overwhelming. Finding a qualified functional medicine practitioner to put the pieces of your health journey together can be invaluable to your health and well-being—it often takes more than one shot to get to the root of it, but a functional medicine doctor will look at your lifestyle holistically rather than simply your symptoms.