
Feeling Constantly Exhausted? You Might Be Missing This Essential Nutrient!
2025-05-15
Author: Ying
If you're battling unending fatigue despite getting plenty of sleep, the solution might be simpler than you think—and it revolves around a lesser-known nutrient: choline.
Choline is a crucial nutrient our bodies largely obtain from our diet, including sources like beef, chicken, eggs, fish, and dairy. Although our livers produce some choline, many people fail to meet their daily needs, leading to a range of health issues.
Experts emphasize that adequate choline levels are pivotal for liver health, brain development, muscle strength, metabolism, and the nervous system's functioning. Nutritional therapist Hanieh Vidmar warns, 'Choline greatly influences brain health, mood, memory, and liver function. Without it, many may experience lethargy, concentration difficulties, and even signs of fatty liver disease as choline is essential for fat transport out of the liver.'
Research suggests that sufficient choline may even alleviate anxiety and lower the risk of depression. Alarmingly, low levels during pregnancy have been linked to attention problems and an increased chance of ADHD in children.
While choline deficiency is uncommon, its consequences can be severe. This nutrient is vital for creating cell-strengthening fats and producing compounds that relay messages between cells. In the liver, choline helps remove cholesterol, a key factor in preventing heart attacks and strokes. Additionally, it's crucial for the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter critical for muscle memory, cognitive function, and even heart rate regulation.
To ensure you're getting enough choline, Vidmar recommends incorporating animal products into your meals. For those following a vegan diet, plant-based sources like broccoli, peanuts, kidney beans, and mushrooms can suffice, albeit in smaller quantities.
A recent YouGov survey revealed that one in eight people in the UK feels 'tired all the time,' with a quarter reporting frequent exhaustion. This phenomenon even has a medical shorthand: TATT, or 'tired all the time.' With an alarming estimate of over 400,000 individuals in the UK suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome, understanding these dietary nuances is vital.
Typical symptoms of fatigue include waking up drained even after a full night’s sleep, persistent headaches, mood swings, and a dip in motivation. Common culprits for chronic tiredness encompass deficiencies in iron, vitamin B12, and folate, along with conditions like diabetes and hypothyroidism.
As you tackle your fatigue, consider that adjusting your diet might just provide the energy boost you’ve been searching for!