Lack of Vital Energy May Be a Symptom of Illness

Life in contemporary society is dominated by a rapid pace. We chase after career, personal growth, mental development. To attain satisfaction, we often have to forgo many things, primarily time. Time scarcity syndrome appears to be an inherent part of life. It is increasingly linked with inferior nutritional quality. We want to eat quickly, but does speed imply goodness? Unfortunately, it is increasingly less so.

Why we need food to have energy in our daily lives is clear, but are the energy needs of each one of us the same? Of course, not. The amount of food and the amount of energy supplied with food should be individually tailored, taking into account the age, height, gender, and physical activity level of the person. How can we determine our energy needs? We start by calculating our basal metabolic rate, the amount of energy necessary for proper body functioning, in short PPM. We can use various formulas for this purpose. Below is an example of the modified Harris-Benedict formula.

PPM [kcal] = 88.362 + [13.397 × M (kg)] + [4.799 × W (cm)] - [5.677 × L (years)].

PPM [kcal] = 447, 593 + [9, 247 × M (kg) ] + [3, 098 × W (cm) ] − [4, 33 × L (year) ] M current total body weight expressed in kg, W height expressed in cm, L age expressed in years. It is then necessary to calculate the total body energy consumption (CPM), which is the amount of energy required for daily activity, e.g. whether one will exercise. This can be achieved by multiplying the PPM value by the movement activity coefficient: – 1, 2 – a person lying in bed, – 1, 25 – an office worker with very low physical activity related only to household chores, – 1, 5 – an office worker who trains about 3 times a week for at least an hour, – 1, 75 – an office worker who trains intensively 3-4 times a week for at least an hour, – 2, 0 – a professional athlete who trains at least 6 hours a week or a person who works very physically hard. Thanks to these calculations, we can determine our actual energy needs and adjust our diet accordingly. In everyday life, this may seem very difficult, but it is enough to familiarize yourself with the labels of the products. They always indicate the number of kilocalories that a particular food product provides. However, if we do not have time for this, we should follow the following guidelines: – The optimal number of meals per day is 4-6; – Meals should be consumed every 3-4 hours, so that the body has constant access to nutrients; – Breakfast should be eaten within an hour of waking up, so that we can provide the body with the necessary nutrients as soon as possible; – The last meal should be consumed about 2-3 hours before going to bed; – When choosing food products, we should be guided by the pyramid of healthy nutrition. It shows which food components we should include in our diet more frequently and which less frequently.

Could an energy deficiency be an indicator of an ailment? The answer is affirmative. There are numerous medical conditions that manifest themselves through energy deficiency. These include, among others, anemia, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, blood pressure issues, heart failure, depression, thyroid disorders, or even Lyme disease. The number of potential causes is substantial, but in order to identify them as the main reason for the energy deficit, it is worth examining our lifestyle. Do we have time to rest, recover, and most importantly – do we have time for conscious eating to provide the body with all the necessary nutrients? If our dietary habits are correct, but we still experience energy deficiency, it is advisable to consult a doctor. They can order diagnostic tests and assist in identifying the cause of our discomfort.