Feeling Like An Old Curmudgeon?

Feel like you're just getting old and life is getting you down? Too many aches and pains? Tired all the time? Well, maybe you are getting old, and there's nothing that can be done about your age, but certainly there is something that can be done to elevate your mood, give you more energy and alleviate those aches and pains.

If you go to a doctor, you are likely to be told "it's all in your head" and labeled as having chronic fatigue syndrome. But being told you're getting old or that you have chronic fatigue syndrome doesn't handle anything.

Doctors recommend psychological counseling (to get it out of your head) and physical therapy and perhaps a dietitian and/or sleep therapist. Mostly these remedies go nowhere, because it's not "all in your head."

However, if one finds and treats the physical causes for these symptoms of old age (which are also symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome) you can get results and dissipation of symptoms. Food has a lot to do with it. If you eat a lot of refined carbohydrates, symptoms will worsen. If you eat slow-burning carbohydrates (fiber), your condition will improve and the body will have energy. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish and flaxseed oil will make pain lessen or disappear, whereas saturated fats and refined vegetable oils will only make pain worse.

Sometimes allergies arise later in life, and these can be tested for. Wheat and dairy are common offenders. Once you eliminate the offending foods, it will make a big difference in how you feel.

Neurotransmitter serotonin is a chemical produced by the body which regulates mood and a lack of this chemical makes one feel gloomy and cause other symptoms attributed to chronic fatigue syndrome. It also is associated with pain, and a lack of serotonin increases perception of pain.

St. John's Wort, SAMe and 5-HIP are names of natural supplements that increase serotonin and can provide alleviation of pain and depression. They are much safer than psychiatric drugs and unlike psychiatric anti-depressants these natural remedies are backed by solid research. Also they do not have the damaging side effects of prescription anti-depressants.

If you feel like you are becoming a grouchy old man or woman, get yourself some help. A program especially for your body with a good diet and supplements will bring you new energy for life.