Persistent, unexplained fatigue affects a significant portion of the population in North America. Doctors often investigate possible causes such as thyroid dysfunction, anemia, sleep disorders, or depression. When the results fall within normal parameters, patients frequently receive limited guidance.
“One of the most common reasons for persistent fatigue despite normal lab results is the continuous activation of the immune system caused by hidden triggers that the body reacts to every day.”
Certain foods can trigger an inflammatory response that activates the immune system and releases chemical mediators such as cytokines and histamines. This reaction is essential for defending the body against pathogens, but when the activation becomes chronic, it can deplete the energy needed for daily functioning.
“Inflammation requires energy,” Pennington explains. “When the immune system reacts to foods it perceives as threats, it consumes resources the body needs to think, work, exercise, and perform everyday activities.”
