{"id":1501,"date":"2018-05-28T02:13:45","date_gmt":"2018-05-28T02:13:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drvanta.com\/?p=1501"},"modified":"2019-02-20T09:58:58","modified_gmt":"2019-02-20T09:58:58","slug":"how-to-treat-orexin-deficiency-naturally","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drvanta.com\/how-to-treat-orexin-deficiency-naturally\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Treat Orexin Deficiency Naturally, Including Best Supplements For Fatigue and Sleepiness"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are quite a few effective ways to treat orexin deficiency naturally. You may want to read first this article about orexins: The Link Between Orexin Deficiency And Fatigue, Muscle Weakness, Neurodegeneration and MS<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Let\u2019s start with diet and other lifestyle changes and therapies, then you will learn about vitamins for tiredness and lack of energy and some of the best energy supplements for chronic fatigue- including MS chronic fatigue. <\/strong><\/h3>\n
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  1. \n

     Diet<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
  2. \n

     Vagus Nerve Stimulation <\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
  3. \n

    Light Therapy<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
  4. \n

    Exercise <\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
  5. \n

    Cold Therapy<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
  6. \n

    Supplements For Fatigue and Sleepiness Associated With Orexin Deficiency<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    1.Diet<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Orexin neurons are activated by fasting and low sugar levels [1<\/a>]. This means that low carb diets including ketogenic diet, as well as fasting will stimulate orexins. Technical: the high concentrations of glucose and leptin tend to hyperpolarize orexinergic neurons, while low concentrations of glucose and ghrelin depolarize them [2<\/a>]. <\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Allowing your body to use alternate sources of energy for cells- ie pyruvate or lactate instead of glucose, does activate orexins. These alternate sources seem to stop glucose from blocking orexin neurons [3<\/a>].<\/i>You can increase lactate levels with fermented foods (pickled foods, kombucha, kefir, etc), olives and exercise (particularly high intensity exercise and resistance training).<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Orexins are activated by high protein diets [4<\/a>]. The top three aminoacids that activate orexins are glycine, aspartate and cysteine [5<\/a>]. BCAA (Branched Chain Amino Acids) leucine, isoleucine, and valine also seem helpful, as they can restore orexin levels after brain injury [6<\/a>].<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Fats, specifically triglycerides stimulate orexins as well [7<\/a>].<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Coffee: If you like coffee, you can have a few cups a day. Caffeine specifically activate orexin neurons, especially in perifornical region where orexin neurons are most concentrated [8<\/a>].<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    2.Vagus Nerve Stimulation <\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Vagus nerve stimulation promotes wakefulness through activating orexin system (this is one mechanism of action, as vagal nerve stimulation involves multiple mechanisms of action) [9<\/a>]. A few ways to stimulate vagus nerve include: deep breathing, yoga, meditation, exercise, cold showers, fasting, acupuncture, exercise, fish oil and probiotics. <\/strong><\/h3>\n

    3.Light Therapy<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Day light exposure stimulates orexins and has antidepressant qualities, and orexinergic system mediates the effects of light on mood [10<\/a>]. First thing in the morning, when you wake up you can  go outside and spend few minutes in the sun. This helps boost your serotonin levels as well. Alternatives: special lamps like SAD lamps. <\/strong><\/h3>\n

    4.Exercise <\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Exercise induces a significant increase of orexin A blood levels, with a peak at 30 min after the exercise bout [11<\/a>],[12<\/a>]. There are many benefits of exercise. Exercise enhances neurogenesis (the formation of new brain cells) in the hippocampus and the brain function, improves cognition and regulates mood. The underlying mechanisms include the boost in BDNF and the stimulation of orexins [13<\/a>].<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    5.Cold Therapy<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Cold therapy (via stress) can improve orexins levels [14<\/a>]. You can take a quick cold shower or try cryotherapy<\/a>. <\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Good to know: orexin neurons are happy when you are happy. Being happy increases orexin levels, as I was explaining in my other article<\/a>.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    6.Supplements For Fatigue and Sleepiness Associated With Orexin Deficiency<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    In other words, what are the best energy supplements for chronic fatigue ? A bit more tricky when it comes to natural supplements for treating orexin deficiency. Truth is, there is not too much research available, as orexins had been discovered only a couple of decades ago.  In addition, it is not easy to test orexin levels (they have to be obtained from cerebrospinal fluid), thus many studies had been done in animal studies. Even conventional medicine has to catch up with the research and create new drugs. When I looked at specific supplements for treating orexin deficiency, I considered the following:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    I.Studies that found supplements that specifically boost orexin levels- I mentioned caffeine, but there is some evidence that: <\/strong><\/h3>\n