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What Can Help Unbearable Sleepiness After Eating?Posted By Judy (Kansas City, Mo) on 06/22/2015
Replied by Om (Hope, Bc, Canada) on 06/22/2015
This is a problem I have had for most of my life. Exactly as you describe. But when I developed a personal interest in Ayurveda, things looked up.
Mind you, I have slipped in the daily practice, but always come back to the marvellous concept of "fire" or agni, which I always the first concern of a Vaidya (Dr) as everything in health depends on it. This is not found in Western meds.
What we assimilate is what creates the balance or imbalance, when not digested, in the body.
The primary med is TRIPHALA or three fruits, famous and present in many other meds in Ayurvedic practice. This is good with honey, one teasp. in warm water. It rejuvenates the digestive tract and balances the processes.
The other simple and effective remedy is the "universal remedy", namely ginger tea from the root. This is very refreshing and effective summer or winter with the meal. I take several slices in three cups of water and boil it down a bit. The remaining slices can be used once again, even the next day. I add a tiny pinch of fennel seeds or dill seeds; each of them do good things internally.
Look it up on the 'net and you will marvel at the wisdom of Ayurvedic remedies. The other very good help for digestion before a meal is a slice of fresh ginger with a couple of drops of lemon and Celtic salt. That helps in the digestion of all sorts of things. With all these, start with less and adjust.
The spices in an Indian meal are for good digestion and not to be confused with hot condiments.
Keep in touch and let EC know how you fare.
Namaste, Om
Replied by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 06/22/2015
Sleepiness after eating...
Good guess is a carb metabolism/digestion problem. Is the problem usually more aggravated with breads and carbs or ALL food, even zero carb?
Try drinking during meals a half teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar in a glass of water.
Also tablets of probiotics.
If carb related leave off carbs as much as possible.
Food incompatibility is something I was found with. So I should not eat white potatoes and beans. White bread is off my list. Have yourself tested.
Someone with such an extreme case might have this as a preliminary to other digestion issues...colitis for instance. My theory on many issues is there may be a virus at work and so if me I'd drink three tablespoons of colloidal silver 30 ppm or so, twice daily for two weeks. If condition improved, that might mean there was indeed an infection and I'd keep up protocol for three months.
I presume no other obvious issues...pain in lower track....extreme gas.... very loose elimination etc.
Replied by Wendy (Columbus, Oh) on 06/23/2015
Replied by Sam (Miami) on 06/23/2015
Key points from an article by Chris Kresser:
... "Far more important than a single fasting blood glucose reading is the number of hours a day our blood sugar spends elevated over the level known to cause complications, which is roughly 140 mg/dl (7.7 mmol/L)."
..."Your post-meal blood sugars and A1c levels are more important..."
... "Prolonged exposure to blood sugars above 140 mg/dL causes irreversible beta cell loss (the beta cells produce insulin) and nerve damage..."
See chriskresser.com Why your normal blood sugar isn't normal (Part 2), for more information.
Replied by Sam (Miami) on 06/23/2015
You can try some supplements and remedies that other people recommend, but I would not do it until after the testing.
On Jingherbsradio you will find many podcasts, all of which I recommend you listen, but there is one for digestion, specifically. I don't know if EC will publish the link, sometime they do and sometime the don't, but here it is Digestion in TCM. It is somewhat similar to the Ayurveda view on digestion.
Replied by Sam (Miami) on 06/26/2015
It touches tiredness after a meal issue, which is about insulin/cortisol relations.
Another interesting thing I have learned from the video is insomnia, types and causes. For example "when you blood sugar drops at night, body starts to release cortisol to increase blood sugar, but if your cortisol output is low adrenals kick in and start releasing adrenaline and a person wakes up". Who knew????
Recommend to watch everyone with any health issue.
Replied by Sam (Miami) on 06/26/2015
The summary of what I have learned from the first 40 min of interview, before it stopped:
Cerebellum degeneration can cause dizziness and vertigo, which in turn can be a side effect of gluten sensitivity. Constipation, loss of smell and body stiffness could be the first signs of Parkinson. He talks about insomnia?different types, different causes..cortisol/insulin relation - Interesting - when your blood sugar drops at night, your body starts to release cortisol to increase blood sugar, but if your cortisol output is low, adrenals kick in and start releasing adrenaline and a person wakes up. Melatonin is not recommended. Cortisol and melatonin are antagonists. When you start taking melatonin you start throwing off your adrenals function.
He also talks about tiredness after a meal, cortisol/insulin relation.
