Fatigue & Low Energy Treatment in Los Angeles, CA
If you are easily fatigued, always tired, or struggling with low energy, your symptoms may be connected to your digestive health or nutrition. At LA Integrative Gastroenterology & Nutrition in Century City, Farshid Sam Rahbar, MD, FACP, ABIHM, and our team blend Western and integrative medicine to uncover the cause of your fatigue, restore your energy, and improve your overall health.
Request an AppointmentUnderstanding Fatigue and Low Energy
Fatigue is more than feeling sleepy. It is a persistent lack of physical and mental energy that does not fully improve with rest and can affect motivation, mood, concentration, and the ability to keep up with work, family, and exercise. Everyone experiences low energy from time to time due to stress or overexertion, but fatigue that lingers for weeks or months is a signal that something deeper needs attention. Restoring normal energy depends on identifying the cause and treating it correctly.
The Gut–Energy Connection
Your digestive system turns food into the nutrients your cells need to produce energy. When digestion or absorption is impaired, energy production suffers even if you eat a healthy diet. Gut-related contributors to fatigue include:
- Malabsorption of iron, vitamin B12, folate, magnesium, and other key nutrients
- SIBO and dysbiosis that compete for nutrients and create inflammation
- Food sensitivities that trigger ongoing immune activation
- Low stomach acid that impairs protein and mineral absorption
- Chronic intestinal inflammation, such as colitis or celiac disease
- Elevated oxidative stress and systemic inflammation
Other Common Causes of Fatigue
Fatigue can also be a symptom of many other conditions, which is why a thorough medical evaluation is important. Possible causes include anemia, thyroid disorders, sleep disorders, depression, certain medications, alcohol or drug use, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, hepatitis C, autoimmune disease, arthritis, fibromyalgia, Addison’s disease, chronic infections such as Lyme disease, malnutrition, eating disorders, and cancer.
How We Evaluate and Treat Fatigue
Our physicians, who combine gastroenterology training with integrative medicine, take a comprehensive approach to uncover what is draining your energy. Your evaluation may include a detailed history and exam, a comprehensive nutritional assessment, lab testing for nutrient levels, thyroid and hormone function, and inflammation, and digestive testing such as an intestinal breath test to identify SIBO and food intolerance.
Treatment is tailored to your results and may include correcting nutrient deficiencies with personalized nutrients, treating gut infections or overgrowth, customized nutrition plans, inflammation control, and diet and lifestyle education focused on sleep, stress, and activity. For patients interested in long-term vitality, our anti-aging medicine services offer additional support.
Fatigue & Low Energy FAQs
How is nutrition related to fatigue?
Your body needs adequate iron, B vitamins, magnesium, protein, and other nutrients to produce energy. Poor intake or poor absorption from digestive problems can lead to deficiencies that cause fatigue. A comprehensive nutritional assessment helps identify these gaps.
Can SIBO cause fatigue?
Yes. SIBO can interfere with nutrient absorption, especially vitamin B12 and iron, and create inflammation that contributes to fatigue and brain fog.
What is an intestinal breath test?
An intestinal breath test is a simple, non-invasive test that measures hydrogen and methane gases produced by intestinal bacteria. It helps diagnose SIBO and carbohydrate intolerances, and kits can be completed at home.
Why does stomach acid matter for energy?
Stomach acid is essential for digesting protein and absorbing minerals such as iron, zinc, and B12. Low stomach acid can contribute to nutrient deficiencies, bloating, and fatigue.
How can your practice help with diet and lifestyle?
We provide nutritional recommendations customized to your needs, along with guidance on sleep, stress, and activity through our diet and lifestyle education services.
When should I see a doctor about fatigue?
See a doctor if fatigue lasts more than a few weeks, interferes with daily life, or comes with symptoms such as weight loss, fever, shortness of breath, or changes in bowel habits.
Restore Your Energy in Los Angeles, CA
You do not have to keep feeling exhausted. Call LA Integrative Gastroenterology & Nutrition at (310) 289-8000 to schedule a comprehensive evaluation, or continue reading about colitis.