Your questions on tiredness and fatigue have been answered by Dr Dweck, Tru Niagen's expert

[JustineBMumsnet]

Juggling the demands of parenthood has become even more key during lockdown, with many managing to work a full time job from home, home educate their child and keep on top of the housework. It’s no surprise if wellness has fallen by the wayside and tiredness has crept up on you. To celebrate the release of Tru Niagen in the UK, Tru Niagen have provided Dr. Alyssa Dweck, to help answer your questions about tiredness or fatigue.

Here’s what Tru Niagen has to say: “As parents juggle the energetic demands of child-rearing and education in quarantine, many are unaware that they may benefit from an added supply of one essential molecule–NAD+. Tru Niagen® is clinically proven to generate NAD+. Newly launched in the UK, this star supplement promotes health at the cellular level. Tru Niagen® is thoroughly studied. Its sole active ingredient, nicotinamide riboside chloride (NRCI) is a powerful NAD+ precursor that has been validated by 9 clinical trials. Tru Niagen® contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, and supports normal psychological and nervous system functioning. Tru Niagen® also contributes to a normal, energy-yielding metabolism.”

Here’s some more information on Dr. Alyssa Dweck: “Dr Alyssa Dweck is a practising doctor and has served as a member of the Health Advisory Board of Family Circle magazine and contributes regularly to Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, SHAPE, Health and Seventeen. Dweck also lectures in Westchester County, NY public schools on subjects of sexual and women’s health. Dr. Dweck spends her free time running. She has competed in sprint triathlons. She resides in Westchester County, New York, with her husband, two sons, and girly English Bulldog.”

Here’s what Dr. Alyssa Dweck has to say: “My patients often inquire about and model my personal health routines. Where my personal health and the health of my patients are concerned, choosing ingredients rooted in quality and scientific rigor is a matter of principle. To put it simply–I need to walk the walk.

I turn to Tru Niagen® to help reduce tiredness and fatigue. As a mother, clinician, and athlete, my busy lifestyle demands sustained, reliable support. With extensive clinical research backing up its safety and efficacy, I trust that Tru Niagen® will deliver for me and my patients.”

Do you have questions about which vitamins and minerals help combat fatigue, or how diet changes can affect your energy levels? Maybe you have questions about the role exercise or caffeine plays when it comes to fatigue? Perhaps it’s Tru Niagen you have questions about and you’d like more information?

Whatever your questions about tiredness and fatigue, ask them below by the 15th June and you’ll be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £100 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Dr. Alyssa Dweck will be back at 3-4pm, Thursday 18th June to answer your questions.

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

@Elieza

It would appear to be Vitamin B3.

I currently take a multivitamin containing B1, B2, B6 and get injections of B12. What would B3 do for me that’s different to what I’m already taking and what improvements would I expect to notice based on clinical trials of people in the same boat?
Thanks

Hi Elieza! The B3 vitamins have one thing in common: they are all building blocks used to make more NAD+. Nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, and nicotinamide riboside can all be turned into NAD+, but our bodies use unique chemical pathways to produce NAD+ out of each B3. NAD+ contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, and normal psychological function.

@ButterflyOfFreedom

Could my caffeine intake be affecting my sleep - even though I make sure I have my last cup at least 4 hours before bedtime? Would cutting it out altogether help? I do suffer with struggling to sleep and general fatigue.

Yes, yes yes. Caffeine is a stimulant so it causes one to feel alert and ready to dive into action. Physiologically it increases breathing rate, blood pressure and heart rate, all of which can interfere with falling or staying asleep. In addition, caffeine is a diuretic and bladder irritant. It makes you have to urinate. This urge could surely interrupt restful sleep.

@PickledChicory

I'm probably a bit reliant on caffeine and could eat a bit better. I have an underactive thyroid but its well managed. Was also anemic but getting slowly better. However my main problem is broken sleep. A baby who is up in the night and a toddler who thinks morning time is when its light🙈 I feel when I do sleep my quality of sleep is pretty good but Im probably just not getting enough. Can this supplement really help?

Hi PickledChicory! It's worth a try. Tru Niagen® may very well contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, and normal psychological function.

@StillNoFuckingEyeDeer

Eating more vegetables and a plant-based diet makes me feel more energised. Do you think there's anything in it?

Most definitely yes! A well balanced plant based diet with healthy fats and protein will provide satiety and energy without the sugar high and crash and burn of a diet with processed foods, high starch and sugar diet. Lean meat based protein typically found in the mediterranean diet also provides many with a more energized day to day. the high fiber found in fruits /veggies and whole grains provides satiety and sustained glucose/insulin levels for a more energetic feel rather than peaks and valleys of energy

@AllNewThings

I would like to know what the truth is around 'sleep debt'. Is it really a thing and what period would it be calculated over? I often only get around 5 hrs a night during the week, but around 9 hrs at the weekend. Does it average out in terms of how the lack of sleep most nights affects my health?

Seems sleep debt is a thing… also seems easier to make it up in the short term. Sleep is a time of repair and refueling. Reasonable to catch up on a weekend for missed sleep in the several days prior to less sleep however it s unreasonable to try to make up for years of shift work and lack of sleep over a weekend.

@Nottheshrinkingcapgrandpa

why do you think that so many females who visit the GP about tiredness are dismissed so easily?

Fatigue is such a common complaint with so many possible etiologies; with that said, if fatigue is persistent, recurrent or worsening, it should be looked into more aggressively.

@Ibizama

I've been more tired in lockdown. Would this supliment help?

Hi Ibizama! It's certainly worth giving it a go. Tru Niagen® may contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatige, and a normal energy yielding metabolism, to name just a few of the possible benefits.

@Ratbagcatbag

I want to know why even if I seem to have a decent amount of sleep I still feel so tired the next day? I dream all night, and they're very vivid at the moment. I've been using meditation apps or sleep stories to send me off to sleep too. But I still wake and don't feel refreshed.

This boils down to both quality and quantity of sleep. Ideally 8 hours of good quality uninterrupted sleep is recommended. Good sleep hygiene includes minimizing/moderating caffeine and sugar, reducing stress so your busy mind doesn't keep you awake, powering down electronics especially smart phones (with blue light that alters melatonin levels and circadian rhythm) well before bed and making sure the sleep chamber is comfortable .. temperature, sleep clothes and bedding.

@Cotswoldmama

Do different people need different amounts if sleep? Is there an optimum amount. I find I only seem to sleep for 7-8 hours. But I do quite often feel tired in the day. Do I need more sleep?

The ideal amount of sleep is 8 hours, give or take. This requirement changes with age, hormonal status, medical issue and stress/depression. Remember it not just quantity of sleep but also quality.

@Montydoo

I suffer very heavy periods, and am extremely tired on the onset and for a few days after, I take iron supplements, is there anything which will help the tiredness and my iron levels without relying on supplements

Ideally one would check iron levels in blood to see if anemia is present and if so, how severe it is. I would also recommend checking thyroid function since this reflects metablism in general.. Consider iron containing foods in addition to supplements and if needed address the underlying cause of heavy periods to get to the root of the problem.

@CompleteBarstool

When a woman becomes perimenopausal and then menopausal how does her need for vitamins and minerals change to combat tiredness and fatigue?

The mediterranean diet is ideal for this group of women; its naturally low in carbs, processed foods, sugars and relies on lean protein and plenty of fiber from fruits and veggies to maintain satiety and avoid sugar highs and crashes. Supplemental vitamin D may be needed particularly for strong bones but also for overal health and immunity. Calcium is best obtained through dietary source. I recommend TruNiagen for cellular health and a normal energy yielding metabolism.

@TellMeItsNotTrue

I struggle with chronic fatigue syndrome, amongst other things, is there anything you can recommend that would "wake me up" when I'm particularly struggling? I manage it as best I can but sometimes I will have times where I am literally struggling to keep my eyes open, and often there doesn't seem to be rhyme or reason as to when these occur

Please consider seeing a specialist in autoimmune conditions … a rheumatologist or immunologist may have suggestions to help relieve the underlying problem

@Oliversmumsarmy

I am post menopause and even on melatonin can only manage usually 5.5 hours sleep per night and am constantly exhausted during the day.

As this is linked to vitamin B3 what would be the difference between taking Tru Niagen and vitamin B3

I suggest a consultation with an endocrinologist and a full physical and blood panel with an internist to check for other potential abnormalitie including anemia, chronic fatigue, lymes disease and other autoimmune conditions. Screening for depression would be part of a good history. Other than these general recommendations I cannot comment on your individual situation.

The B3 vitamins have one thing in common: they are all building blocks cells can use to make more NAD+. Niacin, nicotinamide, and nicotinamide riboside can all be turned into NAD+, but cells use different recipes that require different amounts of energy and numbers of steps to make NAD+ out of each B3. Some forms of B3s also come with some unwelcome side effects: niacin can cause an uncomfortable flushing response while nicotinamide can inhibit the activity of cellular health-promoting sirtuins.

@pushchairprincess

I have broken nights sleep, but manage to get 5 hours a night normally, so feel pretty exhausted all of the time, I try baths and controlled breathing in bed to get off, I think I am overthinking this - any tips to get an unbroken nights sleep ?

Focus on sleep hygeine

1. avoid caffeine/sugar late in day
2. hit the ladies room just before bed to avoid sleep interruption
3. shut down electronics an hour before bed smart phone in particular has exposure to blue light which interferes with melatonin and sleep cycles
4. make room cool
5. insure comfortable sleep clothes
6. if sleep partner snores, try to correct that

@MiconiumHappens

Across my extended family we have a good mix of ectomorph and endomorph body types.

With the edomorphs never struggling with sleep issues, and the ectomorphs either having sleep issues or are able to operate off very little sleep and seem a little more "wired" in terms of simply never being able to lie in.

Is there any link between body types and sleep routines?

Hi MiconiumHappens. Being overweight might interfere with restful sleep; some suffer with sleep apnea (fits of holding breath and then gasping for air as a reflex) or snoring both of which can provide non-restful sleep. Reflux of stomach acid and discomfort from laying down after a full meal is more common when overweight. Perspiration at night, especially during the perimenopausal transitition may prove more uncomforable in overweight women.

@blackleggingsandatshirt

I get so tired sometimes it makes me feel physically nauseous, I have tried to get 40 winks during the day, which makes me feel more tired when I get 30 minutes or so - does an afternoon nap help ? should I just battle the tiredness and have an earlier night (my children sleep through now but I wake up every 3 hours or so when they used to - and I am always listening for crying in the night -) I need to train my brain to relax - but how ?

Hi Blackleggingsandatshirt, This is a tough one since once you're a mom, sleep never seems to be as sound. Perhaps if you use a baby monitor to hear crying, you will get a more restful sleep when you note all is quiet

@BellaVida

All I could find is that is is based on a form of B vitamin? Does it contain any other vitamins and minerals? I take a complete supplement at the moment, so is this something you would take on top of that? Also, I can’t find anywhere if it is vegetarian or vegan?

Hi BellaVida! Yes, it is safe to take Tru Niagen® while taking a standard multivitamin. The recommended total daily intake of Tru Niagen® is 300mg. Tru Niagen® contains nicotinamide riboside, which is not the same as the vitamin B3 sources found in multivitamin products. Tru Niagen® is efficiently converted to NAD+ using a unique pathway different from other forms of vitamin B3 (e.g. niacin, nicotinamide) found in vitamin supplements. Tru Niagen® has been studied in clinical trials and proven safe and effective for supporting NAD+.

Multivitamins are designed to provide the daily recommended values for essential vitamins and minerals and are appropriately balanced so they don’t contain high doses of any one vitamin or mineral. Always check the label and consult your healthcare professional with any questions. Lastly, Tru Niagen® capsules are vegetarian.

@bluefoxmug

gosh you lot are harsh but I am glad you ask those questions. it's important to look beyond the marketing.

I keep hearing about melatonin as wonderdrug for sleep. is it worth trying? I'm in my mid 40s and sometimes have trouble falling asleep. which then leaves me tired...

Hi there, yes it surely is… melatonin has reasonable study to suggest safety and efficacy for sleep troubles and jet lag

@ohdannyboy

What is the best way of combatting tiredness when you are a shift worker - I work in a supermarket and have been working 4am til 10 am, and although I have a nap at 6 pm - should I avoid the nap and go to bed earlier - I am worried what this is doing to my internal body clock

Hi Ohdannyboy, another tough one, which as an obstetrician for so many years, I can surely relate to…. Sleep at night when you are able. Allow yourself a few hours after your night shift for sleep. Some find melatonin helpful to right the circadian rhythm changes inherent with shift work.

Bloody hell, £40 for a month's supply on Amazon?! I'd expect at least a better website, and a miracle, for that price.

The clinical evidence is lacking. It is possible to link to a study from a website without copyright issues so there is no reason to be hiding this evidence.
I suspect this is rubbish I'm afraid.

This thread is an absolute embarrassment, @JustineBMumsnet. Can you defend it? If so, please do. Many measured and insightful questions posted about the lack of published research to back this product up, and not a single one answered. It’s disrespectful to your members to let this stand.

@ButterflyOfFreedom

Could my caffeine intake be affecting my sleep - even though I make sure I have my last cup at least 4 hours before bedtime? Would cutting it out altogether help? I do suffer with struggling to sleep and general fatigue.

Caffeine in tea or coffee definitely affects my sleep nowadays ( it didn't at all until I got to my 40s). I only drink caffeine before about noon nowadays and not every day. This means I can still have my morning coffee sometimes. . That gives it 10-12 hours that clear my system. Otherwise I stick to decaff options. That seems to work for me but maybe try giving it up for a bit to see if it helps

Hi Ibizama! It's certainly worth giving it a go. Tru Niagen® may contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatige, and a normal energy yielding metabolism, to name just a few of the possible benefits

Might and possible. I guess if there’s been no meaningful testing then yes there are all sorts of possible benefits. It might help anything.

The, it’s worth a try, answers are a bit embarrassing. She states it’s a long term supplement. At £480pa I’d want a little more evidence or persuasion than it’s worth a go.