Energy of Nutrition: Biological Medicine for More Lifeforce

Many people who come to the Paracelsus Clinic nowadays do not simply complain about a lack of energy. It is a deeper form of exhaustion: a heavy weight in the body, a feeling of inner depletion. Even after long hours of sleep, true recovery is missing, the mind remains foggy, and even the smallest tasks feel like climbing a mountain. This fatigue is more than just a lack of energy after a day of work. It shows that the body, in its fundamental functions, is overloaded and out of balance.

We live in a time that both overwhelms and under-challenges us: too many stimuli, too much food, too much information and at the same time too little movement, too little real rest, too little depth. Our body, a highly intelligent regulatory system, can no longer cope with this constant "too much" and "too convenient." This becomes particularly clear in the brain: although it relies on glucose as its primary fuel, it is precisely the fast-released sugars (white flour, sweets, soft drinks) that create the opposite effect; they overload the mitochondria, drive oxidative stress, and make us tired instead of alert.

Biological medicine does not see fatigue as an isolated symptom but as an expression of a deeper imbalance between metabolism, organs, immune system, psyche, and lifestyle. That is why at the Paracelsus Clinic, we try to look deeper and consider all aspects of life to then accompany our patients step by step back into their strength. This not only creates short-term relief but a profound transformation: the body regains its energy, the mind becomes clearer, the soul finds rest, and we can once again live to our full potential.

Fuel for Thought: The Brain Is an Energy-Hungry Organ

Our brain is the most energy-hungry organ in the body. Although it makes up only about 2% of our body weight, it consumes around 20% of our daily energy. Brain activity relies almost entirely on glucose (sugar) as its energy source, and sufficient glucose is needed for it to function effectively (1). Yet here lies the paradox: the brain depends on glucose as its main fuel, but ideally the body produces this energy itself, slowly and in a controlled manner, from complex carbohydrates such as vegetables, whole grains, or legumes. In this way, sugar is released step by step, the mitochondria work steadily, and the brain is supplied evenly.

The situation is quite different when we constantly consume rapidly available sugar sources such as white flour products, sweets, and soft drinks. The metabolism is massively overstrained, blood sugar spikes rapidly and then crashes just as quickly. The mitochondria fall out of balance, and oxidative stress and silent inflammation increases. The result is paradoxically not more energy, but fatigue, exhaustion, and, in the long term, neuroinflammation.

Especially in the brain, such processes can lead to an "energy bottleneck" over time, which has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. The nerve cells "starve" even though enough sugar is present because they can no longer process it properly (2).

This is where an ancient biological principle comes into play: fasting. When we stop feeding the body for several hours or days, it switches to another fuel: so-called ketone bodies, primarily beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). These ketones can be efficiently used by nerve cells even when glucose metabolism is impaired. At the same time, they have protective effects: BHB reduces oxidative stress, inhibits silent inflammation in the brain, and stabilizes the mitochondria. This allows the energy balance to partially recover, and nerve cells regain their functional capacity (3-5).

This explains why meal breaks, intermittent fasting, or ketogenic dietary phases can be such valuable impulses for brain health. They interrupt the vicious cycle of sugar dependence, energy deficiency, and cellular stress and open a pathway to greater clarity, concentration, and long-term protection of the brain.

Full stomach, heavy eyes: Digestion is hard work

Our energy balance is not determined only in the brain, but just as importantly in the gut. Digestion is, after the brain, one of the body’s largest energy consumers. We all know the feeling: After a full meal, we feel tired and lazy. That’s because the digestive system diverts enormous amounts of energy, leaving less available for clarity, concentration, and activity.

What matters is not only how much and what we eat but how well the body can actually digest and absorb the food. If the gut is overburdened, through constant eating, heavy meals, processed foods, or a weakened microbiome, then a disproportionate amount of energy is wasted on incomplete digestion. Particularly problematic are sugar fermentation (for example, from excessive sweets, poorly digested fruits and raw vegetables) and protein putrefaction (undigested proteins) in the intestine. These processes generate gases and toxic byproducts that not only drain energy but also place a heavy burden on the liver (6).

So, the liver is directly (via the portal vein) influenced by the intestinal health, and when the liver is overloaded with toxins, fermentation, and putrefaction products, the body lacks the strength for clarity, regeneration, and vitality. Fatigue, bloating, and difficulty concentrating are the direct consequences (7).

As so often, less is more. At Paracelsus, we focus on nutritional guidance for good digestion, eating routines, and conscious food choices. Our elimination diet is designed to heal the gut, improve digestion and support the liver. Restoring gut and liver health will mobilize vitality and life energy (8).

• Only 2–3 meals per day (more time for digestion and regeneration)
• Liver-friendly foods: bitter substances (e.g., chicory, dandelion), artichoke, turmeric
• Gut-friendly foods: fiber, fermented foods, no constant snacking

The Microbiome & Energy - How Bacteria Shape Your Performance

The trillions of bacteria in our gut are not passive passengers, but active co-creators of our health. They produce vitamins, train the immune system, regulate inflammation, and profoundly influence our energy balance. Especially important are those bacterial strains that convert dietary fiber into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as butyrate. These molecules not only provide direct fuel for intestinal cells but also act systemically, reaching the brain, where they help reduce inflammation and stabilize metabolism (6). To thrive, however, these bacteria need the right fuel.

Energy-supporting bacteria thrive on:

• Water-soluble fiber (from vegetables, legumes, oats, seeds)
• Fermented foods (sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, miso)
• Polyphenols (from colourful vegetables, berries, dark chocolate, olive oil)

Feeding your microbes regularly with these nutrients not only supports healthy digestion but also strengthens mitochondria, boosts energy production, and protects the brain from silent inflammation (7).

Microcirculation & Nutrition - Bringing Vital Nutrients into Every Cell

Even the best diet is ineffective if nutrients do not reach where they are needed. The key lies in microcirculation, blood flow through the tiniest capillaries. It ensures that organs, the brain, and muscles are optimally supplied with oxygen and nutrients (9).

What supports microcirculation:

• Omega-3 fatty acids (from algae oil)
• Polyphenols (from colourful vegetables, berries, dark chocolate, olive oil)
• Movement & cold exposure
• Beetroot, pomegranate, cayenne pepper – natural “circulation boosters”

Mitochondria & Nutrition - The Powerhouses Need the Right Fuel

Mitochondria are the "power plants" of our cells: they produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the universal energy currency every cell depends on. Thus, healthy mitochondria equate to more energy, better regeneration and clearer thinking. For this process to run smoothly, we need not only macronutrients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates) but also essential micronutrients such as Coenzyme Q10, B vitamins, magnesium, iron, carnitine, omega-3 fatty acids, and strong antioxidants (10).

But without the right "fuel supply" and protective measures, they come under stress. Excess sugar (especially rapidly available forms), micronutrient deficiencies, chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress impair mitochondrial function, leading to fatigue, reduced performance, and concentration problems.

A mitochondria-friendly diet means:

• Unprocessed, nutrient-dense foods
• Anti-inflammatory nutrition (e.g., leafy greens, berries, healthy fats)
• Avoiding toxins such as alcohol, pesticides, additives

By changing our diet (less sugar, more complex carbohydrates, high-quality fats), practicing fasting or intermittent fasting to relieve metabolic pathways, and using targeted micronutrient support, mitochondria receive what they need: the right "fuel" and protection against damage. Only then can true energy return.

• Nutrition: Ready-made meals, fast food, and sweet snacks are quick and convenient, but they pose an extra burden on the body. Instead of nourishing the body’s energy system, they flood it with empty calories and destabilize blood sugar. The consequence: energy highs and crashes, and a constant feeling of exhaustion (12).
• Movement: Comfortable transport, endless sitting, and digital entertainment save external effort, but they rob us of inner vitality. The body needs muscular activity and fresh air to activate mitochondria and release hormones like endorphins and serotonin. A lack of movement creates stagnation in the blood, in the lymphatic flow, and in thought.
• Overstimulation: Smartphones, screens, and constant noise bombard us with endless information and images. Even if we think we "swipe them away", the brain still processes each stimulus subconsciously. This consumes enormous amounts of energy, particularly glucose, making us tired, unfocused, and emotionally drained in the long run (13).
• Mind & soul: Convenience in the form of superficial distractions (social media, binge-watching, constant availability) may provide brief relief, but it overwhelms attention and robs us of depth. True regeneration comes not from consumption, but from silence, nature, and inner reflection.
• Artificial Intelligence: Here too lies the ambivalence of convenience. AI systems relieve us of thinking and reflecting. They provide ready-made answers, opinions, and images. This sounds liberating, but it fosters passivity: less independent thought, less judgment, less creativity. Over time, this leads to lethargy and susceptibility to influence, a state that undermines the human capacity for expanded consciousness (14).

Transformation in Health - From Consumption to Self-Responsibility

Health is not a possession, but a dynamic process that requires daily awareness and conscious decisions. Transformation means breaking free from old patterns of consumption and convenience, and stepping into a new level of self-responsibility. This path is not easy; it requires discipline, body awareness, and mindfulness, but it is very rewarding. Biological Medicine combines the willingness to change with effective therapeutic strategies that systematically regenerate the body and restore its natural balance.

• Ketogenic intervals and nutritional change: Temporary phases of fasting or intermittent fasting can help unburden the gut, stabilise metabolism, and activate cellular repair. In daily life, proper digestion remains central: fewer, but higher-quality meals rich in whole foods, fibre, and fermented products.
• Detoxification & milieu therapy: Overloaded systems such as the liver and gut are relieved by targeted detox measures (chelation therapies, liver detoxification program etc.), "silent inflammation" is reduced, and the internal milieu harmonised.
• Microbiome restoration: Through nutrition, probiotics, prebiotics, and colon-hydrotherapy, the gut flora is regenerated, restoring energy, immune function, and digestion.
• Regeneration therapies with infusions: Micronutrients, vitamins, trace elements, and coenzymes delivered intravenously support mitochondria, stabilise the nervous system, and accelerate healing.
• Mitochondrial therapy & oxygen: Methods such as IHHT (intermittent hypoxia-hyperoxia training) train cells to produce energy more efficiently. Combined with outdoor activity, this strengthens oxygen supply and cellular powerhouses.
• Holistic lifestyle therapy: Time in nature, stress reduction, breathwork, and sleep hygiene help regulate body rhythms and restore vitality.

More energy and vitality are often easier to achieve than we think. The key does not lie in "more", but in the conscious "less". Less sugar, less screen time, less distraction and in turn, more vital nutrients, more energy, more clarity, more aliveness.

At our clinic, we integrate biological medicine, modern therapies, and self-responsibility into a pathway that leads out of exhaustion into strength and the ability to live one’s full potential. If you feel that fatigue, heaviness, or inner depletion are defining your life, we invite you to walk this path with us.

In health,

Dr Sonja Lewandwoski, PhD

References

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