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📖 Donguibogam > Neijing Pian (Chapter of the Inner Canon)
Why You Still Feel Tired Even After Taking Nutritional Supplements
Translation Disclaimer
This content is a carefully translated version of traditional Korean medical records (Donguibogam) and its modern interpretations. While prepared by specialized medical translators, it is provided for informational purposes only. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health decisions.
Modern Symptoms
Why are we experiencing this pain?
"Do you wake up feeling heavy, with your head still cloudy even after several cups of coffee? Perhaps you take nutritional supplements every morning, yet still find yourself wondering, 'Why do I always feel tired?' Are you comforting yourself with 'Is this just how it is at this age?' and becoming accustomed to persistent fatigue? In reality, your fatigue may not simply be a matter of lack of sleep or nutritional deficiencies."
Modern Medical Proof
Modern Science Reveals the True Cause of Chronic Fatigue: Mitochondria and Hormonal Imbalances
When we look at Donguibogam's concept of 'Essence' through the lens of modern science, we find a remarkable alignment with the complex systems that sustain vitality deep within our bodies. The chronic fatigue we experience is likely not just a problem that can be solved by more sleep or a few vitamin pills, but rather the result of a breakdown in our body's fundamental energy production system and stress response framework.
The first thing that comes to mind is 'mitochondria'. Mitochondria can be described as tiny powerhouses present in all cells in our bodies. They burn nutrients like carbohydrates and fats to produce bioenergy called ATP. If Donguibogam's 'essence' is the fundamental essence of life activities, then in modern science, mitochondria can be analogized as the core organ that produces this energy. If mitochondria are damaged or their function declines, cells cannot sufficiently produce energy, and our bodies experience a deep feeling of fatigue, as if our battery has been discharged. Excessive stress, toxin exposure, irregular eating habits, and chronic inflammation are the main culprits that degrade mitochondrial function.
Equally important is our body's 'stress response system,' or HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis). The kidney Qi function, once considered the storehouse of 'essence,' is deeply connected to adrenal gland function in modern medicine. Adrenal glands secrete cortisol, the stress hormone, to help us cope with stress situations and maintain energy. However, continuous exposure to chronic stress can lead to the HPA axis becoming excessively activated and eventually exhausted, resulting in a state of 'adrenal fatigue or adrenal dysregulation.' At this point, cortisol secretion patterns become disturbed, leading to a disrupted biological rhythm (such as feeling low energy in the morning and difficulty sleeping at night), and various symptoms like brain fog, decreased immunity, and mood changes appear alongside chronic fatigue. This is similar to a state where 'essence' is depleted and the body's balance is disrupted.
Furthermore, recent research highlights the connection between 'neuroinflammation' and chronic fatigue. If gut health deteriorates or one suffers from chronic stress, microinflammation can occur throughout the body, and if this inflammation affects the brain, the balance of neurotransmitters can be disrupted, brain function can decrease, and it can induce mental fatigue, decreased concentration, and a feeling of weakness throughout the body. This understanding aligns with the concept of 'essence': even if a lot of nutritional supplements are consumed, if there is severe inflammation in the body, nutrient absorption and utilization will not occur properly, making it difficult to see effects.
In conclusion, feeling tired even after taking nutritional supplements may not simply be due to a lack of a specific nutrient, but rather a sign that our body's mitochondria are not functioning correctly, or that our endocrine system for coping with stress is faulty, or that the body is constantly suffering due to systemic inflammation. The depletion of 'essence' as described in Donguibogam is a concept that encompasses all these complex issues, thus containing wisdom for our body's fundamental recovery.
Small Habits to Replenish Your Body's 'Essence' Starting Today
2 steps you can take right now
1
Ensure you get deep sleep every night between 10 PM and 2 AM. This period is the 'golden hour' when our body's hormones and cells are most actively regenerating. Stay away from your smartphone for an hour before bed, and try a foot bath in warm water to relax your body.
2
Eat your food slowly and sufficiently, like a nourishing tonic. It's especially beneficial to focus on natural foods rich in Earth Qi, such as root vegetables, nuts, and seasonal fruits, rather than processed foods. When your stomach is comfortable, Qi will spring forth.
Traditional Wisdom
The Deepest Root of Life: 'Essence,' as Taught by Donguibogam
In our bodies, there is a fundamental essence that, though invisible, supports all life activities. Donguibogam called this essence 'Essence'. Like the strong root of a tree deeply rooted in the earth, or the wax of a candle illuminating the darkness, essence is the core raw material and storehouse that produces all vitality in our bodies.
Essence can be largely divided into two types. One is 'prenatal essence,' inherited from our parents, which is like the innate life battery capacity we are born with. The other is 'postnatal essence,' which we replenish daily through food, rest, and mental and emotional well-being. It was believed that by cultivating this acquired essence well, one could conserve prenatal essence and use it healthily.
Donguibogam explains that essence is stored in a place called the kidney in our body. The kidney mentioned here does not refer solely to the kidney as understood in modern medicine. It's easier to understand it as an 'essence center' that is deeply involved in a wide range of functions, including the source of life essence, growth, development, reproduction, and aging. When essence is abundant, our physical foundation feels light, our spirit is clear, we experience fewer frequent minor illnesses like the common cold, and resilience is quick. Vitality overflows, and our skin glows.
However, excessive stress, an irregular lifestyle, excessive depletion (such as staying up all night, all-nighter work, or excessive sexual activity leading to night sweats), and a poor diet are the main culprits that erode essence. When essence depletion begins, it's like our body's battery slowly discharging, so no matter how many good nutritional supplements we take or how much sufficient rest we get, we don't feel a deep, surging strength from within. We easily become fatigued, our memory decreases, concentration becomes difficult, our immunity weakens, leading to frequent common colds, and even our mental and emotional vitality can decline, making us feel low energy. Donguibogam viewed chronic fatigue caused by a deficiency of essence not as a mere symptom, but as a warning that our body's vitality was being depleted. Therefore, it emphasized that true recovery must begin not by simply eliminating outward symptoms, but by replenishing the root of life's essence.
Original Donguibogam Record
精者 乃生之本也.
The vital essence is, indeed, the fundamental root of life.
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Author: AI Donguibogam Research Team
We analyze Heo Jun's 'Donguibogam', a UNESCO Memory of the World, using modern data science and AI. Our goal is to reinterpret the wisdom of traditional medicine hidden in ancient texts to suit the lifestyles of busy modern people and deliver it in an easy-to-understand way.
Caution (Disclaimer): This content is for providing health information based on historical literature and cannot replace medical diagnosis and treatment. If you have any health problems, please consult a specialist (doctor/oriental medical doctor).