If you feel tired and awful ALL the time, READ THIS!

For the past two years of being on this weight control journey and some time prior, I haven't felt well at all. Everyone on MFP always talks about how great they feel while eating healthy, after a work out,, etc. I was extremely depressed, anxious, nauseous, dizzy, brain foggy, had ZERO sex drive, and absolutely no energy or motivation to do ANYTHING, just to name a few. I went to doctors and was told I was depressed and needed to see a psychiatrist. But although I FELT depressed, I knew I didn't have the brain of a depressed person, if that makes sense. I knew I WANTED to feel better and my brain was trying to but my body wasn't cooperating. I didn't want to be drugged up and sent on my way. I felt like my depression wasn't the problem but only a symptom of the problem.

This went on for about three years. Typing this now, I can't believe I lived that way. I got to the point where feeling like that was a new normal.

Then about 3 or 4 months ago, I was in a hurry to try to find something healthy for breakfast. All we really had was oatmeal. I didn't want to eat just plain oatmeal and I needed more calories. My husband's uncle had been staying with us and we joke with him about the "weird" food that he buys. He had left some flax seeds out, which I had never tried before but I knew they were supposed to be healthy so I mixed a scoop in with my oatmeal and quickly ate and ran out the door without giving it much thought.

On the hour long drive to work that day, I gradually started feeling better and better. I couldn't believe it. The only way to even describe it was that I felt normal. Not like I had superpowers, not like I could run a marathon. I just felt normal and it was the most amazing feeling ever. I had forgotten what it felt like. I got so much accomplished that day. I knew I had to have done something different but I couldn't think of what it was until I remembered the flax seeds. I ate them again the next day and felt the same way.

Without turning this post into a novel, I did some independent research and found that one of the main things that flax seeds are packed with is manganese. Manganese deficiency can cause depression, anxiety, lethargy, apathy, etc. and so forth. All the symptoms that I had. But I had never even considered a mineral deficiency because I was taking a multivitamin religiously.

After reading the label, it was just that. A multiVITAMIN. It contained no minerals.

After confirming this theory with my doctor, she determined that I was, in fact, dangerously deficient in both manganese and magnesium. I switched supplements right away.

I can tell you now that I've never felt better in my life. My relationships are improving, I do better at work, I get along better with my husband and my weight is finally on the decline again.

Moral of the story: PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR MULTIVITAMIN!! Don't just assume that your symptoms are something else besides a vitamin or mineral deficiency just because you're taking a multivitamin. Everyone always says, "There is no magic pill," for whatever ailment you're dealing with but when it comes to a deficiency, a supplement can be your magic pill.

This is my story. I'm not a doctor and have no medical training, so definitely talk to your doctor if you think you might be deficient in something but don't just assume that he/she will know. The same doctor that told me I was simply depressed and had no physical symptoms was the same one who ultimately diagnosed my mineral deficiency.

I hope this helps someone!