Dr Julius Parker: Tiredness and growing pains

Q I’ve just turned 40 and am a reasonably fit male. Recently, I’ve noticed I seem to bemore tired all the time, no matter how much sleep I get. Last week, I went for a short jog and was shocked by how exhausted I felt afterwards. I’ve been a vegetarian for ten years and am wondering if something is missing from my diet.

A. There are many causes for tiredness, but if this symptom is persistent and affecting your normal day-to-day activities you do need to investigate this further. It is possible a strictly vegetarian or vegan diet could be an underlying cause.

This is because the best absorbed sources of iron, and only source of vitamin B12, are foods of animal origin, including meat and poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products. Your body needs iron, Vitamin B12, and folate, which is available from cereals and vegetables; to make red blood cells. If red cell levels only gradually decline your body can initially adapt to this. However, over time, or if you make an increased effort such as running, you will notice symptoms of tiredness. You may also notice palpations, a feeling of your heart thumping in your chest.