FOOD AND FATIGUE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18089, 13 May 1922, Page 1 (Supplement)

FOOD AND FATIGUE.

A REAL RELATIONSHIP.

T\Y WILLIAM C. FAGK.

Upon primary and superficial consideration it will perhaps bo difficult to discern any appreciable connection between our daily food, and the perplexing, effi-ciency-reducing fatigue that is to day threatening tho general' well being of so many. But if our observations are carried further so as to include fundamentals, then wo at once find a relationship which is unfortunately only too real. This alliance of food with fatigue creates a deadly cycle, ever cumulative in its action, and, where unchecked or misunderstood, it becomes tho greatest possible menace to both body and soul. In this day of excessivo food-refinement with its consequent lowered physical resistance, the body-kilUng, soul-sicken-ing toxins of fatigue have full sway and, being no respecters of persons or positions, they become at ono and the same timo bold an individual and a racial consideration. For where this accumulation is uncontrolled it metaphorically batters down tho door of resistance, and slowly ! but sorely tho harassing poison enters I every walk of life—industrial, social, roI ereational, educational, and domestic. Fatigue is something more deadly and more subtle than a mere depletion of c*)ll-contcnfa through enorgv-expenditure. Such an exhaustion may in a way be replaced without the secondary consequences of tho original expenditure having been first rectified or removed. It is with this end-product of energy-gener-ation that wet hava to deal, so >t might be said that fatigue is the action of tho uncontrolled by-product of energy-gener-ation, rather than tho exhaustion of energy itself.

Cause of Fatigue. Then you will ask: " Just what is fatigue? " But before answering let it be clearly understood that fatigue of any description—be it of body or brain, of muscle or of nerve —is purely a chemical phenomenon. Any expression of energy —from the minimum required for mere living to the maximum generated during prolonged and strenuous exertion —results in a certain cell-destruction, or retrograde (issue metamorphosis, which varies according to the energy generated. Such change in tissue through cell-des-truction —called by many catabolisrn —is productive of specific chemic substances; some of these waste-products have been termed " fatigue substances." Further, within quite recent years it baa been determined that these fatigue-causing toxins are acid in character and reaction. So to answer the question as to what fatigue really is, lot us put it this way : " Fatigue is tho accumulation within the system —faster than they can be neutralised or excreted —of the acid end-products of energy-expenditure, with its consequent catabolisrn, or cell-destruction."

Typical Experiments. Experiments in this field of research have been numerous, but a couple will suffice as typifications. A fresh healthy muscle of a frog's leg. stimulated by electricity, was marie to contract in the same manner as during life. The contractions were continued with increasing rapidity ■until the muscle resisted further contraction : examination then showed its tissues to Contain the toxic fatigue substances already mentioned. These proved to be of acid constitution, and when flushed from the tissues by a weak saline solution, the muscle—as though rested — could be stimulated to further contractions. la another instance portions of muscle were cut from living animals sorely fatigued bv their own exertions, and from this muscle-tissue were, extracted specific poisons which could never he recovered from healthy muscle in a state of vest. These oxtracted toxins were then injected into the bodies of rested animals, who almost immediately began to manifest every symplon of naturally-produced fatipue. All research in this direction confirms the fact that a muscle or nerve in fatigue is extremely acid in reaction, in contrast to the same tissues in repose, which are then always alkaline. Chief among the faticroe substances we find creatine, lactic acid, and carbon dioxide; but the startling fact is, that an unbalanced diet of meats, refined flour, and refined sugar will also produce in the tissues .these identical substances.

Selection of Poods. I have previously shown that, such a diet of refined, acid-forming foods, fails to supply the body with sufficient alkalies for its use under ordinary living conditions. We now see how doubly perilous these foodstuffs become when the body is under stress of fatigue, for not only do they fail to contribute the- alkalinity for the neutralisation of the- fatigue acids, but they also make an addition of the same 'toxins to the excess that the body is already labouring under. Is not the relationship between refined food and fatigue, together with the vicious circle that such relationship begets, now perfectly obvious? And is not the moral in the whole question as equally clear? Briefly, the acid-forming, fatigue-producing refined flours and sugars must be replaced by wholemeal and natural sugars, ■while fresh and dried fruits, together with prom salads must bo more abundantly used to counteract, the evil effects that meats by themselves will produce.

Industrial Fatigue. The control of indus'trial fatiguo is one of the most, vital and urgent questions of the day, and it is engaging tho attention of the ablest psychologists and physiologists.' Large industrial concerns in Europe and America are employing these experts in an advisoi-y capacity to report the best combative measures. Prolonged exertion has been proved to be productive of less efficient results, than labour performed witli alternating periods of rest. The five-day-week has proved satisfactory where the ex'tra leisuro hours ape not dissipated in too fatiguing recreations. But a scheme for the cessation of labours a half day in mid-week, as well as from midday Saturday until Monday morn, has been logically provoscd as being likely to give better results than oven the continuous five-day-week. Certainly this suggestion present* numerous obstacles of disorganisation, but wo may rest assured that as time proceeds, the plans which experience proves bos!, will be universally adopted ; for uncontrolled fatigue is the greatest reducer of efficiency in both labour and production, and any measures which will successfully Combat it will be welcomed by Capital and Labour alike. Noise, monotony, and any lack of interest in labour performed all act through the psychology adversely upon the physiology, and so upon production. Then, we have lost th« knowledge of how to Completely relax cither body or brain, or both. Wo fail to seo even the necessity for what the lower animals live by instinctively, yet periods of proper relaxation and convenient sanctuaries where such may be had r.re often imperative. Excessive food of even the best variety is a prime retardcr of tho best mental and physical efforts; the merest snack Bbould 'suffice durii'j; work hours, tho principal meal of tin day being eaten after a period of rest following cessation of 'toil. So the rest-room becomes a moro im]>orta.nt institution than the restaurant, and it is here that the psychology of colours may bo applied to advantage. The female of tho species may havo at ono time been able to stvnd life's strain US oasilv as the male; bul woman of today is wholly unfitted to equally face tho stress of modern industrial life with man. With her more sensitively constructed organism, and highly complex generative functioning, woman falls an easy prey to the insidious workings of fatigue; and in any scheme of human emancipation ishe miistt be the first consideration.