Whether you are preparing to seize the day, hit the road on an afternoon escapade, or hitting the gym, you always need an ample amount of energy.
Sure you can get some energy from the food you eat or drinks you down, but are you really getting enough? That’s where vitamins can sweep in to save the day! In this guide, we’ll discuss in detail how vitamins and supplements can benefit your energy levels and, of course, give you our picks for the best vitamins for energy.
Let’s get going!
Can Vitamins And Supplements Provide Energy?
We are always on the go, and the result of that puts us in a state of exhaustion. We are all hard workers and believe it or not, even when we are supposed to be resting, we have this tendency to go on and continue working. This is because we believe that the set hours for the day are not enough to accommodate all the things we want to do.
Truly, it is important not to burn out. And if you have a vitamin deficiency, then that is easy to do. That is why the vitamins we are going to tackle are the vitamins that can help us fight fatigue and in turn, keep our energy revving up. These best vitamins for energy will help rejuvenate you in a natural way, as opposed to many energy supplements on the market these days.
Should You Take Vitamins For Energy?
Chances are if you’ve spent any time on social media you’ve seen a variety of energy supplements in your feed, whether it’s an ad placed by the platform itself, or a post by a friend. Energy supplements have become increasingly popular over the last couple of years and many find themselves in search of an energy boost.
When you try to determine if you should take a vitamin for energy, it’s important to understand that glucose sits at the core of most energy problems. Glucose is the number one energy source in the body for the red blood cell, and red blood cells need glucose to function. Luckily, supplementing with vitamins can help keep red blood cells healthy as well.
Boosting your energy levels is crucial to stay focused throughout the day, and in beating the classic afternoon slump. There are many different products on the market, and ones that are tailored to specific health benefits, so deciding which supplement to take is up to you. From vitamin D to energy drinks, to iron supplements and vitamin b12 supplements, there are countless supplements to choose from.
Benefits Of Vitamins For Energy
Before we dive into the best vitamins for energy, here are the overview benefits of taking energy vitamins in general:
- Increases mental awareness, alertness, and attention
- Helps in memory retention
- Fights off fatigue and exhaustion
- Other disorders are treated as a result of providing energy
Best Vitamins For Energy
There are many different vitamins on the market, and choosing one can be difficult to navigate. Today we will introduce six of the top supplements you can take to naturally increase energy.
Adding these to your diet can help boost your energy, without the negative side effects that come with many energy boosters like coffee or caffeine-filled beverages.
1. Ashwagandha
You may have never heard of this herb before, but Ashwagandha will surely blow your mind. A small evergreen shrub that grows in specific parts of the Middle East, Africa, and Africa, its roots and berries are often used for medicines.
People commonly use Ashwagandha as a stress reliever. While it may not be backed up by science, others are claiming that it can be used as an adaptogen for many conditions. If you’re looking for an ashwagandha supplement, Physician’s Choice Ashwagandha is a popular option worth checking out.
Benefits
- Increases the energy by enhancing the resilience of your body to cope up with physical and mental stress
- It can help in alleviating the stress associated with exercise
- Safe to take and low risk of side effects as research has shown
How It Works
It was found out that Ashwagandha contains important chemicals that help reduce swelling, lower blood pressure, calm the brain, and possibly help improve the immune system.
2. Coenzyme Q10
Another interesting supplement is CoQ10 which is a vitamin-like substance found all throughout the body. You may not know it but this vitamin is mostly found in the heart, liver, kidney, and pancreas.
It is most often used for conditions that primarily affect the heart like coronary heart disease. On another note, cells use CoQ10 to produce energy to help protect themselves from different damages. If levels of this vitamin go down, it is equivalent to having no energy at all which may be a reason for having fatigue.
Benefits
- Supplements containing CoQ10 are a better alternative for reducing fatigue
- Safe if taken in appropriate doses
How It Works
Coenzyme Q10 helps in producing energy for the cells. This is tantamount to the proper function of the body’s organs and various chemical reactions. Research has also shown that this enzyme possesses antioxidant activity but it is yet to be studied further.
3. Melatonin
Naturally found in the body, melatonin is a hormone used as a medicine. It is found to be convenient because it can be available in pill form but can also be placed in different parts of the body like the cheek or tongue to facilitate quick absorption directly into the body.
Melatonin is famous for people who have sleeping disorders like insomnia or those who just want to improve their sleeping conditions. It’s also a popular ingredient amongst many sleep supplements, such as Dream EZ.
Benefits
- Found to be effective in reducing the length of time to fall asleep at a conventional bedtime
- Taking it before bedtime has shown a significant result in lowering high blood pressure
- Improves low blood platelet count
How It Works
The function of melatonin in the body is to ensure that night and day cycles are being regulated. Everything hangs on these cycles and if this hormone fails to keep this, unprecedented outcomes may result.
During the night, the body produces more melatonin which is an indication and preparation for sleep. Meanwhile, during the day or where light is most abundant, the melatonin production gradually decreases which in turn beckons the body to be awake.
4. Tyrosine
Tyrosine is one of the standard 20 amino acids found in the human body. It is used as protein supplements for the treatment of a disorder called phenylketonuria (PKU) among many other things. The production of tyrosine is amazing in itself because it is made from another amino acid called phenylalanine.
Although there is no scientific evidence, it is also used in treating alcoholism, thinking disorders, cocaine dependence, and others.
Benefits
- Improves memory in the event of stressful conditions
- Helps in alleviating lack of sleep
- Improves alertness, focus, and attention
How It Works
The body makes use of tyrosine by initiating it to produce chemical messengers that are essentially involved in conditions that relate much to the brain and mental awareness.
5. Rhodiola Rosea
The next on the list is the plant called Rhodiola Rosea. The history of its uses as medicine goes way back, especially when we are talking about its roots. It is commonly found in the Arctic and Northern European regions.
Used as an adaptogen, Rhodiola pretty much serves its function by helping the body adapt to the different conditions and environment, may it be physical or chemical stress. It has many other uses as claimed by people; however, there are no scientific pieces of evidence to back up these claims.
Benefits
- Shown to have a low risk of side effects
- Helpful in alleviating physical and mental fatigue
- Research has shown that it helps treat depression
- Improves athletic performance although in this case sufficient studies are needed to be studied
How It Works
The extracts from the Rhodiola plant have been found out to show a promising result in protecting the cells from damage. Not only that, there are results that infer that this plant helps in regulating the heartbeat and helps in cognitive function.
6. Beetroot Powder
Among the vitamins listed, beetroot powder is perhaps the most unusual. With that being said, it is a product made from dried, ground beets. What most people often miss is that it is a superfood widely used for different purposes. It can also be found in a variety of supplements, including HumanN SuperBeets and Beetelite.
People love beet powder because of its nutritional benefits and value. People not only get the best out of it but also enjoy the mouth-watering taste of it. In terms of giving the body energy, it relaxes the blood vessels and increases blood flow in order to regulate oxygen delivery.
Benefits
- Consuming beet powder is known to improve athletic performance and endurance
- For people with hypertension, beet powder helps in lowering blood pressure
- As research has shown, beet powder has helped in maintaining lower blood sugar levels after eating
How It Works
Beet powder contains essential elements such as iron, calcium, and magnesium. These minerals are of prime importance to keep your body healthy and active. In addition, this supplements the body in relaxing the blood vessels so that oxygen is delivered adequately.
7. Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is one of the best vitamins for energy. This vitamin is one of the eight B-vitamins that help the human body convert glucose into energy. When you are deficient in any of the eight B-vitamins, it can throw off normal metabolic function.
Having a Vitamin B12 deficiency is more common than not, and can cause a variety of health complications from decreased energy levels to decreased sleep quality. You can find this vitamin in animal foods, but you can just as easily supplement with it.
Benefits
- Prevents anemia
- Improve mood + focus
- Boost energy
How It Works
This vitamin is found in some foods, and in animal products in particular. If you don’t eat meat and seafood, supplementing this can be crucial. It is common for vegetarians and vegans to have both a B-12 deficiency, as well as an iron deficiency, making supplementation crucial. If you do have a B12 deficiency, then supplementing with this vitamin can be crucial to your well-being and general health.
8. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is known for fighting colds while boosting immunity but did you know that it is also an energy booster? Having adequate levels of vitamin C is crucial to overall well-being, but also to natural energy production. This vitamin is best taken in liposomal form, such as in Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C, as vitamin C is best absorbed this way.
Benefits
- Boosts immunity
- Protects your brain health as you age
- Improves fatigue and poor mood
- Boost energy production
How It Works
Vitamin C can be found in capsules, powders, and in foods. Some foods that are great sources of vitamin C include citrus fruit, peppers, strawberries, blackcurrants, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and potatoes. If you decide to take it in supplement form, try to purchase a brand that is liposomal for best absorption.
Are Vitamins For Energy Right For You?
If you find that you struggle to stay awake and alert during the day, adding some vitamins to your diet might be beneficial. The vitamins shared here are a good place to start when trying to increase your energy naturally.
Whether you are taking Vitamin D, L-Theanine, CoQ10, creatine, or Vitamin B, these supplements should help boost your energy and get you back to health.
Each body is different, so what works well for your friend, might not work well for you. We suggest trying out a few different vitamins in order to determine which ones work best for you. These vitamins are great for many people, but for older adults in particular who are prone to a lack of energy. As we age our energy production decreases, making supplementation a necessity.
Whether you decide to take ashwagandha supplements, an iron supplement, vitamin b supplement, or even something like creatine, it’s important to know what you’re taking first. Always remember to research health information about each supplement before you take them, and contact your healthcare provider if you have any questions.
Skip the caffeine and add some of these vitamins to your diet instead.
