Research-Based

Vitamin Energy Review – How Do These Supplements Measure Up?

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By Jack Cincotta, MS

Reviewed by Juliana Tamayo, MS, RDN - Last Updated

vitamin energy review

If you look around today, you’ll find that there are many around you yawning or simply seeming tired. Maybe you find that in yourself as well? A lack of energy is a real problem for many people. Whether it’s from lack of sleep, a stressful lifestyle, health problems, or other factors, the fact is that many people feel that they just don’t have enough energy to fully attack the day. That’s where energy supplements, like the one we’ll take a look at today, claim to come to the rescue.

Vitamin Energy is an energy formula that comes in shot form. It’s designed to provide you with that boost of energy you’re searching for to get through the day, while also including vitamins. Is it worth the price? In this Vitamin Energy review, we’ll take a thorough look at this energy shot so you can find out if it’s worth adding to your routine.

Ready? Let’s get started with this Vitamin Energy review!

About Vitamin Energy

Vitamin Energy is an energy formula designed to be taken with a quick swig since it’s in a shot form. There are actually eight different formulas, but they all have one thing in common: they’re designed to boost energy levels.

vitamin energy supplement

With the inclusion of B-complex vitamins and caffeine, Vitamin Energy products are supposed to promote long-term energy without the crash. And each variety offers unique ingredients that provide additional benefits beyond a boost in energy.

Vitamin Energy Benefits

So, the main benefit of Vitamin Energy is increased energy levels that are sustained throughout the day. In fact, the makers of Vitamin Energy claim that it will give you over 7 hours of sustained energy to be at your best. 

vitamin energy increased energy

Additionally, the many different varieties of this product are supposed to offer additional benefits, including immune support, focus, mood enhancement, and workout and sport performance. 

So, is Vitamin Energy just the product you’ve been looking for to give you a boost? Read on to find out!

Vitamin Energy Ingredients

While there are 8 different varieties of Vitamin Energy shots, they all contain Vitamins B3, B6, and B12, along with caffeine. 

The vitamins B3, B6, B12 have varying dosages dependent on the variety, but there is 260mg of caffeine regardless of the variety. Also, the caffeine is included in each proprietary blend talked about below. 

And then each variety has its own unique ingredients:

  • In the Immune variety, there is also 90 mg of vitamin C along with a proprietary blend (515mg) of carnitine tartrate, green tea extract, and citicoline.
  • In the Focus variety, there is also a proprietary blend (1.28g) that includes BCAAs and CoQ10.
  • In the Mood variety, there is also a proprietary blend (585mg) that includes 5-HTP, chamomile, lemon balm, passionflower, rhodiola, and valerian.
  • In the B12 14,000 variety, there is also a proprietary blend (2.153g) that contains taurine, glucuronolactone, tyrosine, and phenylalanine. 
  • In the Workout Variety, there is magnesium (42mg), sodium (45mg), and potassium (94mg), along with a proprietary blend (1.11g) consisting of l-citrulline, beta-alanine, l-arginine, l-aspartic acid, l-carnitine, and n-acetyl-tyrosine.
  • In the Immune Cocktail variety, there is a host of vitamins and minerals too long to note here, and it also includes an antioxidant lend (500mg) which has blueberry extract, CoQ10, and grape seed extract; and a botanical blend (65mg) that includes licorice root extract, rose hips extract, and pectin. 
  • The Sport variety contains pantothenic acid (5mg), magnesium (40mg), chloride (128.4mg), sodium (100mg), and potassium (140mg), as well as a proprietary blend (320mg) that includes ginseng root extract and D-ribose. 
  • Finally, the Vitamin D variety contains vitamin D (20mcg) and vitamin B5 (5mcg).

Whew, that was a lot to run over! Now, let’s get to analyzing the effectiveness of these ingredients, starting with the ones common in all varieties.

vitamin energy ingredients

B3, B6, and B12

All Vitamin Energy products contain B3, B6, and B12, although some varieties (e.g., Mood, B12 14,000) have considerably higher doses of these than others (e.g., Focus). 

These B-vitamins, like all B-vitamins, are important for energy production, mainly in that they can help turn the food you eat into energy. Furthermore, they have many roles in brain health, such as in neurotransmitter production and function. Deficiencies in these vitamins are highly related to fatigue, weakness, and tiredness, as well as various neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders.

A recent review concluded that supplementing with these vitamins (among other vitamins and minerals they reviewed) is likely to reduce mental and physical fatigue, especially in the case of deficiencies. Supplementation may also help improve cognitive and psychological functioning. In the case of B-vitamins, supplementing at amounts well above the RDI are often needed for effective results. 

Caffeine

The other common ingredient among the Vitamin Energy products is caffeine. They include a whopping dose of 260mg in each variety. Caffeine mainly works by blocking adenosine receptors and acting on the central nervous system in other ways, such as by increasing sympathetic nervous system activity, increasing production of neurotransmitters (e.g., dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin). 

Research shows that caffeine supplementation is able to improve alertness, vigilance, attention, reaction time, and decrease fatigue. And it can help maintain cognitive and physical functions when those would otherwise be impaired, such as in cases of sleep deprivation or highly demanding jobs. Anywhere from 40 to 300mg can improve various aspects of cognition, while greater than 200mg is typically needed for exercise and physical performance benefits.

So at 260mg, the level of caffeine in the Vitamin Energy products does still fall within the right range. You’ll also find it comparable to others in the energy supplement space; for example, RuckPack Energy Shots contain 240mg of caffeine. But if you do find yourself sensitive to this ingredient, it may be worth checking out other caffeine-free energy supplement options, like Performance Lab Energy Renew or Gundry MD Energy Renew. Caffeine-free hydration supplements, like BioSteel Hydration Mix, are another option that can provide energy and hydration without the caffeine concern as well.

Immune Ingredients

The Immune variety of Vitamin Energy also includes vitamin C, carnitine tartrate, green tea extract, and citicoline. Research shows that these ingredients can support the immune system and decrease inflammation and oxidative stress. Citicoline and green tea extract may also provide further cognition and energy enhancement.

Focus Ingredients

The unique ingredients in the Vitamin Energy Focus supplement include CoQ10 and BCAAs (leucine, isoleucine, and valine). These ingredients have some research behind them, showing that they can improve learning and memory and may reduce cognitive fatigue, but more research is needed, especially for focus

Mood Ingredients

In Vitamin Energy Mood, there is a blend that consists of 5-HTP, chamomile, lemon balm, passionflower, rhodiola, and valerian. 5-HTP is necessary for the synthesis of serotonin and melatonin, and research shows it has beneficial roles on sleep, depression, anxiety, panic, and general mood. 

These ingredients all have been scientifically proven to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and improve mood and sleep. They do this by increasing levels of certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and GABA, as well as reducing cortisol and other stress markers.

B12 14.000 Ingredients

Another Vitamin Energy variety is B12 14,000. This refers to the B12 dosage, which is 14,000 percent of the daily value. So, the logic is that an extremely high amount of B12 will lead to an even greater level of the previously mentioned benefits of B12. This variety also is unique in that it includes taurine, glucuronolactone, tyrosine, and phenylalanine. 

The latter ingredients are thought to work by decreasing cognitive fatigue and increasing focus and energy, such as by improving dopamine and norepinephrine levels, but the only ingredient that really has significant research behind it for stress reduction and cognitive/energy enhancement is tyrosine. 

Workout Ingredients

The Workout variety includes electrolytes (magnesium, potassium, and sodium) that are lost in sweat during exercise and are necessary for overall exercise performance, although there aren’t very high amounts in here. Also, the blend in here contains citrulline, beta-alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, carnitine, and tyrosine. Citrulline, arginine, and beta-alanine are very well-researched for improving exercise performance, such as by decreasing fatigue, improving blood flow, and increasing muscular contractions and muscular endurance. And carnitine and tyrosine may reduce fatigue, although they aren’t as well researched as the three ingredients just mentioned.

Immune Cocktail Ingredients

Vitamin Energy Immune Cocktail contains an assortment of vitamins and minerals known to enhance immune health, such as vitamins C and E. Also, the inclusion of blueberry extract, grape seed extract, licorice root extract, and rose hips extract may offer additional antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects due to the number of health-boosting compounds in these, as evidenced by research. 

Sport Ingredients

Similar to Vitamin Energy Workout, Vitamin Energy Sport has electrolytes that are lost during sweat and are important for exercise performance, such as magnesium, potassium, and sodium. This variety also includes chloride and pantothenic acid, which are likely to be depleted during exercise too. Finally, the inclusion of ginseng may offer stimulatory and anti-fatigue benefits, and the inclusion of D-ribose may decrease fatigue and improve energy and endurance due to its role in energy metabolism. 

Vitamin D

The last variety is Vitamin Energy Vitamin D. This variety includes vitamin D, of course, but also vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid). Vitamin D is important for immune and hormonal health as well as for healthy bones, muscles, and a healthy heart, among other things.

Does Vitamin Energy Work?

There’s a lot to go through here, but overall, Vitamin Energy and its various products should be pretty effective. Across all varieties, the main goal is to increase energy. And this will likely occur since they all include high levels of B-vitamins and a high level of caffeine, which are all proven to increase energy as well as cognitive and physical performance in some cases. 

vitamin energy diffent varities

In regard to the specific forms, it is likely that Vitamin Energy Immune and Vitamin Energy Cocktail will both boost immune function since they include a good amount of vitamin C and other well-researched ingredients like green tea extract, blueberry extract, and different vitamins and minerals. Vitamin Energy Cocktail is likely the better of the two due to its inclusion of more ingredients.

The Vitamin Energy Focus variety doesn’t seem to be very unique for improving focus. BCAAs and CoQ10 may help, but the research shows that those ingredients mainly have benefits in other areas of the body. It would’ve likely been better to include different ingredients in the focus blend that would actually improve focus. 

Next, the Vitamin Energy Mood variety should work well since all of the ingredients in there are proven to reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and improve mood and sleep. 

Vitamin Energy B12 14,000 may provide greater energy levels than any of the other products due to its very high dosage of B12 along with some quality ingredients, such as tyrosine. But the other ingredients in there need a lot more research before definitive claims can be made.

Both the Vitamin Energy Sport and Vitamin Energy Workout products should be effective since they include electrolytes as well as various ingredients designed to improve endurance and energy, reduce fatigue, and overall improve exercise performance. 

Lastly, the Vitamin D variety contains a nice amount of vitamin D that should yield benefits. 

Importantly, a key problem is that all of these varieties have proprietary blends, so it is unclear how much of each ingredient is in these products. Yes, the ingredients are well-researched and proven to be effective for the various claims, but without knowing the dosages, it is impossible to tell how effective they will be. The only things really known are the dosages of the B-vitamins, caffeine, and some other vitamins and minerals, depending on what variety you’re looking at. And those dosages are actually effective and based on research, but the jury is still out on all of the proprietary blend ingredients. 

Claims vs. Reality

Overall, it is likely that you will experience an increase in energy levels due to the B-vitamin and caffeine, as all of these are in high amounts backed by research. However, it is unclear if everyone will experience 7 or more hours of energy, as supplements can have varying effects depending on the individual. 

Also, keep in mind that caffeine can sometimes mask your true energy levels, so there is the possibility that taking highly-stimulating supplements could tax the body if you’re using them to overcome lack of sleep or high stress. They can be useful in the short-term, but it may not be the best approach to use highly stimulating substances long-term in the absence of a healthy lifestyle. It will eventually end up biting you in the butt.

Also, as I mentioned earlier, the unique ingredients in each variety are primarily featured by proprietary blends, so it’s impossible to tell just how effective each variety will be for its given claims. Most of the ingredients in each variety do have solid research, but without knowing exactly how much of each ingredient is in there, it’s impossible to say how effective they will be. 

Who is Vitamin Energy Best For?

Vitamin Energy products are likely best for people who are in very high-demanding jobs and/or who are in temporarily high-stress situations. These products are likely very stimulating, so they aren’t for anyone sensitive to caffeine or other stimulants. But if you’re someone who needs to get a lot done and enjoys the feeling of stimulants, then the Vitamin Energy products may be a good fit. Also, since there are so many varieties, you can easily choose whatever variety best suits your individual needs and preferences.

Vitamin Energy For More Energy

Is Vitamin Energy Safe?

Side Effects will depend on the different varieties of Vitamin Energy. But in general, here are some potential side effects:

  • Anxiety, nervousness, jitteriness, and insomnia
  • Increased heart rate and blood pressure
  • Stomach upset, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, etc. 
  • Headaches and dizziness

Where to Buy Vitamin Energy

You can buy any of the Vitamin Energy products on the official Vitamin Energy website here. 

vitamin energy website

You can choose to buy a 12-pack of each individual variety which usually costs $35.88 but is currently on sale for $29.95, regardless of what variety you get. 

Or, you can choose to get the Variety Pack, which includes 2 of each of the most common varieties, which are the Immune, B12 14,000, Mood, and Focus varieties. So, you’ll get 8 total bottles plus 3 free bottles (unclear which ones), so you are really getting 11 bottles. The price of this option is usually $29.97 but is currently on sale for $24.95

Lastly, you can choose to get the Variety Pack Plus, which includes 1 of each of the 8 varieties mentioned, plus 3 free bottles (unclear which ones). Like the above option, this usually costs $29.97 but is discounted to $24.95 as well.

Evidently, the price range per bottle is around $2 to $2.50 per serving, so these are definitely not cheap. 

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Vitamin Energy Review Ratings

  • Ingredient Quality: 4.2
  • Ingredient Dosage: 3.7
  • Effectiveness: 3.9
  • Safety: 3.6
  • Value: 3.1
  • Company Trustworthiness: 4.0

Overall Rating:
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Jack Cincotta, MS

Jack Cincotta is a certified holistic health coach through AFPA and a board-certified holistic health practitioner through AADP. He has written hundreds of articles on nutrition and supplementation. Jack has a M.S. degree in Psychology and is passionate about researching the science behind nutrition. He often uses research-backed supplementation protocols for many of his clients to optimize results.