Vitamins don’t give you energy. *Mic Drop*
What?!? Did you know that?! Yeah, your body is able to generate energy from calories, and vitamins + minerals don’t have them. We often see wellness drinks and products promising better energy from vitamins & supplements which can be slightly misleading. The best way to have sustained energy is to nourish and support your body from within.
What DO vitamins do? Cells run on something called ATP which is created from glucose in food and vitamins can support metabolic pathways to help your body produce energy more efficiently, but if you aren’t lacking in these vitamins, taking more won’t help. If your diet is not providing sufficient nutrients, giving these pathways a boost can mean you feel better, sleep better, reduce stress on the body, improve mental clarity or nutrient absorption all of which can improve your natural energy.
What is a good place to start? You can incorporate healthy practices like drinking more water, getting sunshine & movement every day, and eating a diet rich in fruits and veggies and other whole foods, but if you’re already doing this, what can you do to take it to the next level if you’re feeling less than your best self.
Vitamin B12 - This is the most commonly thought of vitamin for energy. This vitamin helps your body effectively transform food into energy that cells can use and keep nerves & cells healthy, helping avoid fatigue. There is no evidence that those who consume enough B12 would benefit from additional supplementation though, just something to consider if following a plant-based diet or one low in B12 foods.
Iron - Iron is responsible for helping red blood cells carry oxygen to important tissue - without this, cells aren’t able to do their job and can leave you feeling fatigued, short of breath, or weak. *DO not start iron supplementation without first checking your levels with a doctor (2)
Vitamin D- Vitamin D deficiency can affect your immune system and make you feel run down not to mention be a cause of chronic fatigue. People that do not get enough vitamin D from food or live in areas where they don't receive enough sunlight throughout the winter are at risk for deficiency.
CoQ10 - this powerhouse is found in all the cells in the body, but concentrated in the heart, kidney and liver. Your cells use this to make energy and protect against damage, so without enough, cells can’t create enough energy which leads to fatigue
Ashwagandha - An Ayurvedic herb that works by enhancing your body’s resilience to physical and mental stress which can inhibit your energy levels. It’s thought to improve mental fatigue & stress, and also alleviate fatigue associated with exercise. (4)
Rhodiola - This herb may help enhance performance and ease mental fatigue and help your body recover faster. (5)
All of these options can help if they address your specific issue but if you feel unnecessarily tired all the time, it’s a good idea to check in with your doc to rule out anything else going on. If you’re mostly a healthy person, take a look at your diet, sleep and movement habits and see where you can make some changes first.
Have you tried any of these supplements? How are your energy levels?
*For Educational and Informational Purposes Only. I am not a doctor and any recommendation is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Make sure to consult your doctor before starting any new supplements.*
Resources:
3) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25210673/