Vitamins for Energy – Why Personalized May Be Better

 

Everybody wants energy but there's no "one size fits all" solution when it comes to vitamins as there are many different nutrients that work through various different mechanisms within the body. This is where Personalized Vitamins will give you an advantage. In this article we'll discuss five energy enhancing supplements offered in our personalized vitamin plans.

5 Natural Energy Boosters

B12 for energy production at the cellular level

Vitamin B12 is necessary for cells to produce energy. B12 is responsible for forming red blood cells, which transport oxygen in the blood throughout the body. Once the oxygen arrives to your body's cells, it is utilized for energy production. Vitamin B12 also plays an important role in neurological function. According to guidance published by the National Institute of Health in 2016, if you don't consume enough vitamin B12 in your diet, you will be at a greater risk of fatigue, weakness, or weight loss. Vegetarians and vegans are likely to be low on vitamin B12, since it is most commonly found in fish, meat, eggs, dairy, and many fortified foods. Older adults, or people with digestive disorders like Crohn's disease, are also at risk for a deficiency because they are less capable of absorbing the B12 they consume. If you are feeling fatigued, eating foods rich in vitamin B12 or taking a supplement might just improve your energy levels.

 

Magnesium promotes better sleep

Magnesium is one of the most abundant minerals in the body, required for more than 300 different biochemical reactions, including muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and energy production. It is commonly found in foods like fish, almonds, and whole grains, and is an excellent source of energy. According to a 2012 study published by the National Institute of Health, magnesium has been shown to improve symptoms of insomnia. If difficulty falling asleep is contributing to your fatigue, a magnesium supplement may improve your sleep quality, and help you feel more rested.

 

Vitamin C supports energy production

Better know for its immune boosting functions, but it is worth mentioning that it is extremely important for the synthesis of carnitine, a molecule that helps transport fatty acids to the mitochondria, which contain enzymes responsible for energy production.

 

Vitamin D helps fight fatigue

Low energy or fatigue is a common symptom of vitamin D deficiency. That's because vitamin D seems to help mitochondria—the part of a cell that generates energy—use oxygen and power various parts of the body, including muscles. The thinking, then, is that a lack of vitamin D may impact mitochondrial function, causing fatigue. In a 2016 study, researchers gave 120 fatigued (but otherwise healthy) people either a single megadose of vitamin D (100,000 IU) or a placebo. The researchers reported that the people who took vitamin D experienced "significantly improved" fatigue.

 

Ashwagandha, an ancient stress remedy

Ashwagandha has been used for over 3,000 years as an adaptogenic herb to support energy and reduce the debilitating effects stress has on the body. In Ayurvedic medicine, ashwagandha is promoted for its effects on fatigue, mood, sleep, and libido. In a 2012 clinical trial, ashwagandha was shown to reduce blood levels of cortisol, which is known as the "stress hormone." Participants in this study noted a significant reduction in the stress they experienced after 60 days, compared to the placebo group. If stress is zapping your energy, consider ashwagandha. As an added bonus, recent studies have also suggested that ashwagandha can improve endurance and muscle strength gains from exercise.