It seems that with today’s hectic pace many people find themselves exhausted and looking to vitamins for energy.
There are many factors that may be contributing to this tired generation but the usual suspects are poor nutrition and lack of sleep.
And while there are no adequate substitutes for either, vitamins may help with the nutritional short falls.
The vitamins and nutrients found in nutritious foods are vital for health and when the body does not get enough of these required nutrients, proper function is impaired.
Vitamin deficiencies can lead to a host of symptoms from fatigue to severe nerve damage or even death.
Vitamins are essential for the proper function of organs, productions of blood cells and virtually all of the bodies systems, yet for many of us, nutrition is an afterthought or rarely even considered.
So, many folks look to vitamins to fill in the gaps, vitamins for energy, vitamins for a healthy heart, skin, hair etc.
The Importance of B Vitamins for Energy
When looking to vitamins for energy, we must understand the underlying causes of fatigue.
Since vitamins play an important role in the function and protection of virtually all of the body’s systems, the absence of required nutrients can affect many different aspects of proper bodily function and no single vitamin can produce all of the necessary requirements for energy production.
However, there are certain vitamins that play a larger role in metabolism and the production of energy.
B vitamins also called vitamin B complex are perhaps the most crucial vitamins for energy.
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Each of the B vitamins play some role in metabolism and the production of energy.
Vitamins B1, B2, B6, B7 & B12 have particularly critical functions in breaking down proteins and carbohydrates for conversion to energy.
Vitamin B12 is the largest and most complex of these B vitamins and is often called the “Energy Vitamin”.
Vitamin B12 plays a major role in the production of red blood cells and the metabolism of virtually every cell in the body.
A deficiency in vitamin B12 can lead to many manifestations including extreme fatigue as well as other hematological, neurological and psychological symptoms.
Adequate levels of B12 in the body are critical for energy production and overall health.
However, while adequate levels of vitamin B12 are essential for the production of energy, it is only a co-factor in these processes and not a self -contained energy pack.
Vitamin B12 alone will not fulfill all the body’s needs for energy production.
According to recent research, up to 40% of the population may suffer from some degree of Vitamin B12 deficiency.
If you are experiencing chronic fatigue and other symptoms of anemia, a B12 deficiency may be the reason.
Vitamin B12 is found in meats, dairy products, fish and seafood and most people get enough through the consumption of these B12 rich foods.
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Unless you are a vegan or strict vegetarian, nutritional B12 deficiency is rare.
However, most people who suffer from B12 deficiency eat enough B12 foods but suffer deficiency because of the body’s inability to breakdown and absorb the B12 from foods.
This inability to absorb B12 is usually due to faulty digestive system caused by disease, surgery or aging.
Other factors may include excessive use of antacids or alcohol.
While B vitamins are the obvious vitamins for energy, a deficiency in other vitamins can also lead to a lack of energy.
Both vitaminD and vitamin C deficiency symptoms include chronic fatigue that will correct when treated with supplements.
Minerals such as iron and magnesium are also known to help with the symptoms of fatigue.
So, finding your particular needs may require deficiency testing. Otherwise, if you’re looking for vitamins for energy try B complex or perhaps the more total solution is a multivitamin.
Remember, it’s always best to get your required vitamins through good nutrition whenever possible.
But, if you do need to supplement with vitamins make sure they are from whole foods and not synthetic.
Whole food supplements have better bio-availability, don’t contain unnecessary preservatives or colors that diminish the positives of a supplement and are the best vitamins for energy.