Feeling tired all the time and don’t know what to do? Drinking too much caffeine isn’t great for your health and you might be getting enough sleep, so what can you do? It could be as simple as a dietary supplement that you need. To know for sure talk to your doctor, but here are 5 vitamins and supplements that are proven to increase energy.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an important medicinal herb in Indian Ayurveda that may increase energy by enhancing your body’s resilience to physical and mental stress. In the case of five different studies published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) it was found that those who took ashwagandha extract scored better on tests measuring stress, anxiety and fatigue.
Vitamin B12
Gavin Van De Walle, MS, RD states, “along with the other B vitamins, vitamin B12 helps transform the food you eat into energy that your cells can use. It also keeps your body’s nerves and blood cells healthy and helps prevent a type of anemia that can make you weak and tired.”
Iron
Walle states, “The body needs iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen from your lungs to the organs and tissues throughout your body. Without adequate levels of iron, your red blood cells cannot effectively carry oxygen to the body’s tissues. This results in iron deficiency anemia, which may leave you feeling fatigued and weak.
Creatine
This is naturally found in red meat, pork, poultry, and fish. It acts as a source of quick energy in your body. According to the NIH, studies have shown that when creatine is supplemented it gives you the energy needed for high-intensity, short-duration exercises.
Beetroot Powder
Beetroot powder is made from the beetroot vegetable and contains a high amount of nitrate. According to Walle, “Similar to L-citrulline, nitrate produces nitric oxide in the body, which relaxes blood vessels and increases blood flow and oxygen delivery.” This allows your body to produce energy more efficiently, in regards to exercise.
In a study published by the NIH it was shown that in some cases taking beetroot supplements allowed people to exercise 25% longer compared to taking a placebo.
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