It never gets old to talk about having enough energy to do what we want when we want. Part of that is the realization that we occasionally need a boost in the department of energy. We’re talking not just about energy from hour to hour or day to day, but more long term in the sense of month to month and even year to year. We’re talking about energy that is sustained, something we can reliably draw on for full participation in life instead of just dragging through weeks or months at a time trying to make it to the finish line (the bed) in one piece at the end of the day.
Regular exercise, a properly balanced diet, stress avoidance (okay, easier said than done), sufficient sleep at night (seven to eight hours, typically) all play a role in building a foundation of bolstered energy. Vitamins and supplements can also help bolster your foundational energy stores.
Six Supplements for a Better, More Energetic Life
Following, in alphabetical order, are six supplements and other nutrients that have shown a propensity for helping to fuel your body with energy-boosting sustenance. Be sure to discuss your first-time or long-term use of any of these with your physician or other healthcare professional.
Ashwagandha. For modern-day benefits we reach back hundreds of years to the practice of Indian Ayurveda medicine, where the herb Ashwagandha was one of the centerpieces of that medicinal system. For good reason, too. It is believed to be most effective in alleviating stress and anxiety, two states of mind that when present can wear a person down physically. One study involving elite cyclists demonstrated that those who were given ashwagandha vs. a placebo were able to cycle 7 percent longer.
Vitamin B12. This popular vitamin is readily available from many animal-based foods, although older adults and others who steer clear of such foods can be deficient in vitamin B12. For those lacking in B12, which serves manly to enhance the health of your blood and nerve cells, symptoms can include tiredness and weakness as well as unwanted weight loss, infertility, and nerve damage.
Creatine. This potent source of quick energy, popular among a variety of athletes, is found in food services such as red meat, poultry, and fish. The key ingredient in creatine is adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which is used by our bodies to produce energy. Power lifters in particular are drawn to creatine, no doubt aware of various studies that have shown that use of the supplement can bolster bench press strength by 5 percent.
Iron. First of all, a deficiency of iron in our bodies can be produce a form of anemia that can render people fatigued and weak. And without a proper amount of iron on hand, our red blood cells are hindered when it comes to delivering oxygen to the tissues within our body. There are a number of factors that can be responsible for the iron deficiency anemia described above: an iron-poor diet (meat and seafood are great sources of iron), blood loss, and pregnancy.
Magnesium. Magnesium belongs to the family of electrolytes (potassium and sodium are among the others) which act as electrical currents that enhance communication within the body such as that which takes place between our brain and anyone of muscles in the body that we use to perform an act. If we are running low on magnesium, we can be prone to symptoms such as fatigue, muscle cramping, and loss of appetite.
L-theanine. This naturally occurring amino acid found in teas can, when combined with caffeine, assist people by bolstering energy as well as their cognitive performance. Participants in studies focused on L-theanine were found to demonstrate increased alertness as well as less tired.
Tiredness, fatigue, and weakness can be manifested in our bodies in a number of ways, which is why it’s good to know where we can turn to in finding supplements, vitamins, and other nutrients that can help us stave off those energy-sapping conditions. Before starting a regimen with any of these supplements, be sure to discuss their use with your physician or other healthcare professional to make sure what you are doing is safe and sound for your body, especially is you are already using prescribed medications.