In modern society, where everyone is overworked and there is less physical activity, eating right and staying healthy are neglected.
There are crucial vitamins for energy that may be consumed to ensure optimal health and also feel less lethargic.
For the body to function properly, including for general growth and development, reproduction, and immunity, many different minerals and vitamins are needed to sustain general health.
While the body could obtain vitamins through the usual diet to support energy and efficient functioning, it is not possible to obtain all the minerals and vitamins at once.
In different amounts, multivitamins supply the necessary vitamins needed by the body. In this article, we will be looking at some of the vitamins needed in our body for energy.
Vitamins For Energy
Here are some vitamins essential for energy:
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Vitamin D
An excellent vitamin for improving energy is vitamin D. All ages frequently lack vitamin D, but seniors may be particularly vulnerable because of dietary considerations and decreased time spent outside.
Brittle muscles and bones, and fatigue have been linked to vitamin D insufficiency. In light of this, vitamin D may be among[1] the greatest vitamins for boosting energy.
In reality, frequent sun exposure provides the majority[2] of vitamin D a person needs rather than dietary intake.
The difficulty is that daily sun exposure may not always be a regular occurrence, and as we age, our capacity to absorb vitamin D gradually reduces.
Consider having your vitamin D levels evaluated if you lack energy. There are several vitamin D pills on the market to assist you to meet your needs if you are unable to acquire enough from sunlight or your diet.
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Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps your body create L-carnitine, a chemical that aids in fat-burning for energy, so it does more than merely prevent scurvy.
The importance of vitamin C for immune health is widely acknowledged. But fewer people are aware of how expensive[3] energy is to the immune system.
So, while not being a stimulant, vitamin C is a helpful vitamin for vitality and exhaustion.
Because vitamin C cannot be produced by humans and because our bodies lose three percent of their vitamin C levels daily, it is crucial to consume a lot of it in your diet.
The signs of low vitamin C levels, which include heavy bleeding and exhaustion, often co-occur with iron-deficiency anemia, a known factor in low energy levels, and take many weeks to manifest.
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Vitamin B12
Together with the other B vitamins, vitamin B12 contributes to the conversion of food into cellular energy and energy maintenance.
Additionally, it protects the integrity of your body’s blood and nerve cells, and aids in preventing a particular type of anemia that may leave you feeling exhausted and weak.
Natural sources[4] of vitamin B12 include dairy products, fish, and meat, which contain animal proteins.
The majority of people could satisfy their vitamin B12 requirements by consuming a balanced diet that includes foods that are fortified with B12, which is present in many foods.
However, because B12 may only be found in fortified meals and animal products, vegetarians may be at a higher risk of developing a deficit diet.
People who lack B12 may experience anemia, which makes them feel lethargic. As a result, taking B12 supplements may increase some people’s energy levels.
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Vitamin A
The maintenance and reversal of skin aging and the creation of energy are crucial functions of vitamin A.
With the help of vitamin A, cells could produce[5] all the energy needed by the body each day.
Vitamin A is necessary for human cells to synthesize ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which directly affects energy levels.
Without it, ATP synthesis is reduced, and energy levels may decline. A deficiency in vitamin A may result in a variety of emotional and physical consequences.
Low vitamin A levels have an impact on your vision and the immune system, which could result in situations that drain your energy, like disrupted sleep and excessive fatigue.
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Coenzyme
If you spend a lot of time looking into energy-boosting vitamins, you’ve undoubtedly heard of CoQ10. CoQ10 is a coenzyme, a chemical necessary for the body to initiate a biological function.
Although CoQ10 is often promoted as one of the finest[6] vitamins for energy, it is a vitamin-like substance that is produced by the body and is also available in food and supplements.
Every cell in your body has CoQ10, which is necessary for the mitochondria, the powerhouse of each cell, to convert lipids and carbs into ATP.
The hardest-working muscles in your body, such as those in the heart, are then powered by ATP.
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Vitamin B3
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) has grown in popularity as a high-cholesterol treatment in the medical community.
Vitamin B3, like Vitamin B5, helps to stimulate blood flow and speed up metabolism. Vitamin B3 gives you energy throughout the day and improves your sexual health.
It has been shown that getting enough energy requires[7] a mix of vitamins B3, B12, B5, and B6. Mushrooms and avocados both contain significant amounts of vitamin B3.
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Vitamin B9
Vitamin B9, often known as the coenzyme folate, is necessary for the synthesis of numerous amino acids as well as the production[8] of DNA and RNA.
Therefore, a folate shortage has a greater impact on cells that divide quickly. The bone marrow continuously produces platelets, white blood cells, and red blood cells from dividing stem cells.
Cells are unable to divide normally when vitamin B9 levels are low. Macrocytic anemia is a side effect of inadequate vitamin B9 intake.
The development and specialization of central nervous system cells depend heavily on vitamin B9.
An increased risk of neural tube birth abnormalities exists among children whose mothers were vitamin B9 deficient during pregnancy.
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Vitamin B5
Vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid, is one of the eight B vitamins. The body needs glucose, which is created when food is converted into fuel to provide energy.
These could aid in the body’s utilization of proteins and fats. To have healthy eyes, skin, liver, and hair, one must take B complex vitamins.
Additionally, they support healthy[9] nervous system operation. Vitamin B5 is essential for manufacturing stress-related hormones and red blood cells.
Vitamin B5 also contributes to the breakdown of fats and carbs for energy. They may also be essential for digestive health, vitamin B5 also aids the body’s utilization of other vitamins.
Although it is occasionally referred to as an anti-stress vitamin, there is no conclusive proof that it makes the body more resilient to stress.
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Vitamin K
Vitamin K is a necessary nutrient that promotes blood coagulation and bone health. The varieties of Vitamin K are Vitamin K1 and Vitamin K2.
The primary form of vitamin K1 is found primarily in leafy green vegetables. Fermented foods and animal proteins consist of vitamin K2.
Small amounts of K-2 are also produced by gut bacteria in people. To make prothrombin, a protein that is essential[10] for heart health, bone metabolism, and blood clotting.
The body may require both forms of vitamin K. In the mitochondria of cells, vitamin K also aids in the creation of energy.
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Vitamin B1
One of the B vitamins is Vitamin B1. A class of water-soluble vitamins known as the B vitamins is involved[11] in numerous bodily chemical processes.
The body’s cells may use vitamin B1 to convert carbs into energy. Carbohydrates’ primary function is to fuel the body, particularly the brain and neurological system.
Additionally, vitamin B1 aids in muscle contraction and nerve signal transmission.
Pyruvate, an essential component in numerous bodily chemical processes, needs vitamin B1 to properly metabolize.
Conclusion
Your body requires continuous energy to function properly. Therefore, eating a well-balanced, nutrient-dense diet that includes lean protein, healthy fats, and a good variety of vegetables and fruits is essential.
Whole grains are the first step in ensuring that you have enough energy to go throughout the day.
Your body needs specific nutrients to do that so that it could transform the food you eat into usable energy.
References/Sources
Working4Health prefers using primary and verified references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and our primary references include peer-reviewed research, academic, and medical institution studies.
- Vitamin D. Date of Update: August 12, 2022. Available from: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/
- Overview of Vitamin D. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK56061/
- Vitamin C. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK225480/
- Vitamin B12. Date of Update: March 9, 2022. Available from: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/
- Vitamin A. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK222318/
- Rajiv Saini. Coenzyme Q10: The essential nutrient. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2011 Jul-Sep; 3(3): 466–467. doi: 10.4103/0975-7406.84471
- Basil V. Peechakara; Mohit Gupta. Vitamin B3. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526107/
- Anne-Laure Tardy, Etienne Pouteau, Daniel Marquez, et. al. Vitamins and Minerals for Energy, Fatigue and Cognition: A Narrative Review of the Biochemical and Clinical Evidence. Nutrients. 2020 Jan; 12(1): 228. Published online 2020 Jan 16. doi: 10.3390/nu12010228
- Terrence Sanvictores; Shaylika Chauhan. Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid). Date of Publication: October 12, 2022. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563233/
- Chiara Bernardini, Cristina Algieri, Debora La Mantia, et. al. Vitamin K Vitamers Differently Affect Energy Metabolism in IPEC-J2 Cells. Front Mol Biosci. 2021; 8: 682191. Published online 2021 May 24. doi: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.682191.
- Thiamin. Date of review: March 11, 2021. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002401.htm
- About the Author
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Alisha Matthew has been a practicing nutritionist since 2016. She holds a master’s degree in nutrition from the University of IOWA. She is a staunch believer in improving the human health index by educating people about nutrition and the importance of nutrition in leading a healthy and happy life. Her long-term goal is to keep educating people on general health and keep herself updated with the latest trends in the field of health.