Vitamins for Weakness

Feelings of muscle and body weakness can be caused by a variety of factors, including fibromyalgia, viral infection and immune system suppression, according to Dr. James Balch and Phyllis Balch, authors of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." This condition may decrease your ability to perform daily mental or physical tasks. The Balches and other natural healing advocates believe that certain vitamins may help combat feelings of weakness.

Contact your doctor before treating weakness with vitamins. The underlying causes of this condition may require medical treatment.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an essential water-soluble vitamin, meaning that your body does not store it. This vitamin is a natural immune system booster, and may help ward off illnesses and viral infections that can contribute to weakness. It is also an antioxidant, which may help minimize muscle damage caused by free radical molecules, according to the Balches. You can obtain this vitamin from spinach, avocados, citrus fruits, broccoli, strawberries and tomatoes.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is fat-soluble -- your body stores it in fat tissues. This vitamin may help increase your energy and combat the effects of weakness. It is also a potent antioxidant, according to Michael Castleman, author of "Nature's Cures." It helps improve the availability of nutrients and oxygen to muscle and tissue cells, and enhances your body's ability to repair tissue damage. You can find vitamin E in food sources, such as walnuts, sunflower seeds, sweet potatoes, whole-grain wheat products, kelp and whole-grain rice.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is an important fat-soluble vitamin for preventing the effects of muscle and body weakness, according to the Balches. It is an immune system enhancer, and helps regulate thyroid function, which is necessary for converting food into energy. Vitamin D also helps your body absorb and utilize calcium, which maintains bone density and helps prevent bone weakness. Your body produces vitamin D when you expose youskin to the sun's rays. You can also obtain vitamin D from eggs, milk, cheese, vegetable oils and fish such as salmon, tuna and sardines.