What Vitamins Are Good for Boosting Energy?

What Vitamins Are Good for Boosting Energy?
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Most of us have days when we feel drained of energy. A healthy diet, regular exercise, sufficient sleep and stress management can increase your energy level and leave you feeling revitalized. Certain vitamins can boost your energy and keep your body functioning at an optimum level. Knowing which vitamins are good for boosting energy can help restore your vigor on the days that you feel physically and emotionally exhausted.

B Vitamins

Taking B vitamins can boost your energy level. According to Psychology Today, symptoms of a vitamin B deficiency can include fatigue, irritability, poor concentration, anxiety and depression. B-complex vitamins like thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, B-6, pantothenic acid, biotin, B-12, folic acid and choline are needed to maintain healthy brain cells, metabolize carbohydrates and produce blood cells and neurotransmitters. The B vitamins may also protect you against birth defects, cardiovascular disease, depression, dementia and Alzheimer's disease -- conditions that can deplete your energy and leave you feeling physically and emotionally drained.

Vitamin C

If you are feeling tired and sluggish, try increasing your vitamin C intake. Vitamin C strengthens your immune system and helps your body fight off infections, viruses and diseases that decrease your energy level and leave you feeling drained. Vitamin C is also needed to repair and grow bodily tissues, produce collagen -- a protein needed to make skin, scar tissue, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels -- heal wounds and repair cartilage, bones and teeth. A vitamin C deficiency can delay the healing process and make you feel exhausted.

Vitamin E

You can increase your energy level by supplementing with vitamin E. This vitamin delivers oxygen to your cells, helps your body fight off damaging free radicals, aids in red blood cell production and repairs muscles and bodily tissues.

Vitamin D

You can boost energy levels with vitamin D. This vitamin helps your body absorb calcium and strengthens your muscles and bones. Low levels of vitamin D may increase your risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, cancer, multiple sclerosis, tuberculosis and seasonal flu -- illnesses that can deplete your energy levels.

References

Article reviewed by Leah Ann Crussell Last updated on: Dec 2, 2010

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