There are several different deficiencies that can contribute to you feeling tired or fatigued on a regular basis. Whatever your particular favorite brand of vitamin, making sure that it includes the following nutrients can help you feel more rested and energized.
B Vitamins
Deficiency in any of the B vitamins can lead to feelings of tiredness or a lack of energy. There are several different vitamins in that category, including B-1, or thiamine; B-2, or riboflavin; B-3, or niacin; B-6; B-12; and so on. Each B vitamin performs a different function, but they all contribute to helping your body metabolize the food you eat to turn it into energy. The B vitamins are water soluble, which means that excess levels can generally be easily eliminated.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is another nutrient that can significantly contribute to a lack of energy if you do not have enough of it. Vitamin D is also used for a variety of other bodily functions, including the immune system and bone development. The possibility of low vitamin D levels is particularly high for individuals who spend little time exposed to sunlight. Your body can create vitamin D from sunlight, but according to the Harvard School of Public Health, people who live north of the line between Philadelphia and San Francisco and Athens and Beijing are at risk of insufficient levels of vitamin D.
Iron
Iron deficiency can also contribute to low energy levels, a situation for which women are particularly -- although not exclusively -- at risk. This is because iron is a necessary nutrient for energy production. In addition to ensuring your diet contains enough iron, maintaining a healthy diet that includes levels of a wide variety of vitamins can help your body absorb, process and use iron properly.
Other
Ensuring that you have no vitamin or mineral deficiencies can help contribute to feeling more rested and energetic. You can also help increase your energy levels by making a few simple adjustments to your lifestyle. For example, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, particularly before bed, can help you sleep more deeply and restfully. Exercising, drinking plenty of water and avoiding as much stress as possible will all have a positive impact on your physical health and energy levels, not to mention your mental well being.
References
- Harvard School of Public Health: Vitamin D
- The Vitamins & Nutrition Center: The Benefits of B Vitamins
- Harvard School of Public Health: Three of the B Vitamins
- National Intitutes of Health: Involvement of the Vitamin D Receptor in Energy Metabolism: Regulation of Uncoupling Proteins
- Life Extension Vitamins: Iron
- Psychology Today: Vitamin B: A Key to Energy
