As the colder months dawn on us, you may find it harder to get out of bed in the morning—not to mention find the energy to get through those chilly fall and winter days when the sun rises later and sets sooner. Sometimes coffee just doesn’t cut it. In fact, fighting chronic fatigue with caffeine can sometimes make matters worse due to the crash you’ll experience later in the day. Luckily, there are alternatives. Sometimes all your body needs is an increase in essential vitamins you may not be getting from your diet. While we can’t control how long the sun stays out, we can control what we put into your bodies, which is why the right supplements can make such a big difference.
To discover the best supplements out there that can help you beat fatigue and boost energy, we spoke to Dr. Waqas Mahmood of HealthWire. He told us that the top three to consider are B vitamins, vitamin D, and magnesium. Read on to learn more!
B Vitamins
If you're frequently experiencing fatigue, a deficiency of B vitamins like B12 and B6 may be the source of your issue—this deficiency may even lead to anemia. "If there is a deficiency of these vitamins in the body, then the body will not be able to perform cellular functions," Mahmood explains. Luckily, you can easily meet your recommended quota by taking a B-complex vitamin in order to up your energy. When you up your B vitamin intake with a supplement, you'll help boost your brain's productions of neurotransmitters, reducing your risk of cognitive issues like dementia over time.
Vitamin D
Another common deficiency that could be at the root of your fatigue is a vitamin D deficiency. Over time, if you skimp on your vitamin D, you may even run into problems like bone pain and hair loss, Mahmood tells us. "Therefore, it is important to maintain healthy levels of vitamin D in the body. This vitamin prevents many bone and tooth problems and reduces fatigue." And just as with B vitamins, taking a daily vitamin D supplement won't only help to boost your energy and strengthen your bones and hair, but it will also help your brain stay sharp. As Mahmood notes, it's "considered a neuroprotective and regulates brain function." Nice!
Magnesium
Blood sugar also plays a major role in our energy levels. If your blood sugar is too low, you're likely to experience fatigue and brain fog. Fortunately, upping your magnesium consumption can help to curb this issue. "Without healthy levels of magnesium in the body, the body will be not able to work properly and keep blood sugar at healthy levels," Mahmood explains, which is why choosing a magnesium supplement can be such a great idea for those who need some extra energy during the day. "The key role of magnesium is to convert food into energy. In this way, this supplement
helps to combat fatigue in an effective way," Mahmood goes on. "Magnesium can also improve learning and memory and can also benefit the brain in many ways." In fact, it can even help to reduce stress levels—which means that not only will you be able to take on the day with a sharp mind, but you'll also do so with a greater sense of calm. Perfect!