Natural Tips For More Energy

Trisha Sugarek MacDonald, BS, MS, a supplement educator who specializes in research and development, tells which natural remedies are best for boosting energy levels, including nutrient deficiencies associated with fatigue

- Nicole Brechka

Why are so many of us going through life feeling tired all the time?

Fatigue is actually a complicated and diverse set of symptoms with many possible causes, including poor sleep, nutrient deficiencies, excessive alcohol consumption, and most importantly, stress. Identifying the underlying reasons for feeling sluggish is the key to choosing which vitamins and supplements will help you feel more energized and motivated to achieve your health goals.

Are there certain nutrient deficiencies that are to blame for chronic fatigue?

A high percentage of adults in the U.S. eat less than the minimum daily allowance of many essential vitamins and minerals. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition in 2011, for example, found that even when including vitamin intake from supplements and fortified foods, 97 percent of Americans don’t get enough potassium, 65 percent don’t get enough vitamin K, 60 percent don’t get enough vitamin E, 70 percent don’t get enough vitamin D, and around 30 percent don’t get enough vitamins A and C.

Nutrient deficiencies are among the causes of low energy and fatigue because they slow energy production inside cells. This can result in excessive tiredness and lack of energy as well as many other symptoms. Here are three of the most important nutrients related to fatigue:

B vitamins are necessary for converting food into energy, and deficiencies in these nutrients can impact your ability to synthesize adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the body’s energy currency. Without ample ATP, you may feel tired, burned out, and sluggish.

Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in more than 300 metabolic processes in the body, including energy production. Magnesium is required to form and store the energy molecule ATP. Magnesium deficiency impairs the energy production pathway required by mitochondria to generate ATP.