Vitamins for Energy

Whether we go to work, go grocery shopping, go for a walk or a party or even just sit and stare at the television, we need energy. Without the required energy, we will feel drained out, tired and lethargic and will not be able to function. Just like we charge our cell phones, we need vitamins to charge our body's battery. There are a lot of vitamins that the human body needs, but cannot manufacture in sufficient amounts. A lack of vitamins or vitamin deficiency, can upset the body's internal balance or metabolic reactions.

A healthy diet is one way of deriving energy for the body. However, sometimes along with a healthy diet, there is a need for taking nutritional supplements of vitamins to boost your energy. Especially, for pregnant women or if you are just recovering from an illness, it is not always possible to get vitamins from your diet. In such cases, vitamin supplements play a very important role in supplying energy to the body. However, there are a number of vitamins that will help you get that much-needed boost.

Best Vitamins for Energy

The following are the best vitamins for energy that are important to take, especially if you have been feeling weak.

Vitamin B: Vitamin B is the most crucial for the body's production and use of energy. All the eight vitamins in the group, are critical to avoid fatigue and for energizing the body.

• Vitamin B1, also known as thiamin, strengthens the body's immune system so that the brain and the nervous system can function more efficiently. It also is important for metabolizing food effectively through which the body receives the energy for all tasks.
• Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, also is necessary for production of energy through chemical reactions. People lacking in riboflavin often feel sluggish and tired.
• Vitamin B3, also known as niacin, treats high cholesterol which is responsible for depleting an individual's energy.
• Vitamin B5, also known as, pantothenic acid, strengthens the body's immune system. If a person is ill, the body requires a lot of energy to combat illness. Thus, by strengthening the immune system it helps the body store energy.
• Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, helps protects the arteries. Without proper blood flow, the cells will not be able to produce enough energy for the body to receive enough oxygen to meet the body's energy needs.
• Vitamin B9 ,also known as folic acid, plays a vital role in formation of the red blood cells which are necessary to maintain energy levels.
• Vitamin B12, also known as cyanocobalamin, plays an important role in absorbing foods which results in replenishing energy.
• Biotin is very important as a vitamin for energy, as it facilitates both fat and protein metabolism which is necessary to convert food into energy.

Vitamin C: Another good source of energy is vitamin C. It performs cellular functions in the body, which means that it makes sure that if any damage is caused during the day, it repairs that when you rest or sleep. Without this, the body would not be able to perform at its full ability. Besides that, vitamin C is also responsible in converting food into energy. What it does is that it takes the chemicals to the mitochondria in the cell, which is the energy production site in every cell, thereby resulting in production of the energy required by the body.

Other Nutritional Supplements for Energy

Iron: Lack of iron results in anemia, which is a condition that causes the person to feel tired, due to the low number of red blood cells. Besides this iron also produces oxygen carrying pigment in the blood which is commonly known as hemoglobin, which provides energy to the body. Most people require around 15 mg of iron per day. Iron is one of the best energy sources for women.

Magnesium: Magnesium is another important nutritional supplement for energy. It is also responsible for other body functions like absorption of calcium, muscle health and producing healthy red blood cells. Magnesium provides the cells with additional fuel needed for energy production.

These were the most important vitamins for energy. It is advisable to obtain vitamins from food sources rather than nutritional supplements and it's always better to take vitamin supplements only after consulting your doctor.