If you have low energy, certain vitamins and supplements may help improve your symptoms. Low levels of B vitamins, vitamin D, and iron can cause fatigue. But taking these vitamins is only likely to improve your energy if your levels are low. Ginseng, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), and ashwagandha may all help increase energy.
Which vitamins and minerals can help with tiredness and fatigue?
Vitamin B12 and magnesium affect energy levels in other ways as well: Vitamin B12 supports the formation of red blood cells, which helps deliver oxygen to the brain and muscles, thereby reducing fatigue. 3. Magnesium promotes relaxation and sleep, boosting energy, while low levels may impair thinking and cause fatigue.
Conclusion. To feel more energized without using caffeine or sugar, the solution is easy—begin with your plate. By starting with energy-boosting foods such as bananas, oats, eggs, nuts, and sweet potatoes, you give your body the fuel it needs to function at its best and feel great.
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies, including B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12, C, D, iron, and magnesium, are among the most common causes of unexplained fatigue. Vitamin D deficiencies affect over 50% of the global population, and approximately 12.5% have iron deficiency anemia.
Most of the time fatigue can be traced to one or more lifestyle issues, such as poor sleep habits or lack of exercise. Fatigue can be caused by a medicine or linked to depression. Sometimes fatigue is a symptom of an illness that needs treatment.
10 Unexpected Signs of a Vitamin D Deficiency
Some, such as B vitamins, vitamin D, and iron, will probably only help improve your energy levels if you aren't getting enough from your diet. Others, such as coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), ginseng, and ashwagandha, may give you more energy through antioxidant and antianxiety effects.
Fatigue symptoms can be physical, mental and emotional and may include:
Packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and natural sugars, fruits and vegetables can provide an immediate and sustained energy boost. They help your body function efficiently and prevent fatigue. Including a variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet can keep your energy levels up all day long.
B12 deficiency can trigger specific food cravings, most notably for meat, fish, or eggs, as the body seeks animal-based sources to replenish the vitamin, especially in those on vegetarian/vegan diets or older adults. While cravings for sugary or salty foods can also signal general B-vitamin issues, the distinct urge for protein-rich animal products is a key indicator, but professional testing is crucial for confirmation.
Taking vitamin B12 daily is generally safe for most people, as it's water-soluble and excess is flushed out, but high doses can cause mild side effects like headaches, nausea, dizziness, or diarrhea in some individuals, while very high levels (especially from injections) might rarely link to other issues, so it's best to stick to recommended amounts unless treating a diagnosed deficiency.
Magnesium malate: Mag malate is one of the few more energizing forms of magnesium for those with fatigue or wanting energy support pre-workout. Magnesium L-threonate: This is an exciting one. Magnesium L-threonate is a newer form of magnesium that promotes cognitive health, focus, and mood.
Studies have suggested that coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH)—common antioxidant dietary supplements with known cardioprotective effects—might relieve symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
Including more food sources of B12 in your diet or taking supplements may help to reduce fatigue caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. One of the health benefits of vitamin B12 is its support of your natural energy levels. B12 can help you raise your energy levels naturally through its role within red blood cell formation.
It's fixable. The best thing about B12 deficiency? It's one of the most treatable causes of memory loss, fatigue and brain fog – once you know what you're dealing with. If you're feeling more tired than usual, struggling to concentrate, or just not feeling like yourself, it's worth speaking to your GP.
Self-help tips to fight tiredness
The four Ps are problem solving, planning, prioritising and pacing. The aim is to think of the four Ps at the beginning of each day or week to help you manage your energy levels.
Fatigue red flags signal potentially serious issues beyond normal tiredness, including unexplained weight loss, persistent fever, night sweats, shortness of breath, chest pain, severe headaches, confusion, or new neurological/joint problems alongside exhaustion. Other signs include fatigue worsening with activity, significant cognitive/mood changes, or lack of energy despite rest, suggesting conditions like infection, autoimmune disease, heart problems, cancer, or mental health issues, warranting prompt medical evaluation.
Could a vitamin or mineral deficiency be behind your fatigue?
Some B12 supplements promise an instant energy boost. But that's often because they're packed with artificial stimulants. B12 isn't producing these on-demand results.
Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms develop gradually and include extreme fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath, headaches, and nerve issues like numbness or tingling in hands/feet, plus cognitive problems such as memory loss and confusion, often linked to anemia but also affecting nerves and brain function, requiring medical diagnosis and treatment.
Yes, you can do a vitamin D test at home using simple finger-prick kits (like TouchBio, 2San, We Test Bio) that provide quick, preliminary results (often in 10 mins) by analyzing a drop of blood to check if levels are sufficient, insufficient, or deficient, helping you monitor bone health and immune support, but you should always discuss abnormal results with a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
The foods highest in vitamin D are fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines, tuna) and fish liver oils (like cod liver oil), with egg yolks, beef liver, and UV-exposed mushrooms also containing significant amounts, but most people get vitamin D from fortified foods like milk, cereals, and juices.
When vitamin D levels are low and the body isn't able to properly absorb calcium and phosphorus, there is an increased risk of bone pain, bone fractures, muscle pain, and muscle weakness. In older adults, severe vitamin D deficiency (levels less than 10 ng/mL) may also contribute to an increased risk of falls.