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10 Natural Energy Supplements that Help You Feel More Alert

You can give your body the energy boost it needs from day to day from a variety of sources. Read on to learn more about them and what they can do to help you be at your best—healthfully.

vitamins for energy, how to stay awake, energy, energy foods, natural energy supplement | Post by: Lisa Ferber | September 11, 2018

You want to feel at the top of your game 24/7, but there are times when that combo of an early spin class followed by a full day at work and a late night out can leave you running on empty. How do you quickly bring your energy level back up so you feel ready to face whatever you’ve got going on?

Well first, let’s take a step back. You already know that continuously replenishing your body with proper nutrients is key to maintaining your energy supply. What you might not know is how the nutrients become energy. Here’s the lowdown: Mitochondria in your cells, known as the “powerhouses of the cell,” are what convert sugars, fats and proteins from the food you eat into usable energy, otherwise known as Adenosine Triphosphate, or ATP. However, if you find that eating healthfully just doesn’t seem to be enough to keep you going the way you want to be, you might want to try using natural energy supplements to get that extra boost.

As with any fitness or nutritional plan, check with your doctor before adding natural energy supplements to your lifestyle. Once you’re in the clear, consider what the following natural energy supplements can do for you, depending on what your individual energy needs may be.

THE BEST NATURAL ENERGY SUPPLEMENTS

1. Vitamin B-12

You definitely need enough of this essential vitamin in your diet as it is required for the chemical reaction known as the Krebs cycle, whereby the Mitochondria convert food to ATP. B-12 helps make this energy cycle work in our bodies. Deficiency in Vitamin B-12 can lead to weakness, lightheadedness, vision loss, and other issues that you can slow you down. You can find B-12 in meat, fish, poultry and dairy products.

2. Coenzyme Q10

CoQ10 is an antioxidant that our bodies naturally produce. It helps your system turn energy into ATP, and it assists in preventing free radical damage. Our bodies make less CoQ10 as we age, which can lead to chronic fatigue. In order to make sure you’ve got enough CoQ10 in your system to help your cell growth and maintenance, eat meats such as chicken and beef, as well as lentils, cauliflower, pistachios, and oranges.

3. Rhodiola rosea

This yellow-flowered herb is known for increasing energy. It’s also an adaptogen, which means it helps the body ward off the effects of various types of stress you can encounter (like that Monday morning commute). Rhodiola is grown in the higher regions of the Arctic, as well as in mountainous areas in Asia and Europe. A report in National Geographic states that the Russians found Rhodiola to be helpful in increasing its Olympic athletes’ endurance, and it’s known to give the body a boost without the sudden crash that may come from other stimulants.

4. Goji berries

This superfood has been used in Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years. The little red fruits are rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and other antioxidants and are used to raise energy levels, as well as aid in the ability to focus. Find these tart, slightly bitter berries in dried form (try them on your cereal or in your yogurt), in juices and in supplements such as RECHARGE HEALTH centered energy.

5. Magnesium

Magnesium This essential mineral helps with an array of important functions in your body. According to WebMD it regulates blood pressure, helps keep your bones strong, and aids in maintaining a steady heart rhythm. It’s necessary for glycolysis (the breaking down of glucose to release energy and pyruvic acid), and it regulates blood pressure as well as muscle and nerve function. Too little magnesium can lead to fatigue, muscle tingling, and nausea. Like B-12, magnesium is also essential for the production ATP. Find it in green, leafy vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and avocados.

 

6. Ginseng

This class of sweet-tasting herbs has been used in Asia and North America for a few centuries. The two main varieties of ginseng are Asian or Korean (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). Ginseng has long been used to stimulate energy both mentally and physically, and can be helpful with reducing cholesterol levels and stress and promoting relaxation. Ginseng as a tea has a pleasant flavor and you can also consume it in a tangy candy.

7. Iodine
Iodine is essential for the production of the thyroid hormone, as the body does not produce it organically. Low iodine can lead to issues such as hypothyroidism, which causes fatigue, dry skin and depression. The American Thyroid Association states that approximately 40% of the world’s population remains at risk for iodine deficiency, though the deficiency is primarily found in third world countries. Iodine deficiency used to be more common in the U.S. until the introduction of iodized salt. You can also find iodine in seaweed, prunes, lima beans, and a variety of fish and dairy foods.

8. Vitamin B-3

Vitamin B-3, also known as niacin, is a water-soluble part of the family of eight B vitamins. Water-soluble means the body doesn’t store it (as opposed to fat-soluble vitamins), so you want to make sure to get enough daily. It helps your system convert food into energy, and a deficiency can lead to fatigue, depression and mental issues. The Mayo Clinic reports that it can help boost your HDL, or good cholesterol. You can find this important nutrient in meat, fish, eggs, milk, beans, grains, and green veggies.

9. Acetyl L-carnitine

Acetyl-L-carnitine is an amino acid that encourages energy production in your body by bringing fatty acids from the blood to the mitochondria to facilitate the fatty acids’ conversion into energy. It also may help treat blood sugar issues, depression, and nerve issues. Carnitine is produced naturally in the body, and Acetyl-L-carnitine is available as a supplement. According to the National Institutes of Health, good doses of carnitine can be found in cheese, milk, chicken and beef.

10. Maidenhair tree (a.k.a. Ginkgo biloba)

This plant-based nutrient has a long history in Chinese medicine. It has been used to treat bronchitis, allergies, asthma, eye issues, anxiety and memory issues. It’s full of antioxidants so it may help fight inflammation, and contains terpenoids, which dilate blood vessels to improve circulation. This encourages healthy blood circulation in your brain, which helps you stay energized as well as guard against neuron damage. The plant’s extract can be ingested as a supplement or a tea.

 

RECHARGE HEALTH centered energy contains many of the healthy, natural energy supplements discussed in this article, including Vitamin B-12, CoQ10, Rhodiola rosea, and goji berries.