Can’t Stop Yawning? Here Are The Top Vitamins For Tiredness
If you struggle to wake up in the morning or find your energy levels dropping in the afternoon, you’re not alone. But why do we get tired? There are lots of factors that can cause fatigue, with our vitamin and mineral intake being an important one. Here are our top vitamins for tiredness.
Why Do We Feel Tired?
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is vital for the production of your red blood cells and a healthy nervous system. This nutrient also plays a vital role in energy metabolism. When we include vitamin B12 in our diet, it metabolises carbs, proteins and fats and converts them into energy.
Vitamin B12 is most commonly found in animal products, including milk, eggs and poultry. Without enough of it we can suffer from extreme fatigue, pale skin and heart palpitations.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D, otherwise known as ‘the sunshine vitamin’ is created naturally by the body from sunlight. In the winter months, the darker days mean our levels of this nutrient can drop. This is why the Public Department of Health recommends daily vitamin D supplementation between October and March. 1
Iron
Iron is an essential mineral that's needed to make haemoglobin. This protein is found in the red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body.
One of the most common symptoms of iron deficiency is fatigue. You can up your intake by eating iron-rich foods including liver, beans or red meat. Alternatively, try a daily supplement.
Magnesium
According to The Sleep Foundation, magnesium contributes to relaxation and stress reduction, both of which impact sleep. A recent study showed that supplementation of 500mg of magnesium over 8 weeks significantly improved insomnia symptoms of participants. 2
The main symptom of low magnesium is fatigue. This is often coupled with weakness and loss of appetite. Magnesium can be found in whole grains and leafy greens. Supplements are also a great option to boost your intake.
How Can I Fight Tiredness & Fatigue?
Whilst changing your diet can have huge benefits for tiredness, lifestyle choices have an impact too. Here are our top tips for keeping your energy levels up:
Focus On Sleep
Cut The Caffeine
Whilst your morning coffee might give you a quick burst of energy, too much caffeine can actually make you feel worse later on.
Caffeine works by binding to adenosine receptors in the brain. This means once the caffeine wears off, a build-up of adenosine reaches the brain and makes you feel tired.
If you really need a coffee, try to have it before lunch as caffeine can stay in your system for up to 10 hours.
Increase Movement
Talk To Your Doctor
Prolonged, severe tiredness can be a sign of a serious health problem. If you're concerned about your energy levels we recommend you speak to a medical professional.
Take Home Message
Regular periods of tiredness or low energy can stop us from feeling our best. If you often find yourself fighting fatigue, upping your intake of essential vitamins can help. For those on a busy schedule, supplements can be a convenient way to do this. Shop the full range of Myvitamins supplements for energy
