It is okay to feel tired after a long day at the office, or a particularly demanding day at home. Perhaps you pushed yourself extra hard at the gym today, or maybe, the long commute and traffic drained you.
However, trouble looms when fatigue becomes a perpetual part of your life. You always feel lethargic. People might call you lazy, but that’s not it; you simply do not have the energy to do so many things.
There are several reasons for chronic fatigue. Being ill, not taking a good diet, eating too much sugar can cause the energy levels to crash. However, chronic fatigue may also have unexplained causes.
It is thus important that you visit the Best General Physician in Lahore for diagnosis regarding your health. Many times, it is the case of nutrient deficiency. Some supplements to help you battle fatigue include:
Magnesium supplement
Magnesium is a very important micronutrient. It helps the body in generating energy from food. Moreover, the body also uses magnesium for protein production.
Magnesium deficiency, alongside fatigue, also causes muscular spasms and stiffness. It also leads to digestive issues like nausea and loss of appetite. The latter leads to even lower energy levels.
Foods rich in magnesium include green leafy vegetables like spinach, nuts, avocados etc. However, if your diet is still insufficient in replenishing your magnesium levels, you should consider getting a magnesium supplement.
Vitamin D supplement
Another nutrient that is important for your energy levels is vitamin D. Not only does its deficiency in itself cause lowered energy levels, but it also leads to conditions like depression, that in turn cause fatigue.
Vitamin D deficiency is very common globally, but some people have higher propensity for it. People with dark skin, those who are obese, and those who are old and live-in cold environments are more likely to be deficient in vitamin D.
Getting sufficient sunlight is one easy way to boost your vitamin D levels. You can also take vitamin D supplements in oral form to get your levels back on track.
B-Group Vitamins supplement
One of the most important groups of vitamins comes under the banner of B12 vitamins. These also help convert food to energy, alongside preventing anemia. This deficiency disease causes lethargy and extreme weakness.
Similarly, B group vitamins also keep the nerves healthy. Therefore, the lack of sufficient B-12 in the body has a dire impact on the energy levels.
Since these vitamins are found in animal protein sources, like fish, dairy, meat, people who do not consume balanced quantities of these foods are more likely to suffer from B-group-vitamin deficiency. Vegans have great risk of developing the deficiency.
However, there are supplements that you can take to boost your energy levels.
Iron supplement
Iron is the most important component of hemoglobin, the compound in the blood cells that transports oxygen. Insufficient iron means that the body’s oxygen demands are thus not being met. This condition is known as iron deficiency anemia.
Anemic patients suffer from fatigue and tiredness. They do not have sufficient energy to be active. Good news is that iron can be replenished through diet. Green leafy vegetables, meat, and dark chocolate are some examples of food sources of iron.
However, you can also take iron supplements as well. If the levels are dangerously low, your doctor may also put you iron on IV as it is absorbed faster and in greater quantities by the body.
Coenzyme Q10
Also known as CoQ10, this enzyme is produced by the body to protect the organs from oxidative stress. It also plays a part in production of energy in the body. Thus, when the levels of this enzyme decline, fatigue ensues.
There are many factors that contribute towards the lowered Coenzyme Q10 levels; diabetes, heart failure and age are some of the factors that can lower its levels. Such people can then use supplements to boost their CoQ10 supply and thus, also increase their energy levels as well.
Ashwagandha
You might not be aware of this herb, but it has been an important part of the Indian traditional medicine due to the immense benefits that it offers.
It helps increase the energy levels in the body, by fortifying the body against stress. It also helps in lowering the levels of stress hormones in the body. Since stress is a harbinger of so many ailments, the fact that Ashwagandha remedies it has great importance for overall health, whether it be physical or mental.
It is also helpful for curing fatigue in general, but especially that associated with exercise.
Word of caution
The above-mentioned supplements are all known to help increase the energy levels in the body, provided they are addressing the correct cause. There might also be other non-nutritional causes behind the fatigue.
Moreover, supplements might also not suit you, or may interact with any medication or health condition that you may be having. Therefore, it is vital that you consult the Best General Physician in Islamabad before starting the supplements and take them at the discretion of the doctor alone.