By Julie Harris, R.D.
Best Energy Supplements
16 Best Energy Supplements Plus Three Ways to Naturally Boost Energy
Busy and unpredictable lives cause many people to feel unenergized and fatigued. Low energy levels linger on, making it challenging to complete daily activities and perform your best.
Many supplements claim to increase energy and provide health benefits. The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate supplements, so it’s not always a guarantee they do what they claim.
This article digs into the best supplements that may give you a needed boost of energy.
OLLY Daily Energy Gummy
These tangy tropical-flavored gummies go down like a piece of candy. Yet, give you all the health benefits and a steady energy boost you get from vitamin B12 and CoQ10 combined.
Both vitamin B12 and CoQ10 play a central role in cellular energy. When your body does not get enough of these compounds, taking a supplement can boost energy levels.
Vegans and those with gastrointestinal disorders are at a higher risk for vitamin B12 deficiency. In addition, aging decreases CoQ10 levels, thus turning to a supplement can help.
Olly Nutrition believes in offering products with functional ingredients that can have a powerful impact on overall health. Carefully flavored and science-driven, Olly creates a product with 73% of customers writing a 5-star review on Amazon.
Nature’s Bounty Energy Complex Gummies
Nature’s Bounty Energy Complex Gummies provide their energy boost from vitamin B12 and a unique blend of Guarana Seed, Kola Nut & Green Tea Extract. Take note these herbs naturally have caffeine in them.
The recommended daily intake (RDI) for vitamin B12 for people over 14 years old is 2.4 micrograms (mcg). Many people meet their needs through a balanced diet.
Yet, certain individuals, like those following a restrictive vegan diet, may find it challenging to meet their needs. Plus, the RDI increases for pregnant and lactating women, aging adults, and individuals with chronic diseases.
Nature’s Bounty Energy Complex Gummies provides 250 mcg of vitamin B12 and maintains a 4.5-star rating on Amazon. Many reviewers mention a pleasant watermelon flavor and very little after-taste.
HumanN SuperBeets Energy Plus
SuperBeets supplement are beets that are dehydrated into crystals and manufactured into a powder. Beets are naturally high in nitrates that your body uses to convert into nitric oxide. Nitric oxide helps protect cells from damage and may decrease blood pressure and heart health
HumanN SuperBeets Energy Plus contains green tea extract and caffeine, both promoting energy and mental focus. The low-calorie supplement has potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C.
You can easily make this drink by mixing one teaspoon in four to six ounces of water. The supplement comes in a variety of flavors, including black cherry, natural berry flavor, and beets flavor.
Beetroot supplements appear to be safe, but keep in mind there’s very limited research on its safety. However, there are health risks from excessive caffeine intake, so be careful to balance this supplement with other caffeine-rich products.
Nature’s Way Garden Veggies
Nature’s Way Garden Veggies Supplement is a dried vegetable powder served up in capsule form.
Nature’s Way blends together powder made from broccoli, spinach, carrot, beet, pea, tomato, cabbage, cauliflower, pumpkin, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, and cucumber. The label confirms the capsules are gluten free, vegetarian, free from yeast, wheat, soy, dairy, and artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. However, it’s difficult to confirm the nutritional facts for this supplement because the label does not break down the ingredients.
The manufacturer suggests getting the most bang for your buck by adding this supplement to your healthy breakfast.
Nature’s Way Garden Veggies are popular on Amazon, with a 4.5-star rating. Plus, many reviewers on Amazon mention increased energy levels after taking the Garden Veggie Supplement.
Nested Naturals Super Greens
Nested Naturals has confidence that you’ll be satisfied with their Super Greens food powder. If you don’t, they offer a full refund.
Super Greens is a fine powder blended from vegetables, fruits, spirulina, green tea extract, gingko leaf extract, and other organic ingredients. These ingredients help boost energy levels, promote healthy digestion, and fill in any nutritional gaps that you may have.
The label contains very detailed information, helping you trust what’s in this supplement. But keep in mind manufacturers may have a tough time preventing contamination during processing.
Most of the research on food powders supports long-term health. Focus on adding supplements to your balanced meals.
Common Energy Supplement Ingredients
Caffeine
Caffeine is a highly researched energy supplement. They’re safe for most people, but are harmful if taken in high doses, taken with certain medications, or if you have heart disease or high blood pressure.
Caffeine tablets can help you stay awake, increase energy levels, and give mental clarity. It’s critical to follow the recommended directions and discuss your health history with your healthcare provider prior to adding caffeine tablets to your daily routine.
Natrol High Caffeine Tablets are 200 milligrams of caffeine per serving, which is the same as a cup of coffee.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha, an ancient plant with yellow flowers, may relieve stress and increase energy levels. The name is Sanskrit and means smell of the horse, referring to ashwagandha’s unique smell and powerful effects.
Some studies have shown ashwagandha helps reduce cortisol, which is a hormone that gets released by your adrenal glands when you feel stress. Chronic high levels of cortisol affect your overall health and energy levels.
Ashwagandha is considered safe for most people when taken as recommended. Although, it’s recommended people with autoimmune diseases, thyroid disease, and pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take ashwagandha supplements.
They make NutriRise Ashwagandha from certified organic ashwagandha root powder in the USA. They also have a third party test their supplement for safety and purity. Plus, there are no fillers, binders, or artificial ingredients.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is a nutrient which plays a major role in metabolism, nerve function, red blood cell formation, and production of DNA. When one of these functions is less than optimal, your energy levels sink.
Clinical deficiency of vitamin B12 is rare. However, following a vegetarian or vegan diet increases your risk for low levels of this essential nutrient, as plant foods do not contain this vitamin.
Vitafusion’s raspberry-flavored vitamin B12 gummy is the recipient of the 2018 ChefsBest Excellence Award, given for surpassing quality standards established by independent professional chefs. The popular supplement also has 5 out 5-star rating from nearly 6,000 reviewers on Amazon.
CoQ10
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) naturally occurs in the body, but productions of this nutrient decrease with age and with certain health conditions. Supplements can replenish levels so you can stay energized and healthy.
This nutrient is an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage and generating energy for your metabolism system. There are two forms of CoQ10 – ubiquinol and ubiquinone. Ubiquinol is the most absorbable form, so choose supplements containing ubiquinol.
NOW packages the Ubiquinol supplements in the USA and the manufacturing process has an NPA A-rated, ensuring all processes have been tested for safety. This supplement is a soft gel. Since CoQ10 is slowly absorbed, it’s recommended to take with food.
Iron
Iron is an essential nutrient that helps keep you healthy and energized. Hemoglobin is a protein molecule in the red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. Low levels of iron affect this process, upsetting the way you feel.
Low iron is common, but not always easy to diagnose. Talk with your health care provider before taking iron supplements.
It’s recommended to take Nature’s Bounty Iron tablets with a meal. Since vitamin C helps the body absorb iron, consider taking it with foods high in vitamin C or with your vitamin C supplement.
Creatine
Creatine plays a major role in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. This organic compound provides energy and supports many processes.
Creatine is a popular supplement. It’s known for supporting muscle growth and energy levels. The highly researched supplement has several clinical trials showing it to be safe for most individuals.
Thorne Research’s Creatine powder is free from gluten, eggs, tree nuts, soy, dairy, yeast, shellfish, and artificial ingredients. Plus, a third party certified the manufacturing facility for safety.
Add creatine powder to water, juice, or any beverage one time a day.
Citrulline
Citrulline is an amino acid that is naturally found in the body. It’s considered nonessential, which means our bodies typically make enough on its own.
However, higher levels may have added health benefits, especially if you’re looking to increase energy levels and exercise performance.
Citrulline is not used to build proteins, like other amino acids. But it helps widen blood vessels, which may improve oxygen flow and muscle growth.
As a powder, mix it in with a smoothie, juice, water, or just milk.
Beet Root Powder
Beets are one of the best foods for energy-boosting abilities. Beets contain nitrates, which produce cellular energy. Take advantage of beet’s health benefits through beet root powder.
One teaspoon of HumanN Superbeets provides the functional health benefits of 1.5 cups of beet root. Mix one serving with water and enjoy as a black cherry flavored drink.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone made naturally in the body and plays a major role in sleep. Many factors, such as age, stress, and diseases, decreases production, making it harder to get quality sleep.
Melatonin supplement is highly popular and effective in supporting our natural sleep cycles. More sleep means you wake up feeling refreshed and energized.
Natrols’ melatonin tablets are 100% vegetarian, 100% drug free, and are non-habit forming. Nearly 1500 Amazon reviewers rate this supplement as a 5 out of 5.
L-Theanine
L-Theanine is an amino acid. It’s found in tea and some mushrooms. Some research shows that the compound helps transmit nerve impulses in the brain and seems to improve a person’s attention span. Plus, people report it helps them relax.
The research is mixed, and we need more to establish guidelines and recommendations. Yet, many people report the supplement helps them feel more alert and less tired.
Most supplements, including H.V.M.N., combine L-theanine with caffeine, which makes it fast acting.
H.V.M.N. designed Sprint to improve cognitive abilities and decrease fatigue. The capsules are easy to take and are zero-calorie, sugar-free, and contain no artificial sweeteners.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, has several important functions. Vitamin D helps support a healthy immune system and is critical for normal growth and development of bones and teeth. Deficiency of this vitamin is becoming more common, as we spend more time indoors.
Poorly functioning immune systems and poor bone health can affect how much energy you have and your ability to take part in activities.
Get the most from your vitamin D supplement by taking it with food. Solgar Vitamin D3 comes as soft gels and are non-GMO, gluten free, dairy free, and artificial preservatives and colors. Amazon reviewers give an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 for Solgar Vitamin D3 supplement.
Other Ways to Boost Your Energy Naturally
Here are three proven ways to boost your energy levels naturally – small changes can lead to a big difference in how you feel!
Proper Diet
Eating habits can affect your day-to-day energy since your body needs a variety of foods to function at its best.
Try to avoid lots of processed foods high in sugar and fat with few vitamins and minerals. Add more whole, nutritious foods to your plate.
Plus, if you routinely skip meals, you are more likely to experience fatigue. Aim to eat enough calories throughout the day to keep energy levels high.
Exercise
You may say you’re too tired to exercise. But moving more actually supports higher energy levels. Just taking a brisk walk for 10 minutes can give you a boost of energy.
Regular body movement and exercise is great for both your energy levels and your overall health.
Healthy Sleep and Other Habits
Assess your overall sleeping habits and other behaviors to determine what may cause low energy. Smoking, poor sleep, and alcoholic drinks can all make you feel more tired and less energized.
Plus, stay hydrated every day. If you don’t feel thirsty, you may try tracking your water to avoid dehydration. Water is an essential nutrient that supports nearly every organ and process in the body. That’s why fatigue is a sign of dehydration.
Takeaway
Many people may think feeling fatigued is normal. Yet, there are ways to improve how you feel.
If you’re chronically tired with low energy, look at your lifestyle to see what supplements and healthy changes you can make to boost your energy.
References
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25421976/
https://blog.priceplow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/withania_review.pdf
