Best Energy Boost Supplements
What A Rush!
Caffeine and sugar-rich foods such as sweets, snacks, tea, and coffee (or combinations of all the above) are the most well-known and effective ways to gain an instant short-term energy boost. However, in recent times, it’s sports and energy drinks that are really on a steep upward trend - in 2019 the UK drank 866 million liters of the stuff!
Caffeine is a safe stimulant, but excessive consumption over a longer period can put greater strain on body organs such as the heart and kidneys and, according to the British Nutrition Foundation, has even been linked to cardiovascular problems. Any side effects from the odd cup of strong coffee are unlikely, but some people are a lot more sensitive to caffeine than others and even a relatively low intake can contribute greatly to problems like poor sleep, anxiety, and certain behavioural problems.
In addition to various high-strength forms of caffeine, most sports and energy drinks also contain incredibly high levels of sugar, with one 500ml, can often containing almost 80g of sucrose. That’s more than double the current recommendation for daily sugar intake, which is 30g a day for adults and children aged 11+. So, what's the problem?
Unfortunately, if you regularly ingest large amounts of concentrated, synthetic forms of simple sugar in this way, it’s likely to encourage weight gain and be bad for your health in the long term.
The sugar-high, sugar-low cycle can leave you feeling completely drained after only a short period of feeling 'boosted', and continuing this pattern will significantly increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, not to mention being terrible for your teeth!
So, as convenient as a quick boost in the form of an energy drink can be, it's not a long-term solution for maintaining high energy levels... so what is?
Energy Essentials
As described in our Eating For Energy article, a varied and balanced diet is the best way to ensure healthy energy levels in the long term. However, if you're using up a lot of energy through exercise, stress, not getting enough sleep, or feelings of poor health for any reason; a good diet might not be enough.
Also, if you’re following any sort of specialized dieting regime such as a keto or low-fat diet, if you don't have time to cook nor can afford to pay for super-healthy meals, or if you simply can’t or won’t eat certain types of food, then the dietary balance can be very difficult to achieve - potentially leaving you short on key nutrients that may affect your energy levels.
In these situations, a good health supplement can make a difference. Here’s a breakdown of our best energy supplements:
B Vitamin Complex
B vitamins are essential for healthy and efficient metabolism – some help break down glucose for energy production while others help make ATP - the essential energy-carrying molecule that fuels every cell in your body. B vitamins also support brain function and hormone regulation, which can help motivation.
VitaBright’s super B complex is a maximum-strength, full-spectrum daily health complex providing all the water-soluble vitamins your body and mind requires in methylated, body-ready chemical forms for maximum absorption. It also includes advanced dual-co-enzyme B12 and ‘lost’ b vitamins inositol, choline, and PABA to improve focus & raise energy levels.
Did You Know? Vitamin B12 is considered particularly important for energy, however, absorption of B12 is difficult and declines with age. It's found in fortified foods or animal products such as meat, fish, milk, cheese, and eggs. That’s why supplements, such as our Vitamin B12 with Black Pepper, are particularly popular with vegans, vegetarians & older adults.
Magnesium
Magnesium is required for more than 300 different chemical reactions within the body and is a major player in the production of ATP. It supports your nervous, muscle development, immunity, a steady heartbeat, and strong bones. As for our mental health, magnesium supports normal functioning of the nervous system and can help to reduce anxiety and improve sleep.
VitaBright’s Magnesium Citrate is very high potency and more absorbable than the mineral forms commonly found in high-street store supplements. Each bottle provides a 4-month supply of 240 easy-to-swallow capsules, which are 100% vegan friendly and free from binders or fillers.
Did You Know? The Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecule is the nucleotide known in biochemistry as the "molecular currency" of intracellular energy transfer because ATP enables energy to be stored and transported within cells.
Iron
Iron plays many critical roles in the body and supports energy production, focus, digestion, the immune system, and body temperature regulation. Iron is necessary for both mental and physical performance because it transports oxygen to the muscles and brain. Low iron levels can cause a lack of concentration, irritation, and exhaustion.
VitaBright’s Gentle Iron Bisglycinate is best for topping up your energy levels since it’s highly absorbable and far more gentle on your stomach than other forms such as ferrous sulphate, which can often cause digestive discomfort.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is best known for its role in blood clotting, however, it also plays an important role in helping your body produce energy by encouraging ATP production in cells. Research has shown that vitamin MK-7 is more absorbable and hence provides more benefits than other forms because it is thought to deposit calcium to your bones and teeth at a higher rate.
VitaBright’s Vitamin K2 MK-7, the most bioavailable and effective form of this essential vitamin, is 100% natural and free from synthetic binders & fillers.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is essential for energy production, with studies suggesting a deficiency may cause weakness and muscle aching. Vitamin C aids proper metabolism, reduces exhaustion and fatigue, and increases iron absorption.
Whilst it’s found in many foods, vitamin C is not stored by the body, so levels need to be kept up daily. However, this potent vitamin's remarkable benefits aren't confined to its immune-boosting characteristics. Vitamin C aids proper metabolism, reduces exhaustion and fatigue, and increases iron absorption.
Tiredness affects many people's daily lives, and this could imply a vitamin C deficiency. VitaBright's high-strength Vitamin C 1000mg with Wild Rosehip & Citrus Bioflavonoids tablets provide a potent dose to help keep sleepiness and lethargy at bay. They are 100% vegan and vegetarian-friendly, free from allergens, and manufactured in the UK.
Probiotics
Improving gut health may not be an obvious route when it comes to boosting energy. However, if your gut microbiota isn’t up to scratch you may not be absorbing nutrients effectively, including those your body needs for metabolism. Taking a probiotic supplement that provides a good amount of microorganisms from multiple strains can be an effective way to keep things in balance.
Moreover, anxiety and chronic fatigue syndrome often go hand in hand. According to new research, harmful bacteria in your digestive tract communicate with your brain and alter emotion and anxiety-related behavior. Adding a probiotic supplement could improve your anxiety levels, hopefully leaving you feeling more motivated.
VitaBright’s Advanced Probiotics Complex delivers 17 different strains, with prebiotics (inulin), at a total strength of *45 billion CFUs (CFU stands for colony forming unit and is a measurement of the number of viable bacteria in a sample). It is also a synbiotic supplement, meaning it contains prebiotic substances (inulin) to provide fuel and increase the rate of effectiveness of the live cultures. It is 100% vegan/vegetarian friendly, suitable for children (12+), and manufactured in the UK.
🔥Hot Tip: Keep an eye out for probiotic products making ‘source powder’ strength claims. Some advertisers try and mislead buyers by quoting the strength of the concentrated source powder used, instead of the strength of the actual supplement.
Flower Power
Besides vitamin & mineral supplements, what else could help give your energy levels a bit of a lift?
Ashwagandha
This potent herb has been used for its natural healing and energy-giving abilities for thousands of years. It's well-known as a herbal remedy for stress and anxiety relief, which are both conditions that can send your energy levels plummeting. It is also thought to promote feelings of well-being, improve athletic performance and help regulate hormone levels.
If you’d like to give it a try, be sure to use Vitabright’s high-strength Organic KSM-66 Ashwagandha capsules. Our award-winning capsules are 100% organic, highly absorbable, and vegan friendly.
Hemp seed oil
Hemp is an amazing plant that has many potential health benefits and could be an essential supplement if you’re low on energy. It’s a great source of prebiotic fibers and complete plant-based protein (Made up of all 9 essential amino acids), contains the ‘perfect ratio’ of omega 3,6 & 9 fatty acids, and delivers important minerals such as iron and magnesium - all of which combines to help your body combat tiredness and fatigue.
VitaBright’s Hemp Seed Oil is 100% pure & natural, highly absorbable, and cold-pressed for maximum benefit.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek is one of the world’s oldest medicinal herbs and many of its traditional uses are now supported by modern science. Fenugreek supplements have long been associated with improving hormone levels and reducing symptoms associated with low levels. In one study, male testosterone levels increased by up to 46% in an impressive 90% of participants.
VitaBright's high-strength Fenugreek capsules are filled with organic plant-based natural ingredients. They contain no additives, no binders, and no fillers. Our Fenugreek capsules are 100% vegan friendly and made in the UK to the highest manufacturing standards in the world.
Maca Root
A plant grown in the Andes, maca is a root vegetable traditionally used in Peruvian medicine. Known as ‘Peruvian ginseng’, it’s perhaps most famous for its ability to boost fertility, sex drive, and libido. But maca root also has an incredibly impressive nutritional profile and is renowned for increasing energy levels, with this small-scale study indicating it may help boost sports performance.
VitaBright’s high-strength Maca Root Extract capsules are of great value and include black pepper to boost absorption. This potent blend combines extracts of black and yellow maca root is sustainably sourced and is vegan/vegetarian friendly.
Maca is high in flavonoids, which are known to help with mood and anxiety. Research suggests it may be particularly effective in alleviating anxiety and depression in postmenopausal women.
Did you know? Maca root may also be good for your brain – in fact, in the central Peruvian Andes it’s traditionally used to improve children’s performance at school.
Consistency Is Key
The problem with the word 'boost' is that it implies a sharp, rapid rise in energy levels... which will inevitably lead to a sharp, rapid drop in energy levels at some point in the near future. You could try boosting again, but then you'll drop twice as far, and by this point, you've probably put your body through quite a lot!
Maintaining energy levels using 'boosters' is not a good long-term strategy. A better solution is to try and ensure you eat and sleep plentifully and regularly and that your diet, with or without supplements, provides balanced nutrition that gives your body all the fuel it needs.
If you suffer from low energy, we'd advise trying to think about what might be missing from your diet and/or which of your body systems might be out of balance, in this way you can try to find the right nutrition to fill the gap.
That said, the nutrients you are most likely to be running short on, are the essential water-soluble vitamins that your body cannot store i.e. B-vitamins & Vitamin C. So if you have no idea what is causing your low energy levels, we'd suggest starting there.
