Oxygen needs to be delivered to your brain by your red blood cells for you to feel energetic. Many people are not receiving the oxygen that they need because they do not have enough iron in their system. Iron is obtained through grains, meat, eggs, vegetables and supplements. Absorption of iron is greatly increased when it is in the presence of vitamin C in the stomach. Low iron levels contribute greatly to low energy levels, but so do high iron levels. You should have your doctor check your iron levels before you supplement. You can increase your iron absorption by combining vitamin C supplements or foods high in vitamin C with your meals that contain iron.
Vitamin B12 also acts on your red blood cells to help them deliver oxygen to the brain. Vitamin B12 works best when in the presence of folic acid. It actually helps red blood cells to form and enables the body to draw energy from the fats and carbohydrates that we eat. Low levels of vitamin B12 are a common cause of fatigue and many people benefit from B12 injections. It is important to have a good balance of B vitamins and don’t overdo it with any one B vitamin. This is why some doctors recommend a B complex vitamin to their patients. Speak with your doctor about monitoring the levels of B vitamins in your system as you supplement.
Folic acid is another B vitamin that is needed for energy. It, like vitamin B12, helps to form red blood cells. Folic acid deficiencies are common because it is easily destroyed when food is cooked. Have your doctor test for B12 vitamin deficiencies and folic acid deficiencies at the same time because deficiencies in both have the same symptoms. People that are deficient in either experience symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, depression, memory loss, confusion, weakness and pale skin.
Magnesium deficiency is the most common deficiency. Low magnesium levels cause muscle cramps, long-term or chronic fatigue, high blood pressure, and irritability. Magnesium is directly responsible for producing the molecule Adenosine Tri Phosphate (ATP) which controls our metabolism. Deficiency is so common because, as Americans, we do not consume much magnesium in our diets. Furthermore, we lose our magnesium when we use antibiotics, drink alcohol, or experience anything else that makes us excrete more urine. Testing for magnesium deficiency is usually done through a hair test and is not commonly recommended. Instead, doctors will advise patients to take a magnesium supplement and monitor symptoms. If symptoms worsen, then it can generally be assumed that calcium is deficient, not magnesium.
When our body transforms food into energy, it creates by-products called free radicals. Free radicals cause body-wide inflammation, fatigue, cell damage, and can lead to a multitude of health conditions. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that goes through the body cleaning up free radicals and preventing cell damage. Vitamin C helps other vitamins and minerals to perform their intended functions and can help you to maintain energy in a number of ways. Choosing the can help your other vitamins and supplements to work faster while protecting your body from free radical damage.
Speak with your doctor about supplementing before you buy vitamins to combat fatigue. Choosing vitamins in their most absorbable form can help you get your energy back and replenish vitamin stores more quickly.
About the Author: Phil Le Breton, the owner at Wholesale Nutrition, has a strong interest in helping people achieve greater brain and body health with vitamins and supplements. Wholesale Nutrition has the powder on the market (C-Salts). Visit http://www.nutri.com to or buy supplements of the highest quality.
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