Boosting energy with nutritional supplements

by Brandi Schlossberg

When it comes to raising energy levels, the most basic solution is to get plenty of rest. However, getting a full eight hours of sleep is not always possible. From insomnia or anxiety, to staying up late for work or engaging in social activities, there are all kinds of factors that can contribute to a lack of sleep.

Unfortunately, one of the side effects of too little sleep is often low energy, and the feeling that you are dragging through your day is no fun. Even folks who do get a good amount of sleep on a regular basis may find themselves needing more energy due a variety of reasons. To counter this sluggish feeling, a large number of people reach for caffeinated beverages, like coffee or energy drinks.

An alternative to caffeinated drinks may be to reach for the right nutritional supplements instead. There is a category of supplements that can help deliver the same energy-lifting benefits of caffeine without the need to down a couple cups of coffee or soda. By taking just one of these supplements, you can tap into a similar kind of stimulation.

Some of these products simply put caffeine into the form of a pill, powder, or capsule. For example, a green tea nutritional supplement provides a dose of the caffeine and other benefits you might derive from drinking several cups of green tea. Always be sure to check the label to see how much caffeine each dose delivers.

There also are those products that aim to raise energy levels by affecting the body’s metabolism, including Coenzyme Q10, as well as a wide range of B vitamins, from B6 and B12, to folic acid, thiamine, and niacin. Nutritional supplements that deliver amino acids, such as taurine, also fall within this category.

In essence, these nutritional supplements seek to benefit the body’s metabolism and can be particularly helpful if a person is deficient in any of these crucial components. For example, if a person is not eating a diet that has enough CoQ10, B vitamins, or amino acids, then taking the right supplements can be important when it comes to raising one’s energy levels and improving overall health.

Others who might benefit from nutritional supplements are intense athletes or anyone who engages in rigorous physical activity on a regular basis, as well as people who are taking certain medications, like antibiotics or anti-inflammatory pain relievers.