In today’s fast-paced, hyperconnected society, you need to be dialed-in, focused, and running on a full tank 24/7. That means, every day, you have to take all the steps necessary to make sure your energy is performing at its highest.
Sounds exhausting, right?
While eating right, exercising, and practicing mindfulness are all essential for keeping yourself centered and motivated, there’s one more tiny little thing you can do to lift your spirits, which is, adding energy-boosting supplements to your wellness routine.
Curious which supplements will rev up your engine, so you can keep up with all your to-dos? We reached out to the experts for their all-natural recommendations. Here’s what they said:
Vitamin D3
Important to note: Vitamin D3 is not actually a vitamin but a hormone. It has receptors in almost every cell, which only the thyroid hormone has. For energy purposes, it’s crucial to have Vitamin D3 at physiological levels to achieve deep restorative sleep. This, of course, translates to more energy throughout the day. Most people’s blood levels of vitamin D3 are not even close to physiological levels, so a supplement can go a long way in helping you reach a healthy, energy-boosting range. Not to mention, vitamin D actually boosts the immune system, so you’re less likely to drain all of your energy on getting sick. It also boosts your metabolism by 20-30%, resulting in more energy.
Judson Somerville MD, Medical Director
Increasing your daily dose of vitamin D is a no-brainer with our Intense Defense. Packed with 235% of energy-enhancing vitamin D, this tart and spicy shot is an easy addition to your wellness routine.
Iron
Anemia is the most common nutrient deficiency in the United States, and it’s caused by a lack of iron. When your iron levels are low, you’re likely to experience chronic fatigue, among other discomforts.
Diets rich in meat, beans, and iron fortified foods can help prevent or treat the sluggish feelings that are commonly associated with anemia. Taking an iron supplement is also an effective means to raise blood iron levels and increase energy.
Lisa Richards, Nutritionist, The Candida Diet
Wheatgrass Juice
A nourishing and cleansing food, wheatgrass can bolster deep cell health, which results in better energy.
How can your cells be strong and healthy enough to support all the things you do? So many people have nutritional deficiencies from all the toxins presented by our modern society.
Wheatgrass has a dual mechanism that helps us absorb deeper nutrition, while assisting in the removal of toxins from our bodies.
A very small amount of wheatgrass juice contains vitamin C, vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin E, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, sodium, amino acids, chlorophyll, and many trace minerals, like selenium and zinc. Imagine getting those fresh nutrients daily!
Wheatgrass can also help the body detoxify, unclogging the wastes in our cells. When the cells have the nutrients they need and are able to rid themselves of toxins, they can be the power stations they were meant to be.
Jennifer Dillman, Key Cellular Nutrition Super Health Coach
Load up on wheatgrass with our ultra-refreshing Green Up. This gorgeously green shot is filled to the brim with energy-boosting ingredients, like wheatgrass, spirulina, pineapple, lemon, and ginger.
Red Ginseng
Red Ginseng can reduce sleepiness, improve alertness, and result in a more focused state of mind. This natural energy booster is made from HRG80 red ginseng, which has a higher concentration of nutrients than traditional cultivations.
This translates to a more powerful boost in both mental and physical energy, the improvement of the body’s stress response, and a balanced production of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.
Tim O’Brien, CEO, The Healthy Place
L-theanine
Eating healthy, exercising daily, and getting proper eight hours sleep isn’t always enough to maintain the high levels of energy required for balancing the demands of life. Sometimes, you need a boost to your daily routine for lasting energy, and vitamins are an effective place to start. One of the best vitamins you can add to your routine is L-theanine. It’s considered one of the best supplements for decreasing the brain chemicals that contribute to energy-zapping stress and anxiety.
Caffeine
Caffeine, in moderation, is an excellent way for most people to enhance their concentration. If you're prone to anxiety, though, be careful not to overdo it. Too much coffee (in the wrong hands) may cause nervousness, insomnia, irritability, heart palpitations, and even full-blown panic attacks.
Today, billions of people drink traditional caffeine-containing beverages such as coffee, tea, and yerba mate. Caffeine increases alertness, energy, focus, and productivity by increasing dopamine levels in the brain.
MD Kamruzzaman, Health Coach, Substitute Foods
Maca
Maca, the Peruvian plant grown at high altitude in the Andes, is one of those foods that has been shown to be an energy-boosting powerhouse in more ways than one. Maca is a cruciferous vegetable, like broccoli, cauliflower, and kale. It can boost and sustain energy without the jittery feeling coffee can create. It is rich in vitamin C, copper, and iron, as well as protein and fiber. Maca root is ground into a powder and added to lattes, smoothies, cocktails or mock-tails, guacamole or other dips, oatmeal, baked goods, energy bars, and chocolates. It can also be taken as a supplement. You just need a little to enjoy the effects. Most studies find that adding 1.5–5 grams per day to your diet can upgrade how you are fueling, nourishing, and supporting your body.
Barbara Sobel, Clinical Nutritionist, MS, CNS, LDN
