Life can be overwhelming at times. With everyday demands such as work, family and social, you can feel harried. Many of us feel the need to revitalize and energize our minds and bodies, starting afresh with our best foot forward. This can sometimes feel like an uphill climb, however—not only do energy-thieving habits (staying indoors, comfort eating, too much time in front of the computer and so on) leave us with a “health debt”. Of course, eating good nutritious food is the best way to optimal health but many foods today are not as nutritious as they were in decades past, making it hard to restore one’s energy even when eating right.
As such, we turn to supplements for a much-needed boost, but there is such a plethora of options to choose from that it’s hard to sort out which we need in order to amp up our energy, and which are better suited to other purposes. To aid in you in creating an effective “power cocktail”, we’ve outlined top 6 natural supplements for restoring energy and vitality below:
1. Ginseng
Ginseng is so powerfully energizing that it’s become a common additive in commercial energy drinks, helping to propel them to widespread popularity. Thankfully, you can get all the benefits without the artificial ingredients and sugars by taking this amazing plant in supplement form.
Chinese medicine has long employed ginseng for a variety of purposes, and today modern research has proven the herb to be beneficial to the immune system, to lower blood sugar levels, and to improve concentration and learning. Currently scientists are evaluating the ability of ginseng as a mood improver, endurance enhancer, and a whole lot more. All totalled, you can’t go wrong with this powerful plant!
For more info on the benefits of ginseng, go to our Youthful Longevity pages.
2. Magnesium
Magnesium deficiency is one of the great “silent epidemics” of modern nutrition, with experts in the U.S. claiming that the vast majority of us aren’t eating enough foods with magnesium.
Low magnesium levels lead to fatigue, increased inflammation in the body, and may contribute to heart disease, osteoperosis, diabetes, and certain cancers. It’s also one of the most common causes of chronic insomnia, making this supplement a “must have” if you have trouble sleeping and low energy levels as a result.
3. Rhodiola rosea
This herb, which is little-known today, was used extensively in ancient times owing to its remarkable ability to restore vitality. Thanks to modern research, we know Rhodiola can strengthen the nervous and immune systems, maintain healthy mood, and help improve energy levels and vitality.
For more info on the benefits of rhodiola, go to our Youthful Longevity pages.
4. Ashwagandha
This supplement, which has been used in India for centuries, is thought to boost the immune system and reduce swelling from both arthritis and fluid retention. Additionally, it is known for its calming effect.
Generally, however, the most energy-enhancing effect of Ashwagandha is its high levels of iron—iron deficiency is one of the most common culprits in chronic fatigue. (If you can’t find Ashwagandha, you can also supplement iron directly.)
5. B vitamins
B might as well stand for “buzz” with all the energy these essential vitamins supply. The B family of vitamins are known to improve mood, memory, vitality and concentration. They are also known to speed the healing process, particularly vitamin B3 and Pantothenic Acid. Biotin, when used in combination with chromium, may also help to control blood-sugar. Conversely, a lack of certain B vitamins, notably B12, can have a very harmful or even fatal effect on the body, so getting your Bs is extremely important to overall health.
6. Spirulina
Spirulina is often called a herb, but it’s actually an extremely nutrient-rich form of algae known as a “cyanbacteria”. This algae is one of the most complete nutrient sources we know of, containing high levels of protein, iron, and essential amino acids, and being one of the few plant-based sources of vitamin B12. It’s also a source of gamma linolenic acid (GLA), a powerful anti-inflammatory which is found in few other foods. Spirulina also contains: vitamins B1(thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (nicotinamide), B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folic acid), vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin A and vitamin E, potassium, calcium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc.
Stay educated! One of the easiest ways to boost yourself mentally and to ensure that you continue to feel healthy is to keep learning. Ensuring that your mind is active, engaged and always taking on something new is one of the sure-fire ways to guarantee longevity in the mind. Educating yourself and taking on new challenges will keep your mind hopping around, and this will in turn make sure that you never look or feel too unhealthy! Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to your wellness. Subscribe now for our tips and information on health, beauty and wellness.
