Fight Fatigue with Vitamin D and Vitamin B

Always Feeling Tired? Vitamins for Energy May Be Deficient

Jul 6, 2009

Constant tiredness, accompanied by irritable moods, depression, or unexplained aches might be a sign of vitamin B or D deficiency, key vitamins for fighting fatigue.

Many people suffering from chronic tiredness, bad moods, achiness or unusual stress find out that all their symptoms were caused by a simple vitamin deficiency – often in vitamin D or B. If thyroid, other hormones, iron levels and hemoglobin have checked out, the next thing to consider as a cause of tiredness and fatigue is the possibility of a vitamin deficiency.

Always Feeling Tired? B and D Fight Fatigue

Vitamin D and the B vitamins (there are several) all play vital roles in the human body. One of the most apparent benefits of vitamins B and D – at least, the most apparent when they are deficient – is their role in energy and vitality.

People who are deficient in either of these vitamins often come to their doctors with constant symptoms of fatigue, tiredness, exhaustion, moodiness, depression, and sometimes body aches and pains. If everything else checks out, it's time to look at these vitamins.

Vitamin D for Energy and Immunity

People who spend plenty of time outside are rarely deficient in vitamin D. That's because one of the best sources of vitamin D is the sun. Vitamin D is also found in dairy, fish and in many nutritional supplements.

Vitamin D is related to mood and energy levels and plays a role in winter SAD (seasonal affective disorder) – a seasonal mood disorder or depression that affects people who don't get enough sunshine during the winter months. Vitamin D is also needed for strong bones, to prevent osteoporosis, and has been linked to the health of the immune system.

In serious cases, vitamin D deficiency has been connected with multiple sclerosis, autoimmune disorders, and cancer.

B Vitamins for Metabolism, Energy and Brain Health

There are eight unique B vitamins, each with its own role in cell metabolism – the absorption and processing of nutrients, the manufacture of key chemicals in the human body, and other processes that cells must perform to live. B6, for example, is necessary for the human body to produce the brain chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine, which affect mood, thinking, and metabolic rate. B12 is necessary for cells to make DNA and helps to maintain nerve cells and the brain.

Serious deficiencies of B vitamins each have different results, but almost any small vitamin B deficiency will make people feel tired and sluggish. Some B vitamins (like B1 and B2) also produce loss of appetite when they are deficient.

B vitamins are vital for the function of the brain and for normal energy and vitality. These vitamins are found in meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, cereal grains, legumes (beans, peas, chickpeas) and many vegetables.

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The copyright of the article Fight Fatigue with Vitamin D and Vitamin B in Natural Medicine is owned by Victoria Anisman-Reiner. Permission to republish Fight Fatigue with Vitamin D and Vitamin B in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.