Category Archives: Boost energy!

40 Healthy Foods that Boost Energy- the Master List

Want to boost energy, prevent fatigue, and restore mental alertness? In addition to taking daily vitamins and minerals, and preventing vitamin B12 deficiency, it’s important to make sure you’re eating the right foods for maximum energy.

40 Healthy Foods that Restore Energy- the Master List

Boost energy with these foods

For more energy throughout the day, you need to fill up on foods with high-octane, complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and soluble fibers for normal digestion.

Look for energizing foods that provide antioxidants, minerals, and plenty of B vitamins for stamina, neurological integrity, and healthy metabolism.

Below is a list of the best healthy foods that provide the most energy.

  1. Apples– healthy fiber, fructose, vitamin C, antioxidants, and boron for alertness
  2. Bananas– B-vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, healthy fiber, and potassium
  3. Red bell peppers– vitamin C, healthy fiber, phytochemical lycopene, and vitamin B6.
  4. Carrots– healthy fiber, Beta-Carotene
  5. Celery– water, fiber, vitamin C, B-vitamins, potassium and sodium
  6. Tomatoes– vitamin C
  7. Sweet potatoes– vitamin A, vitamin C
  8. Pumpkin– potassium, fiber, vitamin A
  9. Spinach– iron, vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, and folate
  10. Cantaloupe– B-vitamins, potassium, fructose, and water
  11. Watermelon– B-vitamins, potassium, fructose, and water
  12. Pineapple– Vitamin C and bromelain
  13. Mango– Vitamin C
  14. Sea vegetables– calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium
  15. Dried figs– iron, potassium
  16. Raisins– iron, potassium
  17. Strawberries– vitamin C, soluble fiber, antioxidants
  18. Blueberries– antioxidants
  19. Sauerkraut– probiotic balance
  20. Tossed leafy green salad– iron, vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, and folate
  21. Kidney beans– soluble fiber, vitamin B, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc and calcium
  22. Hummus– protein, soluble fiber, iron, vitamin C, vitamin B, magnesium, potassium, zinc, calcium and folate.
  23. Soy– soluble fiber, vitamin B, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc and calcium
  24. Lean meatsvitamin B12, tyrosine
  25. Lentils– soluble fiber, vitamin B, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc and calcium
  26. Crabvitamin B12, lean protein
  27. Salmonvitamin B12, low-fat protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and Coenzyme Q10
  28. Low-fat yogurt– protein, calcium, and vitamin D
  29. Omelet– healthy protein, vitamin B12, tyrosine, iron, and yolks contain choline for mental energy
  30. Iron-fortified cereals– iron, healthy fiber, B-vitamins, and magnesium
  31. Brown rice– healthy filling fiber, manganese , magnesium, B vitamins
  32. Quinoa– soluble fiber, complete protein, vitamin B, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc and calcium
  33. Oatmeal– B vitamins, soluble fiber, and boosts energy
  34. Dark chocolate– flavanols, iron and magnesium
  35. Pumpkin seeds– protein, tyrosine, iron, vitamin K, magnesium, calcium, and Coenzyme Q10
  36. Nuts– selenium, B- vitamins, copper, vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, tyrosine, magnesium,  manganese, iron, and Coenzyme Q10
  37. Lemon-mint water– vitamin C, prevents dehydration and fatigue
  38. Coconut water– electrolytes to prevent dehydration and fatigue
  39. Green smoothie– combined energy-boosting nutrients of yogurt, leafy green vegetables, apples, and bananas
  40. Tea– caffeine, L-theanine

How’s your B12?

Sometimes, daily fatigue, dizziness, and muscle pain is a result of low vitamin levels, particularly in energy-boosting vitamin B12. A blood test will tell you if you need to increase your vitamin B12 intake.

Vitamin B12 can be found in most protein foods, such as beef, chicken, fish, eggs, and dairy products. If you have vitamin B12 deficiency, then you may require extra B12 outside of the food pyramid.

An easy way to maintain healthy vitamin B12 levels is to use vitamin B12 supplements that replenish cobalamin in the blood supply quickly and efficiently.

Here are some good ones to try.

Your turn!

What foods do you think provide the most energy?

What nutritional supplements do you take for stamina, memory, and mental focus?

Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below.

10 Reasons why you’re Tired all the Time- the First will Surprise you

You try to get your 8 hours sleep, but you’re still tired all the time- from morning until evening. You’re not alone. Many people suffer from constant fatigue, even after getting plenty of shut-eye. There are several underlying conditions that can cause you to feel exhausted, reaching for that coffee cup before noon, including anemia from vitamin B12 deficiency.

10 Reasons why you’re Tired all the Time- the First will Surprise you

This is why you’re tired all the time:

It’s a common misconception that to beat tiredness, you just need to get more sleep. If you stay up late watching television or chatting on Facebook, then yes- you need to turn off all electric media and get to sleep.

But for many, chronic fatigue lingers throughout the day, every day, even despite following all the rules of good sleep hygiene. You wake up feeling hung over, sluggish. You never get that feeling of refreshed wakefulness that most people feel when they get up in the morning.

Here are some reasons for that.

Vitamin B12 deficiency

Sometimes referred to as pernicious anemia or vitamin B12 anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency can make you feel overwhelmingly tired, lethargic, and slow. This is due to reduced levels of red blood cells which are needed to deliver oxygen to your brain and other parts of the body.

Fatigue is one of many early signs of vitamin B12 deficiency; others include brain fog, memory problems, painful numbness and tingling, and dizziness.

The best thing you can do is to start taking vitamin B12 immediately. While the B12 blood tests are helpful for detecting severe pernicious anemia, they are often unhelpful in diagnosing medium to low ranges of vitamin B12 serum levels that still cause debilitating symptoms.

Cure Vitamin B12 Deficiency in 12 Steps

There is no danger of taking too much vitamin B12, as any unused amounts are excreted in the urine. A good rule of thumb is to take at least 1000mcg per week. Vitamin B12 helps to boost energy, so most people notice good results almost immediately.

Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM) are separate illnesses that are often grouped together because they share common symptoms, including daily crushing fatigue and chronic pain.

Because many people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue also suffer from gastrointestinal distress, vitamin B12 deficiency is often also a comorbid factor. If you are diagnosed with either CFS or FM, then it’s a good idea to increase vitamin B12 supplementation for increased energy and mental focus.

Sleep disturbances

Sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome can be making it difficult for you to get quality sleep, causing you to feel tired all the time.

Diabetes

Constant tiredness can be a sign of pre-diabetes, due to sugars in the blood not being digested properly and used for energy.

Also, if you take metformin for diabetes, then you are at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency, as metformin and other medications inhibit your ability to digest vitamin B12, leading to vitamin B12 malabsorption and eventual deficiency.

Thyroid condition

A sluggish thyroid and, surprisingly, an overactive thyroid can cause severe fatigue.

Prescription medications

Constant fatigue is a common symptom of long-term use of painkillers and antidepressants. This can be a side effect of the drug, a sign of misuse, or it can result from vitamin B12 malabsorption.

Depression

Overwhelming sadness such as that occurs in chronic depression can make you feel tired and disoriented.

Stress

Over time, built-up nervous tension without relief can make you feel wiped out before the day is done.

Obesity

Morbid obesity carries many health concerns, including chronic fatigue.

Inactivity

Do you work in an office or other occupation where you are sitting most of the day? Sedentariness is risk factor for obesity, heart disease, and fatigue. Doctors recommend taking breaks throughout the work day, even just to stretch your legs. Also, to boost energy, commit yourself to some form of light exercise 20-30 minutes per day.

What else can you think of?

Do you suffer from a condition that makes you feel tired all the time?

Do you know of any other ways to beat constant tiredness and boost energy?

How has your life improved since you started taking regular vitamin B12 supplements?

Image by David Castillo Dominici

Vitamin B12- Because you just need Energy

Experiencing an energy crisis? You may just need more vitamin B12. Fatigue, muscle weakness, and mental brain fog are all symptoms of a hidden vitamin B12 deficiency, which can be easily treated with regular supplementation of vitamin B12 (cobalamin).

Untreated, vitamin B12 deficiency can worsen, resulting in severe pernicious anemia, causing irreversible nerve damage. To catch it early, it’s important to recognize the symptoms, such as loss of energy, difficulty thinking straight, and arms or legs always “falling asleep.”

Vitamin B12 deficiency is epidemic

It’s normal to get the blah’s every now and then, but if it seems like your life has been one endless cycle of tiredness, depression, and allover yucky feelings, then you may be a candidate for vitamin B12 deficiency. In fact, vitamin B12 anemia often slips past the radar, as people often assume that if they eat healthy, then they are immune to vitamin deficiency.

Not so- read more to learn why.

Signs of Vitamin B12 deficiency

Your body needs vitamin B12 for energy, good metabolism, cognitive health, nerve cell protection, and red blood cell production.

When your vitamin B12 levels dip to an unhealthy low, you may experience some of the following telltale symptoms- many of which can be misdiagnosed as chronic depression, adrenaline disorders, or multiple sclerosis (MS).

Signs of vitamin B12 deficiency include:

  • Constant overbearing tiredness, despite sleeping well
  • Loss of mental clarity (brain fog)
  • Confusion
  • Memory problems
  • Dizziness
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Paranoia
  • Unusual aggression
  • Painful tingling and numbness in the hands and feet
  • Weakness in the muscles
  • Muscle spasms and pain
  • Difficulty controlling arm and leg movements
  • Constantly dropping things
  • Frequent falling

How did this happen?

First, it’s important to understand that even if you eat lots of foods containing vitamin B12, such as beef, chicken, fish, eggs, and dairy products, you still run the risk of becoming deficient in this essential nutrient.

The absolute richest sources of vitamin B12 are organ meats and shellfish.  Eat any fried liver or stewed clams lately? I didn’t think so.

Secondly, there are a host of medical conditions that can interfere with  vitamin B12 absorption– your ability to digest vitamin B12 properly from the protein foods that you do eat, and many of these medical scenarios are becoming more commonplace.

They include:

  • Bariatric surgery
  • Medications for diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, and depression
  • Autoimmune illnesses, such as Crohn’s disease, celiac, lupus, and chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Gastritis from GERD, fibromyalgia, migraine, or colitis
  • Old age

Finally, if you follow a strict vegan diet, then you will not replenish vitamin B12 stores without constant supplementation. There are no rich dietary sources of vitamin B12 that are plant-based. Zilch.

How can I boost Vitamin B12?

If you’re low in vitamin B12 despite eating healthy, then you will need to add it to your blood supply in a non-dietary form. There are many products on the market that boost energy and contain high doses of vitamin B12 without the need for painful B12 injections.

Get more B12!

Vitamin B12 Patch Box

The Vitamin B12 Patch is a topical B12 patch that was developed by leading scientists… Read more

 

Maxasorb Vitamin B12 Cream

Maxasorb™ B-12 Serum by Vita Sciences is a highly absorbable Vitamin B-12 Cream containing a superior form of B12 (methylcobalamin) for maximum effectiveness.  Read more

 

Nervex Neuropathy Support Cream

Nervex™ Neuropathy Pain Relieving Cream by Vita Sciences is a highly effective, clinically tested , deep penetrating cream. Read more