When you’re on a committed weight loss mission, it might be easy to get caught up on things like obsessively counting calories for everything you eat and calculating exactly how many steps you’ve done each day.
There is, however, an entire world of micronutrients, vitamins and minerals which can make all the difference. Here’s a look at a few of them:
Fibre
Fibre may not technically be a vitamin, but it is a vital asset and tool in every fat loss plan you could imagine. One of fibre’s primary roles in weight loss is that it fills you up, creating feelings of satiety which reduce hunger cravings and lead to fewer overall calories being consumed. A Tufts University study suggested that eating as little as 14 grams more fibre each day could result in the subject consuming as many as 10% fewer calories.1 Fibre is also known to improve the conditions in the gut for healthy bacteria, which in turn improves overall digestion and absorption of nutrients.2
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is one of the most essential nutrients for overall health and wellbeing, and also happens to be one which a huge number of people are deficient in. This is because vitamin D is primarily created by our bodies in response to sunlight. As few of us get enough sun these days, more of us are suffering at some level from the effects of vitamin D deficiency. These effects may include weight gain. One 2014 study found that while vitamin D supplementation in and of itself didn’t seem to promote weight loss, women who supplemented to the point where their body’s vitamin D levels were within the optimum range did benefit from improved weight loss.3
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is known to stave off a cold- but its health benefits go far further than that. It can in fact keep asthma in check and help to treat cataracts. At first glance, vitamin C may not appear to be a winning ingredient in a fat loss plan. A 2007 study found an inverse correlation between plasma levels of vitamin C and waist circumference, but didn’t seem to show evidence that vitamin C supplementation directly encouraged weight loss.4 More encouragingly, a 2005 study found that increased vitamin C intake allowed subjects to oxidise 30% more fat during exercise.5
To help achieve your weight loss goals, stock up on these essential vitamins or eat more foods that contain them.
Shop Vitamins & Supplements
Sources
- //onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1753-4887.2001.tb07001.x/abstract
- //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3705355/
- //ajcn.nutrition.org/content/early/2014/03/12/ajcn.113.073734.abstract
- //jn.nutrition.org/content/137/7/1757.full
- //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15930480
What Are Vitamins | Nutrient-Dense Foods | Fat-Soluble Vs. Water-Soluble Vitamins | Best Vitamin D Supplements | Best Magnesium Supplements | Best Iron Supplements | Best Vitamins for Energy | Best Beet Supplements | Best Vitamin B12 Supplements | Best Calcium Supplements
Energy is a precious commodity in the bustling lives of athletes and active individuals. Our bodies derive their energy from the food and nutrients we consume on a daily basis, so a well-balanced diet is key. The vitamins that contribute most to maintaining our energy levels include the B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin A. These particular vitamins are often lacking in people's diets, so supplementing with the best vitamins for energy may help prevent fatigue and tiredness.
While these vitamins can be supplemented individually, many multivitamins do a good job of including the proper amounts of each of them. Even so, there may be some cases in which you'd want to supplement with certain vitamins separately. However, some individual vitamins may provide doses that are too high and may be unsafe for some populations.
With the endless vitamin products on the market, it can be a daunting task to comb through them to find the best one for your goals. To help streamline your search, the ACTIVE Reviews Team has curated a list of the best vitamins for energy in 2022.
Why Trust Us?
The health and safety of ACTIVE's readers is of the utmost importance to us. To ensure your well-being when consuming dietary supplements, the ACTIVE.com editorial team prioritizes products that are independently tested by a third party. We've also consulted with a team of nutritionists and dieticians to ensure the products we feature are of the highest standard. This helps us create the most accurate, authentic review content for our readers.
The Best Vitamins for Energy - Our Top Picks
By clicking on the product links in this article, we may receive a commission fee at no cost to you, the reader. Sponsorships and affiliate commissions help support our research so we can help you find the best products. Read our full affiliate disclosure here.
- Best for Overall Men: Ritual Essential for Men Multivitamin
- Best for Overall Women: Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin
- Best Vitamin for Energy: eVitamins Vitamin B12
- Best Multivitamin: MegaFood One Daily Multivitamin
- Best Multivitamin for Kids: Ritual Essential for Kids Multivitamin
- Best Pure: eVitamins Ashwagandha
- Best for Athletes: Kirkland Super B-Complex
Best Overall for Men - Ritual Essential for Men Multivitamin
SPECS
- Price: $$
- Flavor rating: N/A
- Dosage recommendations: Take 2 capsules daily
- Serving size: 2 capsules
- Servings per container: 30
- Active ingredient: Multivitamin formula
- Sweetener: N/A
While multivitamins are often unisex considering that men and women require most of the same nutrients, some brands cater their formulas to men or women to provide more individualized supplementation. When it comes to maintaining energy levels and combating fatigue, men may require more of certain nutrients including vitamin D, vitamin K, magnesium, boron, and zinc.
We've selected Ritual's Essential for Men Multivitamin to represent the best for men category due to its unique formulation of vitamins and minerals that are important for men's health and promote good energy levels. Their formula includes vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D, and vitamin B12, all of which play a role in energy metabolism. In addition, this supplement provides zinc, magnesium, and boron, three minerals that are essential for testosterone production. Lastly, each dose supplies 330 milligrams of omega-3s which promote heart health and reduce inflammation in the body.
What We Like
- Contains a curated blend of vitamins and minerals for men's health
- Supplies 330mg of plant-based omega-3s
- Vegan-friendly
- Transparent labeling
- Third-party tested
What We Don't Like
- Excludes certain vitamins and minerals typically found in multivitamins
- More expensive than some comparable options
BUY: Ritual Essential for Men Multivitamin
Best for Overall Women - Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin
SPECS
- Price: $$
- Flavor rating: N/A
- Dosage recommendations: Take 2 capsules daily
- Serving size: 2 capsules
- Servings per container: 30
- Active ingredient: Multivitamin formula
- Sweetener: N/A
While a standard multivitamin will often be sufficient to meet the needs of most women, there are certain instances in which women may require additional specific nutrients. Particularly during menstruating years, it's recommended that women consume additional iron to replenish the iron lost in menstrual blood each month, and folate to support fetal brain development. Particularly in athletes, iron plays an important role in red blood cell formation and oxygen circulation throughout the body during exercise, which can impact energy levels.
Ritual's Essential for Women Multivitamin includes a formulation of the most important nutrients for supporting women's health and energy levels, which include vitamin D, vitamin E, folate, iron, B12, magnesium, boron, and vitamin K. Additionally, each dose supplies 330mg of plant-based omega-3s to support heart and joint health. This simple multivitamin includes just the most impactful ingredients for maintaining energy and does away with others that may not be necessary.
What We Like
- Supplies important nutrients for women's health and preventing fatigue
- Supplies 330mg of plant-based omega-3s
- Transparent labeling
- Third-party tested
- Vegan-friendly
What We Don't Like
- On the expensive side when compared to comparable products
- Missing several vitamins and minerals commonly found in multivitamins
BUY: Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin
Best Vitamin for Energy - eVitamins Vitamin B12
SPECS
- Price: $
- Flavor rating: 1
- Dosage recommendations: Chew 1 lozenge until dissolved and swallow
- Serving size: 1 lozenge
- Servings per container: 60
- Active ingredients: B12 and folic acid
- Sweetener: Fructose and sorbitol
B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in the breakdown of the foods we eat into glucose, our body's preferred source of energy. In addition, it aids in the formation of red blood cells which are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body, making it especially important for endurance athletes.
The eVitamins Vitamin B12 supplement contains 5,000 mcg of B12, which is plenty to boost nutrient metabolism and energy levels. In addition, this product supplies 400 mcg of folic acid, an important cofactor in protein metabolism and DNA synthesis. To make taking it a bit easier, this supplement comes in a flavored lozenge form, which also aids in faster absorption. These factors combined make eVitamins B12 our top pick for the best overall vitamin for energy.
What We Like
- Supplies 5,000 mcg of B12 and 400 mcg of folic acid per serving
- Lozenge form for quick absorption
- Vegan-friendly
- Produced in a GMPc facility
What We Don't Like
- Contains added sugars
- Not third-party tested
BUY: eVitamins Vitamin B12
Best Multivitamin - MegaFood One Daily Multivitamin
SPECS
- Price: $
- Flavor rating: N/A
- Dosage recommendations: Can be taken anytime during the day with or without food
- Serving size: 1 tablet
- Servings per container: Varies depending on size purchased
- Active ingredient: Multivitamin formula
- Sweetener: N/A
Micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) play a key role in our daily energy levels. The most impactful ones include the B vitamins (including B12), vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E. While it's certainly possible to meet your vitamin and mineral needs from diet alone, many people choose to take a multivitamin that can help supplement their daily needs and support energy levels.
MegaFood's One Daily Multivitamin supplies balanced doses of all the major vitamins and minerals responsible for maintaining energy levels, making it our top pick for the best multivitamin. As an added bonus, it also includes whole-food nutrient sources to enhance the vitamin and mineral profile. This comprehensive multi is a solid choice for people looking to fill the gaps in their diet to maximize energy levels.
What We Like
- Provides comprehensive formula of energy-promoting vitamins
- Includes whole-food sources to boost nutrient content
- Available in multiple sizes
- Vegetarian-friendly
What We Don't Like
- Not third-party tested
- Not suitable for vegans
BUY: MegaFood One Daily Multivitamin
Best Multivitamin for Kids - Ritual Essential for Kids Multivitamin
SPECS
- Price: $$
- Flavor rating: 1
- Dosage recommendations: Take 1 serving daily
- Serving size: 3 gummies
- Servings per container: 30
- Active ingredient: Multivitamin formula
- Sweetener: Monk fruit extract
While we usually associate low energy levels with adults who lead busy lives, kids need the proper vitamins and nutrients to support energy levels and growth, as well. Supplementation may be especially important if you have a kid who is a picky eater and you are concerned they may not be getting enough micronutrients. In this case, a daily multivitamin is a good idea for most children.
Ritual Essential for Kids Multivitamin includes a blend of important vitamins and minerals that kids need to support growth and maintain energy levels. In addition to the micronutrients, this gummy product also supplies 50mg of vegan omega-3s, which are important for brain development. It's important to note that this multi is made for kids over the age of four, so you'll have to consider other options for younger children.
What We Like
- Includes essential vitamins and minerals for children
- Vegan-friendly
- Traceable ingredients
- Sugar-free and no artificial sweeteners
What We Don't Like
- Excludes certain vitamins and minerals generally found in children's multivitamins
- More expensive than some similar products on the market
BUY: Ritual Essential for Kids Multivitamin
Best Pure - eVitamins Ashwagandha
SPECS
- Price: $
- Flavor rating: N/A
- Dosage recommendations: Take 1 capsule 2-3 times daily
- Serving size: 1 capsule
- Servings per container: 30-45 depending on daily dose
- Active ingredient: Ashwagandha root extract
- Sweetener: N/A
Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic medicinal herb that has been used for thousands of years for improving energy levels, decreasing stress, and improving concentration. Its root extract is widely available in supplement form with the most common dose being 600mg per day broken into two doses, one in the morning and one in the evening. Research shows that using it regularly may boost energy levels and reduce anxiety.
The eVitamins Ashwagandha capsule is a standardized root extract that provides 450mg per single-capsule serving. With a simple ingredient panel containing only the active ingredient, you can be sure this product is free of fillers or unnecessary additives. By taking the suggested 2-3 servings per day, you can easily reach the recommended 60 mg dose for boosting energy.
What We Like
- Provides standardized ashwagandha root extract to support energy levels
- Vegan-friendly
- Produced in a GMPc facility
- Affordable price point
What We Don't Like
- Not third-party tested
- Requires 2-3 servings per day
BUY: eVitamins Ashwagandha
Best for Athletes - Kirkland Super B-Complex
SPECS
- Price: $
- Flavor rating: N/A
- Dosage recommendations: Take 1 tablet daily with 8 oz. of water
- Serving size: 1 tablet
- Servings per container: 500
- Active ingredient: B-vitamin blend
- Sweetener: N/A
In general, athletes, whether professional or recreational, require more nutrients than their non-active counterparts. The same goes for B vitamins, which are especially important due to their integral role in energy production in the body. In fact, many sports drinks even include them. While B vitamins are abundant in many of the foods we eat, athletes often supplement with them to keep energy levels topped off and maintain peak performance.
Kirkland's Super B-Complex contains a research-based blend of B vitamins to support energy production for high-level athletes. In addition, each dose supplies 90mg of sodium and 30mg of potassium, two important electrolytes, to maintain hydration. Last but not least, 200mg of vitamin C rounds out the ingredient list to serve as an antioxidant and promote exercise recovery.
What We Like
- Supplies high doses of B vitamins to support energy metabolism
- Includes electrolytes for hydration
- Third-party tested
- Very affordable
What We Don't Like
- Not vegan-friendly
- Tablet may be hard to swallow for some users
BUY: Kirkland Super B-Complex
What to Look for When Shopping for Vitamins for Energy
When shopping for the best vitamins for energy, there are several factors to take into consideration to ensure you select the best one for your goals. Here are the main elements you'll want to take a look at.
Vitamins to Boost Energy
- B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12): Supports healthy energy metabolism
- Vitamin A: Aids in energy metabolism at the cellular level
- Vitamin D: Promotes mitochondrial (energy-producing cells) function
- Vitamin E: Serves as an antioxidant fighting free radicals in the body, which can help combat inflammation and fatigue
- Vitamin C: Serves as a cofactor during energy production at the cellular level
Dosing
Different supplement brands vary greatly in the doses that they provide. When shopping for the best vitamins for energy, closely read the label to determine if your desired ingredients are provided in the proper dosages. Too low of a dose may not have an effect, whereas too high of a dose can have negative side effects.
Form
The majority of vitamins are provided in capsule or tablet form. That being said, some brands offer alternative formats such as gummies or powders. Consider which form you will be most likely to take on a regular basis and make an educated selection based on your choice.
Third-Party Testing
Third-party testing is when a supplement company sends their products to an outside lab to get tested for purity and quality. This process ensures the supplement is free of contaminants or banned substances. It's always best to select a third-party tested supplement when available.
Avoid Proprietary Blends
Proprietary blends are blends of ingredients found in supplements that don't disclose the amount of each individual ingredient. These make it difficult to determine how much of a given ingredient is provided. In general, it's best to avoid proprietary blends and stick to brands that use transparent labeling in order to make an informed decision.
How We Rate Supplements:
Price/affordability (scale of $-$$$)
Prices depend on several factors and tend to fluctuate over time, so we've kept our affordability rating scale simple so you can easily see how products compare:
$ = under $1 per serving
$$ = $1-2 per serving
$$$ = over $2 per serving
Flavor options (scale of 1-3)
Regarding dietary supplements you take frequently or even daily, options are important. And while your protein powder or pre-workout doesn't have to taste good to be effective, having several flavors to choose from can make it easier to stick with your fitness and health goals.
N/A = Unflavored
1 = 1-2 flavor options
2 = 3-4 flavor options
3 = 5 or more flavor options
FAQs About Vitamins for Energy
What are the best vitamins for tiredness and fatigue?
In general, the vitamins that will be most impactful for preventing tiredness and fatigue include B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin A. While these are commonly found in the foods we eat, many people may not get enough of them from diet alone.
Who should take vitamins for energy?
While nearly everyone could benefit from taking a multivitamin containing all of the essential vitamins and minerals, there are some populations, in particular, that may especially benefit. These populations include athletes, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, vegans and vegetarians, older adults, and people with certain illnesses. For these people, in particular, supplementing with vitamins and minerals can help support energy levels.
What vitamins give you energy fast?
B vitamins are the powerhouses that aid in energy metabolism in the body. When we eat food, this group of vitamins helps break it down to release energy to be used on the cellular level. Hence why many high-level athletes choose to supplement with B vitamins.
Does vitamin B12 give you energy?
Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in the production of energy in our bodies from the foods we eat. When you're low on B12 you may be left feeling sluggish. Regularly supplementing with B12 when your levels are low can certainly help boost your energy.
What Are Vitamins | Nutrient-Dense Foods | Fat-Soluble Vs. Water-Soluble Vitamins | Best Vitamin D Supplements | Best Magnesium Supplements | Best Iron Supplements | Best Vitamins for Energy | Best Beet Supplements | Best Vitamin B12 Supplements | Best Calcium Supplements
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.