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People tend to improve their eating habits as they age. They start preferring a balanced diet with rich nutrition to avoid vitamin supplements, especially if they consume meals from different food groups, including the protein from meat. Many believe supplements are only nutritional insurance that is just an added burden on their kidneys and other organs. But sometimes taking vitamins and supplements is necessary to keep your vitamin levels high, especially as you age.
Energy levels don’t drop overnight and symptoms may take many years to materialize. If you feel chronically fatigued, have impaired vision, or suffer from stomach problems, your body may be suffering from a deficiency in essential vitamins. Research shows that B12 is one of the most important vitamins and its benefits go beyond giving an energy boost to your muscles. We reviewed the most premium vitamins for energy in 2024 that are easy to digest and can help you revive your lost energy levels. Let’s take a look!
Comparing the Finest Vitamins for Energy in 2024
Nutricost — Best Overall
The Nutricost Vitamin B Complex is a must-have for vegans because it is 100% plant-based. It contains B complex vitamins, including B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, and B12. It also contains 40 milligrams of vitamin C per capsule, which fulfills 45% of the daily requirement. If you’ve been diagnosed with a chronic deficiency of B vitamins, this pick is a great way to quickly replenish those invigorating nutrients. This supplement is specifically designed for people with acute deficiency of these vitamins as a single capsule fulfills more than 100% of your daily requirement.
This pick tops our list as the best overall vitamin supplement for energy because it contains a plant-based, easily digestible complete range of B and C vitamins to boost your energy levels and support a healthy immune system.
Pros
- Ideal for treating vitamin B deficiencies
- Reduces muscle fatigue
- Improves alertness and focus
- Reduces joint inflammation
Cons
- Vitamin B dose may be too strong
OLLY — Best Flavor
These daily energy gummies by OLLY are great-tasting vitamins for a sure energy boost thanks to their pleasant goji berry flavor. Vitamin pills and capsules are notoriously large and can be difficult to swallow for many people. Now you can fulfill your daily energy by chewing these vitamin gummies that contain B12. This pick has B12 from cyanocobalamin, a manufactured form of vitamin B12. This vitamin improves your energy level at the cellular level. Plus, goji berries are a super food that ensures a steady flow of energy in the body. This complex vitamin also has CoQ10, an important component for keeping energy intact in mitochondria, the energy factory of our bodies.
Pros
- Improves energy at the cellular level
- Reduces the feeling of fatigue
- Offers long-lasting, day-long energy
- Gluten-free product
Cons
- Not suitable for curing vitamin B deficiency
Nature's Bounty — Budget Pick
Nature's Bounty Vitamin B12 is a highly effective and trusted vitamin supplement available at a budget-friendly price. This vitamin helps convert your food energy into cellular energy and helps boost the overall energy levels in your body. Plus, most people can easily swallow the medium-sized coated tablets in this pack. Highly effective, this supplement is backed by good manufacturing practices (GMP) certification by the FDA plus extensive scientific research.
This vitamin B12 supplement aids in the improvement of the overall immune system and it supports nervous system health as well.
Pros
- Improves nervous system health
- Good for cardiovascular health
- Prevents nerve damage and improves circulatory health
- Increases energy at a cellular level
Cons
- Tablets may be hard to swallow
Vitafusion — Best for Chronic Deficiency
The Vitafusion Vitamin B12 is an extra strength vitamin supplement that contains 3000 micrograms of vitamin B12, which is three times higher than the traditional high-potency alternatives. These gluten-free, cherry-flavored gummy vitamins are a delicious and convenient way to treat chronic vitamin B12 deficiency. No other vitamin, mineral, or nutrient is added to these gummies. All the other ingredients included in this vitamin add a natural flavor to help with daily consumption.
This supplement is effective at boosting energy levels because it contains vitamin B12 in the form of cyanocobalamin. Made in the USA, this option is a high-quality product, free from harmful chemicals and additives. Plus, it’s packed to retain freshness for a long time.
Pros
- Long-lasting, always fresh gummy
- Improves energy levels and memory functions
- Increases alertness and productivity
Cons
- Not as effective as oral solid dosage
Superior Source — Easy To Take
Superior Source’s story is about eliminating large, hard-to-swallow vitamin tablets from the world. Their tiny, sublingual, water-soluble tablets quickly dissolve and conveniently enter the digestive tract. Available in 1000 micrograms to 10,000 micrograms, these GMO-free tablets are a great way to rid yourself of uncomfortable vitamin shots or having to swallow large tablets.
This option contains vitamin B12 in the form of methylcobalamin, which is easier for the body to absorb and retain than other forms. This form of B12 enters the bloodstream to improve energy at cellular levels, boost metabolism, and support the nervous system. As it contains B12 in active form, this vitamin is a powerhouse, powering the body’s capability to produce energy.
Pros
- Supports nerve and brain health
- Maintains overall energy of the body
- Easy-to-take sublingual tablet
Cons
- Will melt if exposed to heat
Buying Guide: Vitamins for Energy
According to research, B vitamins are energy-producing essentials as they help convert carbohydrates into glucose, the life force of all living things. B vitamins, also known as the vitamin B complex, help the body consume proteins and fats from food. When available in high quantities in our body, our cell regenerative function runs properly, we get beautiful nails, skin, and hair, and our vision stays intact. Another important function performed by B vitamins is the proper functioning of our central nervous system. Plus, vitamin B12 protects your brain as it ages. In the following buying guide we’ll go over the other important effects of taking B vitamins and how you can consider adding this important vitamin to your daily supplement routine.
What Are the Effects of Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
Research shows that deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause cognitive impairment, especially for older adults who do not eat properly and who live alone. About 30% of people older than 50 years do not produce enough stomach acid that is required to release Vitamin B12 from their diet, even if they regularly consume meat. Most people who develop vitamin B deficiency are unaware of their condition because of its vague symptoms. Studies conducted by Framingham Offspring show that people aged 25 through 49 may also suffer from this condition.
The recommended amount of vitamin B12 for people older than 50 is 2.4 micrograms. People who do not consume meat regularly should fulfill this requirement by consuming fortified food or supplements. Since these B12 supplements are not sourced from protein, they do not require stomach acid to digest them. Synthetic B12 is a great option for those whose stomach acid levels are inadequate to extract B12 from food or who do not regularly consume meat.
People who are vegetarians are specifically at a higher risk of deficiency of vitamin B12 because they consume little or no meat. Those with stomach acid disorders, Crohn's disease, or celiac disease also suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency. Others who use medicines for acid reflux, proton-pump inhibitors, stomach ulcers, and cancer are also at greater risk of vitamin B12 deficiency.
How do you know if you have a vitamin B deficiency?
Our bodies contain vast reserves of vitamin B that can last as long as five years. In other words, it takes several years to deplete these stored amounts. Once deficient, you may notice unexplainable changes in energy levels, increased fatigue, numbness or tingling in the feet or hands, muscle weakness, or reduced muscle reflexes. People usually shrug these symptoms off by calling them the effects of aging. The psychological effects of B12 deficiency include depression, confusion, and memory loss. As the deficiency gets worse, early onset of dementia can also occur.
Early symptoms of any such condition are usually treated by administering B12 through injection in high doses. If there is any nerve damage or dementia, it’s irreversible damage. Periodic blood testing is specifically important for people to monitor their B12 levels in the blood, especially if they’re at a higher risk.
Keep in mind that vitamin B12 deficiency does not occur at once and takes time to develop.
What Are the Benefits of Vitamin B12?
The dietary sources of vitamin B12 include poultry, meat, eggs, fish, and milk. You must supplement your diet with B12 vitamins if you cannot consume these foods in sufficient quantities. When vitamin B12 levels are high, your body shows improvements in the following ways:
- Better skin, hair, and nails
- Reduced muscle fatigue
- Reduced stomach problems
- Improved memory
- Healthy nerve cells
- Improved level of red blood cells
- Reduced birth defects
Forms and Functions of Vitamins for Energy
The scientific name of vitamin B12 is cobalamin. Most supplements contain B12 in the form of cyanocobalamin, a man-made form of vitamin B. B12 in cyanocobalamin is not very efficient, but this is countered by taking a higher dosage. When you take it, the liver first separates the cyanide molecule. It then attaches it with a methyl group to form methylcobalamin, a biologically active form ready to be absorbed in the blood. The efficacy of methylcobalamin is far greater than cyanocobalamin. This is why vitamin B12 supplements that contain B12 in the form of cyanocobalamin contain a very high amount — hundreds of times of daily percentage value — per tablet.
We recommend avoiding cyanocobalamin B12 supplements and buying the supplements that contain methylcobalamin instead. Hydroxocobalamin is only available in injectable form and is only used in case of severe deficiency. If your body has other vitamin B deficiencies, it's better to consume a B vitamin complex that contains B6 or B9 along with B12.
Easy To Take
Most vitamin pills are large enough to trigger a gag reflex. Their size is one of the main reasons why vitamin deficient people avoid taking tablets. In extreme cases, shots are the only way to fulfill chronic deficiency. Thankfully, manufacturers are continuously improving the oral form of vitamins so you can regularly take them from the comfort of your home. If the sight of a large vitamin large tablet makes you gag, here are a few alternate ways of taking vitamins orally:
Sublingual vitamins
Vitamin B is available in water-soluble, small-sized tablets. You can put them under your tongue and let them dissolve or you can swallow them with a glass of water.
Chewable gummies
If you have trouble swallowing large-sized pills, look for brands offering gummies that you can chew. Always select the flavor you like because chewing a vitamin gummy can take up to two minutes. When choosing vitamins for kids, remember to keep them out of their reach because kids can mistake them for candies and easily overdose.
Dosage
Because Vitamin B12 has low toxicity levels there’s no upper intake limit. Still, there are several cases in which vitamin B toxicity causes liver damage and stomach ulcers. Most vitamin B12 supplements contain a high percent daily value to fulfill the gap caused by chronic deficiency. Pay specific attention to the recommended dosage and do not exceed it. B vitamins are water-soluble, so our bodies do not store the excess amounts and flush them out through urine. Always take vitamins for energy after consulting with your doctor.
