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Vitamin deficiency can show up in a number of ways: loss of energy mid-day, general physical weakness, shortness of breath, pale skin, and a feeling of being stuck in a mental fog. None of these symptoms are pleasant, and the longer they persist, the more they tax your body. Most of these are associated with vitamin B deficiencybut solving that is not rocket science.
Vitamin B is essential for keeping you energized and ready to go. They are a essential part of your diet and are a key ingredient in energy supplements. CNET’s team of wellness experts has compiled a list of the best supplements on the market to better meet your vitamin needs. While price is a consideration, brand, ingredients, and consumer reviews are just as important, but taste and form factor can also make or break your experience. After all, the pills are useless if you don’t take them. Here are our top five picks for the best energy supplements.
And before we go any further, if you are deficient or missing other essential energy vitamins, you may choose to take supplements to replace the missing vitamins.
What are the best vitamins for energy?
In addition to coffee, tea or energy drinks, certain vitamins can help boost energy. The best supplements to boost your energy are B vitamins. These essential B vitamins include thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folate (B9), and cobalamin (B12). All eight B vitamins are responsible for helping the body process energy from food.
Other vitamins that increase energy include: vitamin Cwhat helps with energy production in the mitochondria of our cells. Magnesium helps with the production and use of energy moleculesor ATP, and iron is essential for the production of hemoglobin and the transport of oxygen.
If your diet is lacking these vitamins and you are experiencing fatigue, you may benefit from a supplement. Always consult a doctor before adding supplements to your diet.
Best Vitamins for Energy in 2024
With over 50 years of experience in the vitamin industry, Nature’s Bounty is a brand we consistently choose and trust. Our products are non-GMO and contain no artificial colors, flavors, sugar, starch, milk, lactose, soy, gluten, yeast or fish. One tablet of our Super B Complex supplements contains 60mg of Vitamin C, 25mg of Thiamine (Vitamin B1), 20mg of Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), 25mg of Niacin (Vitamin B3), 5mg of Vitamin B6, 400mcg of Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), 100mcg of Vitamin B12, 1,000mcg of Biotin (Vitamin B7) and 5.5mg of Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5).
These supplements contain high percentages of your daily value of vitamin B. Talk to your doctor before adding vitamins to your daily routine, as you may already be getting enough vitamin B through your diet.
One a Day refers to the serving suggestion. One tablet of the energy multivitamin contains 1,050 mcg vitamin A, 60 mg vitamin C, 10 mcg vitamin D, 10.1 mg vitamin E, 25 mcg vitamin K, 3 mg thiamine (vitamin B1), 3.4 mg riboflavin (vitamin B2), 40 mg niacin (vitamin B3), 4 mg vitamin B6, 400 mcg folic acid (vitamin B9), 12 mcg vitamin B12, 300 mcg biotin (vitamin B7), 10 mg pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), 250 mg calcium, 9 mg iron, 150 mcg iodine, 40 mg magnesium, 15 mg zinc, 45 mcg selenium, 2 mg copper, 2 mg manganese, 100 mcg chromium, 25 mcg molybdenum and 90 mg caffeine.
If you are sensitive to caffeine, keep in mind that one multivitamin tablet contains about as much caffeine as a cup of coffee.
Nature Made is another trusted vitamin brand. Their ingredients are gluten-free and free from artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. One soft gel of Nature Made’s Super B Complex supplements contains 1.5 mg thiamin (vitamin B1), 1.7 mg riboflavin (vitamin B2), 20 mg niacin (vitamin B3), 2 mg vitamin B6, 665 mcg folic acid (vitamin B9), 6 mcg vitamin B12, 300 mcg biotin (vitamin B7), and 10 mg pantothenic acid (vitamin B5). Other ingredients include soybean oil, gelatin, dibasic calcium phosphate, glycerin, yellow beeswax, canola lecithin, and added colors.
These supplements contain beeswax and are therefore not suitable for people following a vegan diet.
Two capsules of the Raw B-Complex supplements contain 5 mg thiamine (vitamin B1), 10 mg riboflavin (vitamin B2), 45 mg niacin (vitamin B3), 10 mg vitamin B6, 450 mcg folate (vitamin B9), 133 mcg vitamin B12, 325 mcg biotin (vitamin B7) and 45 mg pantothenic acid (vitamin B5). What makes Garden of Life supplements unique is that they often contain raw blends of organic materials. The B-Complex supplements contain two of these: a 360 mg raw organic fruit and vegetable blend and a 60 mg raw probiotic and enzyme blend.
Please note that the two strains of probiotics in the enzyme blend are Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Lactobacillus plantarum. Those two specific strains are not the most well-known or used for gut health. If you want to help your gut, consider a supplement that is strictly a probiotic.
The cherry flavored Vitafusion Extra Strength B12 vitamins are the most basic on this list. The supplements only contain B12. In addition to being gluten-free, dairy-free, and free of artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, or synthetic colors, the vitamins won a ChefsBest Excellence Award 2022 for taste. Two gummy vitamins contain 3,000 mcg of vitamin B12, as well as tapioca syrup, sugar, water, gelatin, and two percent or less of a blend of oils (coconut and palm) with beeswax, citric acid, lactic acid, natural flavor, pectin, and sodium citrate.
If you have a nut allergy, please be aware that these vitamins contain nuts (coconut). Furthermore, they are processed in a facility that also processes products containing egg, fish, shellfish, soy and nuts.
When looking for vitamins for energy, keep these factors in mind.
Daily Vitamin Recommendations
Vitamins for energy work best if you are not currently getting your daily recommended amount of B vitamins. Filling this nutritional gap can make a big difference in your daily energy levels. Pay attention to how much vitamin B is in your supplements. If you are already getting enough through your diet, you don’t need a huge amount.
Always check with your doctor if you have any concerns before starting a vitamin supplement.
Dietary restrictions
Vitamins will indicate whether they are vegan, dairy-free, or gluten-free. If you have any of these dietary preferences or restrictions, look for vitamins that are made without gluten, dairy, or animal products.
Verifications
Although dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA, there are a number of verifications you can perform to ensure that the product you purchase is safe to use.
These verifications include:
The vitamin supplements for this list were selected based on price, accessibility, quality, and amounts of vitamins and minerals. We also took into account third-party verification, dosage, and customer reviews. The vitamins on this list are the best of the best available today.
Which vitamin provides the most energy?
Is it better to take vitamin B12 or vitamin B complex?
