Fatigue is a condition that makes a person feel constantly exhausted and sapped of energy. Many times, in order to relieve fatigue, it is necessary to treat the underlying condition that is causing the fatigue, such as stress or a sleep disorder. However, some people also use vitamins and herbal supplements to treat fatigue.
St. John's Wort
Stress is a common cause of fatigue, as it uses up a lot of energy and can also disturb sleep. Some people believe that St. John's wort can help relieve stress. If this is true, then St. John's wort would help relieve stress-induced fatigue. More research needs to be done in order to identify how and if St. John's wort relieves stress.
Valerian
Historically, valerian was used as a perfume and it also may be able to function as a sedative. If you are fatigued because you are unable to sleep, valerian may be able to help you. However, it may be more helpful to figure out what is causing your insomnia and treat that. Also remember that herbal supplements like valerian and St. John's wort have side effects and can interact with other medications, so it is important to consult a doctor before taking them.
Vitamin B12
Sometimes, fatigue can be caused by B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is an important component in blood and helps your nervous system function properly. A B12 deficiency can have serious consequences, so it is important to see a doctor if you think you have one and make sure you are incorporating foods with B12 into your diet. The best food sources of this vitamin are beef liver and clams, but it is also found in eggs, milk, cheese, dairy products, meat, fish, other seafood, and poultry.
Magnesium
Many studies have shown magnesium to improve energy levels. The reason for this is that people with magnesium deficiency are more likely to use more energy during exercise and thus need more oxygen. This can lead to a faster burn-out cycle, so more rest and recovery time is needed after physical exertion. Unfortunately, this does not only apply to high-intensity exercises, but also low-level activity, so even less active people can be affected by a lack of magnesium in the body. Eating dark green, leafy vegetables is the best way to incorporate magnesium into your diet.
There is no one solution that will suit everybody with fatigue. The list above is not exhaustive, but discusses some of the most common vitamins and supplements that are used for fatigue. In order to get a personalized treatment plan, it is always best to talk to your doctor.
Sources
- Cox, I.M. , Campbell, M.J. and Dowson, D. (1991). Red blood cell magnesium and chronic fatigue syndrome. Lancet, 337(8744), 757-760. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1672392
- Naeem, Z. (2010). Vitamin D Deficiency - An Ignored Epidemic. International Journal of Health Sciences, 4(1), V-VI. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3068797/
- National Health Service UK. (2013). Chronic fatigue syndrome - Treatment. Retrieved September 9, 2014, from http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Chronic-fatigue-syndrome/Pages/Treatment.aspx
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2010). What Is Iron-Deficiency Anemia? Retrieved September 9, 2014, from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/ida/printall-index.html
- National Institutes of Health. (2014). Herbal remedies and supplements for weight loss. Retrieved September 9, 2014, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000347.htm
- Office of Dietary Supplements. (2011). Vitamin B12. Retrieved September 9, 2014, from http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-Consumer/
- U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2014). Lack Energy? Maybe It's Your Magnesium Level. Retrieved September 9, 2014, from http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/may04/energy0504.htm?pf=1