Out of energy? Boost your vitality

Several reasons may contribute to this lack of vitality. Seasonal changes, for instance, may cause this condition, and we may begin to notice the symptoms of the well-known asthenia. Lack of sleep, a poor diet with an excess of refined products, and a lack of vitamins and minerals may be the origin of exhaustion as well.

Sometimes our pace of life demands an extra boost of energy. Facing exam periods, developing an extraordinary work project, or preparing for a sports competition also require a good supply of “fuel”.

How do we get energy?

Every cell in our body needs energy to perform its functions, to contract, if they are part of a muscle, or to send an impulse from one neuron to another in case they are part of the nervous system.
The energy they need is obtained from the food we eat. The carbohydrates, lipids and proteins we eat are transformed into glucose, fatty acids and amino acids, which in turn become, through a series of chemical reactions inside the cells, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the energy-rich molecule.

Energy for everyone

Children
Children are usually healthy, as they are in a stage of rapid growth and development, and they love playing and practicing sports. This, along with intellectual activity, makes them consume a large amount of calories and nutrients that must be replenished through a well-balanced diet. In some cases, a natural supplement could be useful as a reinforcement and also include probiotics that contribute to strengthening the microbiota and the immune system. Supplementation in childhood may help facilitate proper growth, improve school performance, and increase the body’s defensive capacity.

Elderly people
Our bodies deteriorate through time, and as we reach this age, some changes that make the person unable to perform well become more noticeable. Moreover, despite a well-balanced diet, the requirements change too, and extra support is necessary to maintain an active lifestyle. Indeed, this supplementation is also beneficial for cognition and mood, which may decline at older ages.

Adults
The current society imposes on us a frenetic and competitive pace of life that may sometimes exhaust us both physically and mentally. Long working hours with quick meals, difficulty performing domestic, family and work tasks, exhausting physical work, and excessive consumption of stimulants (tobacco, coffee, alcohol, etc.). Supplementation could really help us and provide us with the extra energy we need.

Athletes
Regular sports practice, mainly if it is for competition, requires some supplements that not only increase muscular strength and resistance but also contribute to a better recovery. Some substances contribute to reducing fatigue and optimizing muscle performance. Certain amino acids may help athletes before, during and after training and competition.

Supplements for vitality

We can include food supplements in our diet to help our body when we need extra energy and vitality.

From the hive

• Royal Jelly: It is the food of the queen bee throughout her whole life and that of the young bees in their first days. It increases vital tone, stimulates appetite, improves the feeling of mental and physical fatigue, and reinforces the immune system.
• Propolis: It is a viscous substance produced by bees and used to protect hives. It is known as the natural antibiotic and improves the body’s defenses, among other properties.

Medicinal plants

• Ginseng (Panax ginseng): Ginsenosides are found inside its roots and are the main active components of the plant that increase the body’s resistance to fatigue and stress, improve physical and intellectual performance, and increase our concentration capacity.
• Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim): It is well-known for being a good adaptogen, which means that it improves physical and mental performance while reducing the harmful effects of stress.

Amino acids

• Carnitine: It is an amino acid that transports fatty acids to the mitochondria. In fact, it specifically helps long-chain fatty acids to cross the inner membrane so that, once inside, they can be oxidized and produce energy.
• Theanine: This amino acid helps improve concentration and learning, especially when we are stressed, and regulates our mood.
• Serine: It is one of the twenty essential amino acids and is involved in phosphatidylserine, thus helping improve memory.

Nutrients

• NADH: It is the biological form of vitamin B3 and is essential to produce energy inside the cells. It collects and transports hydrogen in the mitochondria, which is indispensable for the production of ATP molecules.
• Vitamins: Mainly group B vitamins take part in the processes that transform food into energy, so if our intake of vitamins is not enough, we will be more exhausted or lack energy.
• Minerals: Manganese, selenium, chromium, iron and zinc are essential minerals for optimal energy levels.