Have you ever felt excessively tired in the morning? Has that feeling persisted on and off throughout your life? Do you ever feel that your energy level is fleeting without any clear explanation? Do you feel at times, even with aid of exercise and proper rest that your body continues to feel fatigued?
One factor you may want to evaluate is that, your body may be deficient in certain vitamins, which help convert carbohydrates and fatty acids we ingest into raw energy. Commonly known, humans draw energy through a series of metabolic process involving the degradation of food. Each type of food contains a certain unit of energy. After metabolic processing, our cell absorb the nutrients which, it will then use for energy conversion. On an ongoing basis, our body is continually converting its resources into energy to carry out necessary biological processes. Most people need to understand that these metabolic process require vitamins and other nutrients to catalyze such reactions. Next, we will explore the relationship between applicable vitamins and energy.
Vitamins are crucial for our health and vitality. One of the critical functions of vitamins is energy production. It has been observed that some people feel more stamina and energy after consuming the required vitamins on a day to day basis. According to various scientists and physicians, B vitamins are these vitamins that are linked to improved energy levels. Unfortunately, since B-vitamins are not stored in the body they must be constantly replenished to maintain stable energy levels. Unlike, fat-soluble vitamins such as Vitamin A,E, D, K, these vitamins are excreted through the urine on a daily basis.
Energy Boosting B-Vitamins
B-Vitamins play a vital role in cellular energy production. Primarily, Vitamins B2 and B3 provide building blocks for critical components of the Krebs cycle. These components are nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD and NADH) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD and FADH) which are used to produce energy through the Krebs cycle.
NAD and NADH are universal molecules found through the body and are strongly involved in various biochemical reactions. Therefore, NAD and NADH are strongly influenced by the availability of B vitamins. For the continuity of energy utilization, B vitamins are a necessary and required link for energy production.
B vitamins are coenzymes, which bind to protein compound called an apoenzyme to form active enzymes. These enzymes are a key component to a reaction, known as a catalyst. This catalyst causes an energy shift from the substrate (food product) to product (expendable energy) that the body can utilize. The family of B vitamins can be explored in depth by reviewing the vitamin guide
You can learn about how each specific B-vitamin functions and is utilized by the body. Also, helpful hints on certain deficiencies clinical associated with particular B-vitamin deficiencies. Also, for those interested learning about how to obtain a particular vitamin, please review this resource. It will list where each vitamin can be found. The list of the 8 various vitamins are thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid, pyridoxine (B6), folate (folic acid), cyanocobalamin (B12), and biotin. Each of the B vitamins help facilitate various required metabolic processes. This vitamins function and benefit the body as various levels. They are primarily utilize for fat and carbohydrate degradation to provide the body with the necessary energy. As listed in the vitamin guide, they help maintain healthy skin, and hair, maintain stable nervous system, and supports muscle for the gastrointestinal tract. Since vitamins play such a universal role in our body, primarily on energy conversion it is important to altering your diet to include food rich in these vitamins to improve your energy level. A quality nutritional multivitamin taken on a daily basis will help satisfy your body requirements for the needed B-vitamin, as well as other vitamins such as C, D, E, K.
Energy Utility and Expense
ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) is the energy unit used by each cell. This energy is used for a number of widespread cellular functions such as motility, growth, reproduction, metabolic activity, atc. Through a series of biochemical pathways, ATP is generated from the raw sources and nutrient found in food. Vitamins help propagate these reactions resulting in the end product, ATP.
Thus, if individuals consume the products they should in theory be able to create more energy to be utilized. Specifically, our body derives energy from fatty acid and glucose. It has been observed that complex carbohydrates found in foods such as bread can supply the body with highest level of glucose. Bread, particular wheat, is also high in dietary fiber, which help regulate bowel movement and flushing the body of food and bacterial toxins through the GI tract. When carbohydrates are consumed, it is coverted from glucose to glycogen, through a biochemical process called Gluconeogenesis. Glycogen, which is stored in the liver and muscle, can be converted by the glucose for energy expenditure through another metabolic process called Glycolysis. When a body demands energy, stored glycogen is converted into glucose, which is can converted energy. Fatty acids, is the other source of energy used by humans. ATP can be generated at a higher rate when utilizing fatty acids compared glucose.
Summary
As illustrated in the previous information, we helped summarize how our body derives energy through raw food products. Yet, the process of conversion is not as simple in nature as described above. One critical component that is required throughout these metabolic process are vitamins, B-vitamins in particular. The best way to obtain these vitamins is through the combinational intake of fruits, vegetables, and nuts. If your diet lacks these items, it highly recommend that you take vitamin supplements.
If chronic fatigue persists, it is recommend that you consult with a health care professional. You should request a full blood workup as some people may be anemic, which has similar symptoms. Also, your doctor can even determine if you are having any absorption relation issues, where vitamins and other nutrients are not being observed by your body.
