Energy boosting
My sister is almost eight years older than me. We both have busy lives but she seems to have so much more energy than I do. I wake up at 6.30am and am usually asleep in the chair by 8.30pm but at the end of her demanding day, my sister’s more likely to put on her cowboy boots and go out line dancing or to spend two hours doing yoga. Is there anything I can take to get more energy?
The biggest payback when you start to look after your health is the increase in your energy levels. A deficiency in any nutrient can cause fatigue and make the body more susceptible to infection and low blood sugar levels have now been linked with low energy and chronic fatigue.
Oily fish, nuts, sesame seeds, pulses and spinach should feature regularly in your diet because they are all natural sources of a potent antioxidant called Coenzyme-Q10 (Co-Q10), a vitamin-like substance that acts in the body in a similar way to vitamin E. It plays a crucial role in the production of energy in every single cell in the body and is often taken by athletes to increase stamina and endurance. As well as boosting circulation and increasing the amount of oxygen being delivered to the tissues, it has been shown to help strengthen muscles and, according to some research, may even have anti-ageing properties. CoQ10 is easily destroyed by cooking, so you may prefer to take a supplement.
Vitamin C is used for tissue growth and repair and also enhances the absorption of iron, which in turn, is used for energy production. High doses of vitamin C have been given to Chronic Fatigue patients with excellent results and if you are a sufferer, a daily dose of 3g is recommended. There are lots of supplements formulated to boost energy levels but you need to find one that will provide a slow release of energy throughout your busy day. I recommend a Siberian Ginseng, which is used in the East to help the body better withstand stress and which will not only give you more energy but increase your alertness.
Any form of moderate exercise will boost your energy levels by releasing endorphins. You do not have to run the London marathon but 30 minutes of modest exercise, three times a week with a rest day in between will do more than anything else to boost your vitality so maybe your sister’s line dancing really is the key.
*Lamberts makes a Coenzyme Q-10 supplement which costs £14.50 for 60 x 30mg tablets. You can mail order these from Revital (0800-252875), which also sells a vegetarian Siberian Ginseng capsule. 60 x 400mg capsules cost £9.45.