Can Supplements Help Boost Your Energy

Energy supplements have become one of the most popular categories of supplements. It seems like everyone these days needs an energy boost. Hectic lifestyles seem to be one of the main reasons for lack of energy and a desire for something that can help.

But do they work? Some energy supplements may help but you need to know what you are looking for. Otherwise, supplements you buy could just leave you hundreds of dollars poorer and no less sluggish.

Here is some information that may help guide you to the supplements that can benefit you the most. It’s also important to get advice from a physician who has been educated on supplementation:

To help break it down, I will divide these energy supplement ingredients into three categories:

1. Stimulants – Can help rev up the metabolism. Here are lists of energy supplements which contain these:

• Caffeine - is a common ingredient in just about any product marketed for energy, while an energy drink might have 20 other ingredients, the one you really feel is likely to be caffeine. Caffeine can step up your metabolism and can even give you greater mental clarity. Although, most experts say to have no more than 2 cups a day.

• Herbal sources of caffeine and related compounds like guarana, yerba mate, and kola nut

• Green tea (also a source of caffeine) - also provides a related compound, theophylline, as well as the antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Possibly, because of these specific compounds, green tea may have unique effects on mental and physical energy.

• Capsaicin (red pepper) - the ingredient that makes chili peppers hot; is sometimes used for its alleged stimulant properties, but more for a metabolic boost than for improvements in physical or mental energy.

• Asian Ginseng - is not a caffeine derivative, but it may also serve as a mild stimulant. There is some scientific research that shows it can have positive effects on psychological and physical health.

• Bitter Orange (specifically, the ingredient synephrine) – is an extract from the rind of a different citrus species than that used for classic orange juice, is another energy supplement unrelated to caffeine. Though it has not been studied much, some experts fear there could be some risks taking it. Its active ingredient- synephrine is chemically similar to ephedrine which was pulled off the market in 2004 because of some serious health risks.

For lack of space, I will need to continue the other categories next week. The bottom line: Will these supplements boost energy? Yes, stimulants like these most likely will rev up your metabolism temporarily, but the key is eating healthy, exercising as well as taking a superior line of supplements.