The Vitamin You Need If You Are Constantly Tired

Feeling tired after staying up late is something we all go through, but being tired all the time is different. The Better Health Channel points out that fatigue — the feeling of constant tiredness which can be both physical, mental, or a combination of both — is a symptom of something else going on. A variety of factors could leave you feeling fatigued much of the time, and they can range from lifestyle choices to mental health issues, per Better Health Channel. Medical News Today explains that sometimes a medical issue, such as anemia, diabetes, or high blood pressure, can be a contributing cause of fatigue. Even something as too little or too much exercise can lead to fatigue, says Medical News Today. 

Being constantly tired can take a toll on the body. The Better Health Channel states that it can lead to muscle weakness, slowed reaction times, and impaired hand-to-eye coordination. Other fatigue symptoms include moodiness, poor concentration, short-term memory problems, blurry vision, and headache. While treating fatigue is complex, ensuring one particular vitamin in your diet could potentially help.

Vitamin B — vitamin B12 in particular — may help relieve the feeling of being always tired. Reports LIVESTRONG, the eight B vitamins (folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12) help your body metabolize food and turn it into energy; not having enough B vitamins makes this process less effective and can lead to fatigue. Moreover, consuming enough vitamin B12 is significant because it helps your body produce red blood cells, so having a deficiency in B12 may lead to anemia, for which fatigue is a primary symptom. 

Eating foods rich in vitamin B12 is the best way to boost your levels of it. Eat This, Not That! suggests getting the vitamin from fish, poultry, dairy, and eggs. Vegans and vegetarians can get foods fortified with vitamin B12, or they can take supplements.