More than 50 percent of all Americans take vitamins, says the National Institutes of Health, and this number had been relatively solid for about 10 years at the time of publication. The most popular vitamins on the market are B-complex, vitamins C and E. For the treatment of fatigue syndromes, eating a nutrient-rich diet or taking daily supplements seems to be promising, but for people who feel sleepy despite their daily vitamin regimen, it’s possible that hypervitaminosis – taking too much – is to blame. Chronic fatigue syndrome is a condition that causes constant sleepiness. Patients report feeling too tired to do even daily activities, regardless of how much sleep they get. Vitamins have offered some relief to people with CFS, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Taking a sufficient amount of vitamin B-12 may improve energy. Vitamins B-6 and B-5 may reduce stress, which can increase fatigue. Vitamin D deficiency seems to worsen symptoms of CFS. Hypervitaminosis is a condition that occurs when a person has high blood serum levels of a particular vitamin.
The Institute of Medicine has developed tolerable upper intake levels, or UL. This refers to the highest daily intake level that poses no risk of health complications to nearly all individuals in the population. For any intake that exceeds the UL, risk of adverse effects may increase. For many vitamins, feeling tired or fatigued is a side effect of over-supplementation. There are two types of vitamin toxicity: acute and chronic. "Acute" hypervitaminosis occurs when a person takes too much of a vitamin over a short period of time. "Chronic" refers to when a person takes too much over a longer, consistent period of time. Taking too much of vitamins A and D, according to "The New York Times," can cause fatigue and weakness. High doses of B-6 can lead to neurological and sensory problems, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Most cases of toxicity can be avoided by getting the recommended daily allowances of vitamins through dietary sources. In many instances, the body has a built-in mechanism for preventing overdosing in this manner.
When vitamins taste like candy or are sold in the shape of cartoon characters, it’s easy to understand how their potential dangers can be underestimated. Before starting any new vitamin regimen, discuss your current medications and general health with your doctor. Keep in mind that many vitamins can interact dangerously with other prescription drugs. Also, vitamin toxicity is a very real concern for people who frequently drink vitamin-infused beverages and eat a diet high in vitamins while also taking multivitamin supplements. Gain 2 pounds per week Gain 1.5 pounds per week Gain 1 pound per week Gain 0.5 pound per week Maintain my current weight Lose 0.5 pound per week Lose 1 pound per week Lose 1.5 pounds per week Lose 2 pounds per week Can You Take Multivitamins With B-Complex Vitamins? Side Effects of Extra B-Complex Vitamins How Much Is Too Much Vitamin B Complex? Vitamin B Complex and Green Urine How Does Vitamin B Complex Help Your Body?
Can Taking B-12 Make You Tired? Side Effects of a Vitamin C Overdose Why Might You Feel Nauseous After Taking Vitamins? Vitamins to Take When You Are Feeling Tired Daily Dose: The Vitamins You Should or Shouldn't Be Taking Is It Better to Take Vitamins at Night or Morning? Why Do Vitamins Make You Sick? Vitamin E & Sleep B-Complex Vitamin Benefits & Side Effects Magnesium Supplements & Drowsiness Vitamin B Overdose Treatment Vitamin C & Diarrhea Vitamins to Avoid Before Surgery Multivitamins Containing No Vitamin A or EFatigue can signal anemia, diabetes, hypothyroidism or hepatitis C. But once your doctor rules out major medical causes of fatigue, it’s time to consider hidden ones. “We look for the less obvious roots of fatigue — that’s our job,” says Brenda Powell, MD. Diets that are high in trans fats, saturated fats, processed foods and added sugars can sap your energy. Dr. Powell recommends switching to a diet high in good sources of protein — mainly fish, nuts, seeds and beans — with eight to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
Watch out for grains, though. These complex carbs affect insulin. “Insulin is the storage hormone that makes us heavier. The heavier we are, the higher our blood sugar becomes, and the more insulin resistance (prediabetes) we develop,” she says. Today’s industrial farming practices may rob the soil of key fatigue-fighting minerals, some experts say. To be sure people are getting the nutrients they need, Dr. Powell recommends taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement. In particular, she thinks it is important to take supplements for: Fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids — but most of us don’t eat enough. “I recommend about 1,000 mg of an omega-3 supplement,” says Dr. Powell. “My preference is fish oil because it is the long-chain form that our body needs.” Vitamin D gives us energy. Low levels of this vitamin can cause low energy and depression. “Vitamin D and omega-3 are necessary for every single cell in the body — including brain cells — to work properly,” says Dr. Powell.
If blood tests reveal low vitamin D levels, she recommends supplements. We are born with a finite amount of magnesium — also needed for energy production — in our bones and muscles. The vast majority of Americans get less than half the required amount of this mineral from their diet. “Magnesium is still leaching out of our bones and muscles in our 40s and 50s,” says Dr. Powell. She recommends magnesium replacement as part of a plan to address symptoms of insomnia, fatigue, constipation, muscle cramps and pain, joint pain, anxiety and elevated blood pressure. When it comes to sleep difficulties, “we’ve got the perfect storm happening in our 40s and 50s,” says Dr. Powell. Reasons for lost sleep include increased work responsibilities, living with teens, aging parents and falling magnesium levels. For women, menopause and perimenopause are also factors. Falling levels of progesterone (a female hormone that helps with sleep) and hot flashes can cause insomnia.