The Role of Micronutrients in Cellular Energy Production
The Key Role of Micronutrients
Vitamins and minerals are crucial for human health, as they play a part in fundamental metabolic processes within our cells. Their roles extend to energy production, DNA synthesis, oxygen transport, and proper neuronal function. These essential micronutrients significantly impact both cognitive and psychological processes, influencing aspects such as mental alertness and energy levels.
While a diverse and well-balanced diet, including nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and protein sources, can supply the necessary vitamins and minerals, practical constraints often hinder food choices or availability. As a result, many people may fall short of meeting their optimal dietary requirements.
Canada’s Optimal Dietary Requirements
Health Canada determined that diets with nutrient contents below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) in less than 10% of Canadians would be considered to have a low prevalence of inadequate intake(1). The EAR is the median daily intake value that is estimated to meet the requirement of half the individuals in a specific age and sex group. This implies that at this intake level, the nutritional requirements of the remaining 50% of the group would not be fulfilled
While most Canadians consume enough nutrients to prevent clinical symptoms, many individuals, both male (figure 1) and female (figure 2), fall short of the recommended EAR or Adequate Intake levels. In such cases, vitamin and mineral supplements can help bridge the gap. In fact, many dietary supplement users point to nutrient gaps in their diet as one of the most common reasons(2) for their consumption. Additionally, research(3) shows that people also cite improved well-being, reduced mental and physical fatigue, and enhanced psychological and cognitive functions as motivations for taking natural energy supplements.
Micronutrients And Its Health Impact
Micronutrients are essential vitamins and minerals needed by the body in small amounts. They act as co-factors in converting food into energy by breaking down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into usable energy units. Their impact on health is critical, and deficiencies can lead to severe and even life-threatening conditions.
Micronutrient And Cellular Energy Production
Dietary macronutrients provide energy to our body, maintaining its integrity and enabling physical activity through the following process(4) (Figure 1, part A): enzymes break down ingested food into sugars, fatty acids, and amino acids. These enter cells, where gradual oxidation occurs—first in the cytosol, then in the mitochondria. Ultimately, this process generates chemical energy as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) that can be easily used elsewhere in the cell.
Micronutrients Deficiencies
Deficiencies in most vitamins and minerals have been associated with lethargy or physical fatigue. Research findings(5) highlight a particularly vulnerable population group with potential micronutrient deficiencies: young adults, particularly women, leading busy lives, engaging in physical activity, and making suboptimal dietary choices or frequent dieting.
Micronutrient deficiencies can manifest in both overt and subtle ways. While severe deficiencies result in visible health conditions, milder forms may lead to noticeable reductions in energy levels, mental clarity, and overall capacity. These seemingly minor effects can have broader implications, including decreased work productivity and heightened vulnerability to other diseases and health conditions.
Some of the most common micronutrient deficiencies are (6):
- Iron Deficiency: Symptoms include chronic fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and dizziness due to reduced red blood cells or low hemoglobin concentration. It’s prevalent in the form of anemia in children under 5 years and pregnant women.
- Zinc Deficiency: The consequences of zinc deficiency can be severe. Adults may experience reduced energy levels, mental clarity, and overall capacity, which can lead to decreased work productivity and educational outcomes.
- Iodine Deficiency: Severe deficiency can cause brain damage. During pregnancy, it may lead to stillbirth, spontaneous abortion, and congenital anomalies. Even mild deficiency can impair mental capacity.
- Vitamin A Deficiency: The leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. Increases the risk of severe infections (e.g., diarrheal disease, measles) and death.
While micronutrient supplementation can address deficiencies, it's crucial to take these natural energy supplements consistently over an extended period.
Best Energy Supplements For Chronic Fatigue
Studies(6) indicate that providing individuals with vitamin and mineral supplements can significantly improve health outcomes, particularly in terms of mental and physical fatigue, as well as cognitive and psychological functions.
Many of the best energy supplements for chronic fatigue are formulated from nutritional whole foods specifically designed to address nutrient gaps. Most also include adaptogens; plants and mushrooms which have been traditionally used and scientifically proven to enhance energy, reduce stress effects, and improve mood.
Women’s DAILY+ and Men’s DAILY+ From Living Alchemy
Women’s DAILY+ and Men’s DAILY+ are potent dietary supplements for both men and women that support cellular energy production to help maintain energy and vitality and combat chronic fatigue. This natural energy supplement is created from fermented blend of nutrient-rich organic whole foods, including baobab, maca, and turmeric.
Through fermentation in a kefir-kombucha living culture with our unique Symbio method, the natural healing potency of the herbs and plants are enhanced, while also making them easier for the body to absorb and digest.
Women’s DAILY+ and Men’s DAILY+, like most dietary supplements from Living Alchemy, is vegan and dairy-free with no additives or preservatives. However, feel free to consult a healthcare practitioner before taking Women’s DAILY+ and Men’s DAILY+ or any other natural energy supplements for chronic fatigue.
References:
1: Health Canada, Statistics Canada. Canadian Community Health Survey, Cycle 2.2, Nutrition (2004) - Nutrient Intakes From Food: Provincial, Regional and National Data Tables Volumes 1, 2 & 3 Disk. 2009. Ottawa, Health Canada Publications. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/food-nutrition-surveillance/health-nutrition-surveys/canadian-community-health-survey-cchs/canadian-community-health-survey-cycle-2-2-nutrition-2004-guide-accessing-interpreting-data-health-canada-2006.html
2: Dickinson, A., Blatman, J., El-Dash, N., & Franco, J. C. (2014). Consumer Usage and Reasons for Using Dietary Supplements: Report of a Series of Surveys. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 33(2), 176–182. https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2013.875423
3,4,6: Tardy, Anne-Laure, Etienne Pouteau, Daniel Marquez, Cansu Yilmaz, and Andrew Scholey. 2020. "Vitamins and Minerals for Energy, Fatigue and Cognition: A Narrative Review of the Biochemical and Clinical Evidence" Nutrients 12, no. 1: 228. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12010228
5: Huskisson E, Maggini S, Ruf M. The role of vitamins and minerals in energy metabolism and well-being. J Int Med Res. 2007 May-Jun;35(3):277-89. doi: 10.1177/147323000703500301. PMID: 17593855. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17593855/
6: Espinosa-Salas S, Gonzalez-Arias M. Nutrition: Micronutrient Intake, Imbalances, and Interventions. [Updated 2023 Sep 21]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK597352/