5 Common Vitamin Deficiencies That Zap Your Energy & How to Fix Them

5 Common Vitamin Deficiencies That Zap Your Energy & How to Fix Them

Ever feel like you’re running on low battery—even after a full night’s sleep? Before you blame your job, your kids, or that Netflix binge session, take a closer look at what’s on your plate. Vitamin deficiencies might be quietly draining your energy.

Vitamins are the unsung heroes of energy production, metabolism, and overall well-being. Without them, you might find yourself in a perpetual state of exhaustion, brain fog, and feeling like a zombie.

Ready to reclaim your energy? Let’s go!

1. Vitamin D: Your Sunshine Superpower

Why You Need It

Vitamin D does way more than just keep your bones strong. It also:

  • Helps your body absorb calcium
  • Supports immune function
  • Keeps your muscles working properly
  • Plays a role in energy metabolism

A lack of vitamin D can make you feel like you’re dragging through the day, no matter how much coffee you chug.

Signs You Might Be Low on Vitamin D

  • Constant fatigue (even after sleeping well)
  • Achy muscles and joints
  • Feeling down or anxious
  • Catching colds way too often

A study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that people with low vitamin D levels were significantly more fatigued than those with healthy levels.

How to Fix It

  • Get some sun! Aim for 15-30 minutes of direct sunlight daily.
  • Eat vitamin D-rich foods like salmon, egg yolks, and fortified dairy.
  • Consider a supplement if you’re not getting enough from food or sun.

2. Vitamin B12 (And Other B Vitamins): Your Body’s Energy Fuel

Why You Need It

B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, B12) are the MVPs of energy production. They help your body turn food into fuel. Without them, you’re basically running on fumes.

Signs You Might Be Low on B Vitamins

  • Extreme tiredness (like, why-am-I-this-tired tired?)
  • Numbness or tingling in hands and feet (especially if it’s B12)
  • Forgetting things and feeling foggy-headed
  • Mood swings and irritability

A 2016 study in The Journal of Neurology linked B12 deficiency to chronic fatigue, brain fog, and even anemia.

How to Fix It

  • Eat more B-rich foods like whole grains, lean meats, eggs, dairy, nuts, and leafy greens.
  • Vegetarian or vegan? Take a B12 supplement—plants don’t make enough B12 for you.

3. Vitamin A: The Oxygen Carrier

Why You Need It

Vitamin A is famous for supporting eye health, but it also:

  • Helps transport oxygen throughout your body
  • Supports red blood cell production
  • Strengthens the immune system

If you don’t get enough, your body doesn’t get the oxygen it needs—making you feel like you just ran a marathon (when really, you just walked up the stairs).

Signs You Might Be Low on Vitamin A

  • Feeling tired no matter how much you rest
  • Dry skin and brittle hair
  • Trouble seeing at night
  • Getting sick easily

A study in The International Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that vitamin A deficiency reduces oxygen circulation, which leads to chronic fatigue.

How to Fix It

  • Eat more vitamin A-rich foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and eggs.
  • Pair it with healthy fats like avocado or olive oil to help your body absorb it better.

4. Vitamin C: Your Stress & Fatigue Fighter

Why You Need It

Vitamin C isn’t just for avoiding the sniffles—it also:

  • Fights oxidative stress (which drains your energy)
  • Helps your body absorb iron (which prevents anemia-related fatigue)
  • Supports your adrenal glands, which regulate stress hormones

Without enough vitamin C, you might feel drained, stressed, and more sluggish than usual.

Signs You Might Be Low on Vitamin C

  • Constant exhaustion
  • Getting sick more often than usual
  • Slow wound healing
  • Bleeding gums and easy bruising

A study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people with low vitamin C levels felt significantly more tired than those with adequate intake.

How to Fix It

  • Load up on citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and strawberries.

  • Eat more bell peppers, broccoli, and tomatoes.

  • Take a supplement if you don’t get enough fresh produce in your diet.

5. Vitamin E: The Muscle & Brain Protector

Why You Need It

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps:

  • Maintain muscle strength
  • Improve brain function
  • Protect cells from damage

Without it, your muscles and brain don’t function at their best, leaving you extra exhausted.

Signs You Might Be Low on Vitamin E

  • Muscle weakness and chronic fatigue
  • Brain fog and memory problems
  • Numbness or tingling in your limbs
  • Getting sick all the time

A study in Free Radical Biology & Medicine found that vitamin E deficiency leads to oxidative stress, which contributes to muscle fatigue and brain fog.

How to Fix It

  • Snack on nuts and seeds like almonds, sunflower seeds, and hazelnuts.
  • Add healthy oils like olive oil and avocado to your meals.

Fuel Your Body Right

Feeling tired all the time? Your body might just be crying out for essential vitamins. Not getting enough vitamins can leave you feeling weak, sluggish, and mentally drained.

The fix is simple—get your daily dose of vitamins through a balanced diet or an easy supplement like Vitastixc.