Have you ever asked yourself what is the best vitamin to take? Maybe you’ve considered taking a multivitamin or wondered if there is a best vitamin to take daily?
If you’re experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, brittle nails or frequent colds, this could indicate that you have a vitamin deficiency.
But which vitamin are you lacking in?
Let’s take a closer look at the symptoms to look out for, food sources to increase your vitamin levels and the best vitamin to take for different aspects of your health.
In this blog we’ll go through:
- Why vitamins are important for your health
- The best vitamin to take for energy and vitality
- The best vitamin to take for your immune system
- The best vitamin to take for your brain and mood
- The best vitamin to take for skin, hair and nails
And don’t worry, if the symptoms start adding up, Synergy Integrative Health and Wellness is here to help you balance any vitamin deficiency. Getting your energy back and improving your immune system and mood is the ultimate goal.
Okay, let’s dive straight into it!
Why Vitamins Matter
Before we jump into the best vitamin to take for increasing energy, it’s important to understand how vitamins impact your health and if they actually make a difference.
Vitamins support your bodily functions, your immune system, energy production and the function of your cells and organs. They keep things running smoothly.
A deficiency in a vitamin can lead to health issues including fatigue, anemia, impaired cognitive function and overall poorer health outcomes.
Fortunately, Synergy Integrative Health and Wellness’ health expert and registered dietitian nutritionist can help you find the best vitamin to take for your body and:
- Correct a vitamin deficiency through personalized nutritional support
- Guide you through lifestyle changes that improve your overall health
- Suggest high-quality supplements to fill in the gaps of missing nutrients
The Best Vitamin to Take For Energy and Vitality
Does your energy run out quickly? Do you often feel tired or fatigued? A lack of a certain vitamin may be the culprit and it might be time to think of the best vitamin to take in this situation.
So, what’s the best vitamin to take to increase your energy throughout your day?
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
Vitamin B12 is vital for red blood cell production which carries oxygen throughout your body and nervous system function. If choosing a vitamin B12 supplement, make sure it’s methylcobalamin, not cyanocobalamin – it’s the active form your body prefers!
Look out for – Fatigue, tingling in your hands and feet, brain fog, depression or trouble remembering things.
Find it in – Meat, fish, eggs and dairy products. (If you don’t consume dairy or meat, you may need to take a supplement.)
But Don’t Overlook…Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
Another vitamin from the B family! Thiamine turns your carbohydrates into energy and helps your nerves function optimally.
Look out for – Fatigue, muscle cramps, irritability and nerve issues.
Find it in – Whole grains, pork and legumes such as beans and lentils and nuts and seeds.
The Best Vitamin to Take For Your Immune System
Does it take you a long time to recover after getting sick? If you notice that you’re getting sick more frequently than your peers or need longer to recover, that may be a sign that you’re deficient in a vitamin.
Here is the best vitamin to take when sick and when your immune system needs extra support!
Vitamin D
Studies show that around 42% of people in the United States are deficient in vitamin D so the best vitamin to take for a healthy immune system may be vitamin D.
Vitamin D helps your immune system fight off infection and lowers inflammation. But most people aren’t getting enough outdoor time or eating foods with vitamin D.
Look out for – Frequent colds, muscle aches and tiredness.
Find it in – More morning or evening sun, fatty fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines, egg yolks, sun dried mushrooms or a high quality vitamin D supplement.
**Hot tip** – Some types of mushrooms like maitake and shiitake absorb vitamin D in a similar way to our skin! You can boost your vitamin D by placing fresh mushrooms in the sun for 30-60 minutes before cooking!
But Don’t Overlook…Vitamin C
Vitamin D is important but vitamin C is a close second and may be the best vitamin to take if you’re spending a lot of time around young children or in crowded spaces. Vitamin C helps your immune system fight off germs and is an antioxidant that keeps you healthy.
Look out for – Frequent infections or slow healing.
Find it in – Citrus fruits, kiwis, bell peppers.
The Best Vitamin to Take For Brain Health and Mood
Your brain needs vitamins to function properly and keep your mood balanced. If your mood isn’t stable or you have noticed difficulty concentrating or poor memory, you may not be getting the vitamins you need.
There’s more than one best vitamin to take for cognitive function, let’s have a look at them.
B Vitamins
The best vitamin to take for your brain is a selection of B vitamins. Vitamin B1 (thiamine), B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin B9 (folate) and B12 (cobalamin) work collectively to improve brain function.
They support energy production in brain cells, help to produce serotonin and dopamine and prevent memory loss.
Look out for – Poor memory, mood swings, irritability, trouble concentrating.
Find it in – Meat, dairy, fish, leafy greens, poultry, bananas and chickpeas. Avoid fortified foods as your body won’t absorb them as well as the vitamins naturally found in food or high-quality supplements. Prioritize folate (the natural form of vitamin B9 found in foods) over folic acid. Folic acid is the synthetic version of the vitamin found in fortified foods and supplements.
The Best Vitamin to Take for Skin, Hair and Nails
We all want to be glowing from the inside out so here is the best vitamin to take for perfect skin and the best vitamin for soft hair and healthy nails!
Skin – Vitamin A and C
When thinking about the best vitamin to take for skin health, we couldn’t pick just one! That’s because vitamin A and C can both help you achieve that glow!
Vitamin A helps skin cells grow and repair and prevents dryness and acne. Vitamin C isn’t just good for your immune system, it also helps to make collagen and protect the skin from damage
Look out for – Rough skin, acne or dry eyes (vitamin A) and dry or wrinkled skin that is slow to heal (vitamin C).
Find it in – Carrots, sweet potatoes and kale (vitamin A) and citrus fruits, strawberries and bell peppers (vitamin C).
Hair and Nails- Vitamin B7 (biotin)
Biotin is key to maintaining healthy, strong hair and nails. It helps to strengthen hair and prevents nails from becoming brittle and chipping.
Look out for – Hair thinning or brittle nails.
Find it in – Eggs, nuts and seeds.
Test Your Vitamin Levels in Oak Park
Fatigue, long recovery times and even dry skin can be frustrating symptoms to deal with. That’s why Synergy Integrative Health and Wellness offers comprehensive testing so that you can minimize the guesswork and address the root cause.
You’ll find out:
- Exactly which vitamins and minerals you may be deficient in
- How to increase your nutritional intake
- Whether your symptoms are linked to more serious health issues
Our integrative health expert and registered dietitian nutritionist are both here to support your body through a journey thatprioritizes root cause healing and long term nutrition and lifestyle changes.
Want to learn what YOUR best vitamin to take is? Book in a consultation today!
Not all supplements are equal. Access our professional-grade and personally selected supplements HERE.