Fatigue
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Nothing checked yetDefault order, by strength of evidence.
Bottom line
For fatigue, start with B vitamins (B complex), Magnesium, CoQ10 (coenzyme Q10). The first one to look at is B vitamins (B complex) — 1 tablet of a product with 20–50 mg of each main B vitamin, 2 if you're very tired (keep total B6 at 100 mg or less); After breakfast or lunch (in the evening they can disturb sleep).
Supplements ranked for this concern
AWell researchedBSome evidenceCLimited evidence
| # | Supplement | Evidence | When | How much | Caution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B vitamins (B complex)Matches your checks Your body uses them to make energy, so they're usually the first pick for fatigue, and people tend to notice them quickly. |
B | After breakfast or lunch (in the evening they can disturb sleep) | 1 tablet of a product with 20–50 mg of each main B vitamin, 2 if you're very tired (keep total B6 at 100 mg or less) | If you have gout, avoid products with high-dose B3 (niacin). Bright yellow urine is normal. | Compare products |
| 2 | MagnesiumMatches your checks Relaxes muscles and nerves, which may help ease fatigue, muscle tightness, eyelid twitching and stress all at once. |
B | After meals. If you also sleep poorly, after dinner. | 200 mg for maintenance, 400 mg if you have signs of low magnesium (as elemental magnesium) | If you have kidney disease, talk to your doctor first. If you often have diarrhea, avoid magnesium oxide. | Compare products |
| 3 | CoQ10 (coenzyme Q10)Matches your checks Essential for cells to make energy, and levels drop with age. Often paired with B vitamins for fatigue after 40. |
B | After breakfast or lunch (in the evening it can disturb sleep) | 100–200 mg a day. Split doses above 200 mg. | If you have low blood pressure or take blood pressure medicine or a blood thinner, talk to your doctor. | Compare products |
| 4 | RhodiolaMatches your checks An herb recognized by health regulators in some countries for easing stress-related fatigue. Add it when vitamins alone don't help. |
B | As directed on the label, consistently for at least a month | Follow the label dose of a standardized extract | Dose data is limited, so don't increase it on your own. If you combine it with calming ingredients, adjust based on how you feel. | Details |
| 5 | L-arginineMatches your checks An amino acid that widens blood vessels to increase blood flow. Often paired with B vitamins for an energy boost when you're tired. |
C | On an empty stomach or before exercise, during the day, not at night (after a meal if it upsets your stomach) | 1 g for maintenance, 2–3 g for severe fatigue. Above 3 g, take a break after 1–2 months. | Long-term high doses may trigger cold sores. Avoid it if you're being treated for cancer or have low blood pressure. | Details |
| 6 | AshwagandhaMatches your checks Lowers stress hormones. An alternative to rhodiola for stress fatigue when you're tired but can't sleep. |
B | Daily. If sleep is your goal, take it in the evening. | 10–30 mg of withanolides a day (about 300–600 mg of KSM-66) | Rarely, it can raise liver enzymes. Avoid it if you have hyperthyroidism or are pregnant. | Compare products |
| 7 | IronMatches your checks With anemia, your body lacks oxygen and B vitamins won't fix the fatigue. Women who feel dizzy and look pale should check iron first. |
B | On an empty stomach (before breakfast or at bedtime). If it upsets your stomach, right after a meal. | 12–20 mg for symptoms, upper limit about 40 mg. If you're diagnosed with anemia, follow your doctor's prescription. | Men under 40 usually don't need it. If you're being treated for cancer, always talk to your doctor. | Compare products |
| 8 | Essential amino acids (EAAs)Matches your checks Protein that's already broken into small pieces, so it's easy to digest. Often suggested for people 60+ who skip meals and feel low on energy. |
C | Before exercise, or whenever is comfortable, before or after meals | 2 tablets 2–3 times a day, or 1 scoop of powder (about 4 g) 1–2 times a day | If you have kidney problems or high liver enzymes, talk to your doctor first. | Details |
Medications to watch out for
If you take any medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting.
Blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin) and aspirinCoQ10 · L-arginineAdds to the blood-thinning effect and may raise bleeding risk. Talk to your doctor.
Blood pressure medicineCoQ10 · L-arginine · Magnesium · AshwagandhaMay lower blood pressure further and make you dizzy.
Erectile dysfunction drugs (sildenafil (Viagra), etc.)L-arginineBoth widen blood vessels, so blood pressure may drop too low. Don't take them together.
Quinolone and tetracycline antibiotics (ciprofloxacin (Cipro), doxycycline, etc.)IronThey block each other's absorption. Space them 2–4 hours apart.
Thyroid hormone, sleeping pills and sedativesAshwagandhaIt may raise thyroid hormone levels or add to the sedative effect. Talk to your doctor.
Undergoing chemotherapy or radiationL-arginine · IronThey may affect cancer cell growth. Don't take them on your own; talk to your oncologist.
Before supplements: daily habits
- 01If your tests come back normal but you're still tired, look at your gut health and diet first.
- 02Lots of coffee can drain magnesium, which may make fatigue and eyelid twitching worse.
- 03If you feel dizzy and short of breath, get tested for anemia before trying supplements.
- 04Take energy-boosting supplements (B vitamins, CoQ10, arginine) in the morning or daytime to protect your sleep.
- 05Start with B vitamins and magnesium as a base, then add one thing at a time and see how your body responds.
Product comparison
| Product | Form | Per serving | Count | Cost per day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin) 2000 mcgBest value Nutricost |
Methylcobalamin (active) capsule | 1 capsule: B12 2,000 mcg | 240 | Low | Amazon → |
| Methyl B-12 1000 mcg Lozenges NOW Foods |
Methylcobalamin (active), dissolvable lozenge | 1 lozenge: B12 1,000 mcg (label 1–2) | 100 | Low | Amazon → |
| High Potency Vitamin B Complex 462mg Nutricost |
Regular B vitamins + methyl B12 | 1 capsule: B1 60, B2 75, B6 50 mg, B12 1,000 mcg | 120 | Low | Amazon → |
| Super B Vitamin B Complex Sustained Release Bronson |
Regular B vitamins, time-release tablet | 1 tablet: B1, B2, B6 50 mg each | 60 | Average | Amazon → |
| Coenzyme B-Complex with Methylfolate and B12 Country Life |
Coenzyme (active) B1, B2, B6 + methyl and adenosyl B12 | 1 capsule: B1, B2, B6 25 mg each, B12 250 mcg (label 1–2 capsules) | 240 | Average | Amazon → |
| Active B-Complex with Methylfolate Integrative Therapeutics |
Active B2, B6, folate (Quatrefolic), B12 (methyl) | 1 capsule: B1, B2, B6 25 mg each, B12 500 mcg (label 1–2 capsules) | 60 | Average | Amazon → |
| B-Complex Plus Pure Encapsulations |
Active B2, B6, folate (Metafolin), B12 (methyl) | 1 capsule: B1 100, B2 12.7, B6 16.7 mg (label 1–2 capsules) | 120 | High | Amazon → |
| High Strength Super B-Complex (Methylated & Active) Igennus |
Active B2, B6, folate (5-MTHF), B12 (methyl), time-release tablet | 2 tablets: B1 40, B2 28, B6 40 mg, B12 1,800 mcg | 180 | High | Amazon → |
Compare all B vitamins (B complex) products →
| Product | Form | Per serving | Count | Cost per day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnesium Citrate 200 mg TabletsBest value NOW Foods |
Citrate | 400 mg | 250 | Low | Amazon → |
| Magnesium Bisglycinate Powder (Albion)Best value NOW Foods |
Bisglycinate powder (Albion) | 250 mg | 91 | Low | Amazon → |
| Magnesium Citrate Pure PowderBest value NOW Foods |
Citrate powder | 435 mg | 76 | Low | Amazon → |
| Natural CALM Magnesium Powder (Raspberry Lemon)Best value Natural Vitality |
Citrate (magnesium carbonate + citric acid, forms when mixed with water) | 325 mg | 100 | Low | Amazon → |
| Magnesium (Citrate) 100 mg Life Extension |
Citrate | 200 mg | 100 | Low | Amazon → |
| High Absorption Magnesium (Glycinate Lysinate Chelate) Doctor's Best |
Glycinate/lysinate chelate (Albion) | 200 mg | 240 | Low | Amazon → |
| Magnesium Citrate Veg Capsules NOW Foods |
Citrate | 400 mg | 240 | Low | Amazon → |
| Magnesium Glycinate 100 mg (Albion) NOW Foods |
Bisglycinate chelate (Albion) | 200 mg | 180 | Average | Amazon → |
Compare all Magnesium products →
| Product | Form | Per serving | Count | Cost per day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Co Q-10 100 mg (Q-Sorb) Rapid Release SoftgelsBest value Puritan's Pride |
Water-soluble Q-Sorb ubiquinone in rice bran oil softgels | 100 mg | 240 | Low | Amazon → |
| CoQ10 100 mg Vegetarian Capsules Nutricost |
CoQ10 powder with rice flour in veggie capsules | 100 mg | 120 | Low | Amazon → |
| CoQ10 100 mg Softgels NOW Foods |
Ubiquinone in olive oil softgels | 100 mg | 150 | Low | Amazon → |
| CoQ10 100 mg Softgels Nature Made |
Ubiquinone in soybean oil softgels | 100 mg | 120 | Low | Amazon → |
| Ultra CoQ10 100 mg Softgels Qunol |
Water-soluble ubiquinone (USP-grade) in MCT softgels | 100 mg | 120 | Average | Amazon → |
| Mega CoQ10 Ubiquinol 100 mg Softgels Qunol |
Ubiquinol (Kaneka) in MCT softgels | 100 mg | 100 | Average | Amazon → |
| Ubiquinol 100 mg Softgels Qunol |
Ubiquinol (Kaneka) in MCT softgels | 100 mg | 120 | Average | Amazon → |
| CoQ10 200 mg Softgels Nature Made |
Ubiquinone in soybean oil softgels | 200 mg | 105 | Average | Amazon → |
Compare all CoQ10 (coenzyme Q10) products →
| Product | Form | Per serving | Count | Cost per day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashwagandha Root 600 mgBest value Nutricost |
Root standardized extract capsule (2.5% withanolides) | 600 mg | 120 | Low | Amazon → |
| Ashwagandha 125 mg (Sensoril) Nature Made |
Sensoril root and leaf extract capsule (10% withanolides) | 125 mg | 60 | Low | Amazon → |
| Ashwagandha 450 mg Standardized Extract NOW Foods |
Root and leaf standardized extract capsule (2.5% withanolides) | 450 mg | 90 | Low | Amazon → |
| Optimized Ashwagandha (Sensoril) Life Extension |
Sensoril root and leaf extract capsule (10% withanolide glycosides) | 125 mg | 60 | Low | Amazon → |
| KSM-66 Ashwagandha Capsules 300 mg Nootropics Depot |
KSM-66 root extract capsule | 300 mg | 90 | Average | Amazon → |
| mykind Organics Ashwagandha (with Fermented Ginger & Probiotics) Garden of Life |
Organic root extract tablet + small amounts of fermented ginger and probiotics | 600 mg | 60 | Average | Amazon → |
| Ashwagandha 300 mg (KSM-66) Jarrow Formulas |
KSM-66 root extract capsule | 300 mg | 120 | Average | Amazon → |
| Ashwagandha 1,000 mg (with KSM-66) Youtheory |
KSM-66 extract + root powder capsule, small amount of ginger extract | 1000 mg | 60 | High | Amazon → |
Compare all Ashwagandha products →
| Product | Form | Per serving | Count | Cost per day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gentle Iron 28 mg CapsulesBest value Nature's Bounty |
Bisglycinate + vitamin C, folate, B12 | 28 mg | 90 | Low | Amazon → |
| Iron 18 mg (Ferrochel) Veg Capsules NOW Foods |
Bisglycinate chelate (Ferrochel) | 18 mg | 120 | Low | Amazon → |
| High Absorption Iron with Ferrochel 27 mg Doctor's Best |
Bisglycinate chelate (Ferrochel) | 27 mg | 120 | Low | Amazon → |
| Gentle Iron 25 mg Vegetable Capsules Solgar |
Bisglycinate chelate | 25 mg | 180 | Low | Amazon → |
| Iron 18 mg Capsules Amazon Elements |
Bisglycinate chelate | 18 mg | 195 | Low | Amazon → |
Cost per day is relative — compared with other products of the same supplement. Check Amazon for the current price. Some links are affiliate links.