We’ve all heard of health supplements which athletes and bodybuilders use to build muscle, but have you considered taking some supplements to boost your performance in the office?
Whilst dietary supplements definitely shouldn’t take the place of a healthy diet, Paul M. Coates, Ph.D., director of ODS points out that “some might have value for certain types of activity.”
With seventy-six per cent of people recorded to have felt tired during the week last year (according to the Virgin Pulse Institute), what if we told you that you could boost your physical health and energy using?
We’ve put together the top five supplements we recommend so that you can maximise your energy levels and work productively all week long!
1) Antioxidants such as Vitamin C
Along with a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, keeping your vitamins and minerals up will help you to feel energised and able to perform at your best.
A study which followed 46,994 healthy men over twenty years found that people who took a vitamin C supplement had a forty-four per cent lower risk of developing gout.
Vitamin C is vital in boosting your antioxidant levels and helping to reduce your risk of chronic disease! To increase your levels naturally, along with Vitamin C supplements, consume plenty of citrus fruits, strawberries, potatoes and peppers.
2) Drinking Green Tea
There are plenty of health benefits for drinking green tea… improved brain function, fat loss and protection against cancer (to name just a few!)
In fact, green tea does far more than just hydrate your body. Containing a catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), green tea protects cells from damage and crucially helps to treat various diseases.
Plus, if you aren’t too much of a fan of drinking green tea, try some green tea capsules! Containing forty per cent polyphenols, green tea capsules are natural herbal supplements and also suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
3) Iron
Iron is undoubtedly a necessary component needed for the body to function. With iron deficiency rife for young female athletes in particular with 52% of female athletes with reduced levels than average (according to a Swiss Review), research shows that low iron levels can impact the body’s ability to have enough energy, thus reducing energy levels. 
Increase your iron levels today by taking iron supplements and also consuming foods high in iron. These include meat, poultry, seafood and eggs.
4) Calcium
Calcium is needed to help the body build and maintain healthy teeth, muscles and bones. A mineral which is one of the compounds which is important for your body, calcium is found in dairy products.
Needed to reduce the risk of injury and help people to maintain a healthy muscle mass, calcium is essential for anyone working in the office so that you can stay energised and feel alert.
5) Vitamin D
Vitamin D can help strengthen muscles, support the immune system and fight inflammation. In fact, it is even proven that “vitamin D promotes absorption of calcium in your gut, which ultimately allows for normal mineralization of your bones,” Jackie Newgent, RDN, culinary nutritionist and author of The Clean & Simple Diabetes Cookbook.
Additionally, Vitamin D can help to reduce symptoms of depression! Getting outside into the sun is both mentally and physically beneficial as by getting some light exercise and sun rays you will also be absorbing your daily intake of Vitamin D!
Sources
‘Dietary Supplements for Exercise and Athletic Performance’<https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/ExerciseAndAthleticPerformance-Consumer/>
<https://www.virginpulse.com/press/76-percent-of-workforce-is-tired-most-weekdays-15-percent-have-fallen-asleep-on-the-job-at-least-once-per-week-says-new-study/>
‘Should you take dietary supplements to boost your workout?’ <https://www.hindustantimes.com/fitness/should-you-take-dietary-supplements-to-boost-your-workout/story-qevoyQ2TN7NAe04krBnhCL.html>
‘Vitamins and Supplements for Athletes’ <https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327166>
‘10 Evidence Based Benefits of Drinking Green Tea’ <https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-green-tea>
‘18 Shocking Health Benefits of Calcium’ <https://healthbenefitsof.org/18-shocking-health-benefits-of-calcium/>
‘9 Vitamin D Benefits You Should Know - and How To Get Morein Your Diet’ <https://www.health.com/nutrition/vitamins-supplements/vitamin-d-benefits>
<https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/good-n-natural-green-tea-extract-tablets-315mg-60003131>