Fatigue Symptoms

    Last Updated: October 13, 2024

    Fatigue is a decrease in energy that lowers motivation and mental and physical performance. Some supplements are stimulants; they provide a temporary boost. Others may help by improving sleep (if bad sleep is a cause) or energy metabolism (either directly or by affecting hormones).

    Summary

    Fatigue is a reduction in the amount of energy that one is able to expend and goes hand in hand with a lack of motivation. While physical and mental fatigue are often found together, they're distinct as well. This page contains information on both. It's also helpful to distinguish between acute and chronic fatigue. Acute fatigue is normal and derives from doing tiring activities such as exercising, staying up later than usual, or doing mentally demanding work. Chronic fatigue is when, regardless of your activities, you're generally fatigued and lacking motivation. This isn't normal and suggests that something is wrong. The causes of chronic fatigue are numerous and include insomnia/poor sleep quality, stress, anxiety, depression, metabolic abnormalities, severe nutrient deficiencies, use of drugs, and a lack of exercise, among many others.

    Supplements on this page may work through ameliorating the various sleep and mood issues that can lead to fatigue, by being neuroprotective (as much fatigue is due to neural dysfunction) affecting metabolism, hormones, and neurological function, among other roles. For this reason, simply because a supplement can reduce fatigue in some instances doesn't mean that it will work for everyone.

    Examine Database: Fatigue Symptoms

    Research FeedRead all studies

    Examine Database References

    1. Coenzyme Q10 - Gökbel H, Gül I, Belviranl M, Okudan NThe effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on performance during repeated bouts of supramaximal exercise in sedentary menJ Strength Cond Res.(2010 Jan)
    2. Coenzyme Q10 - Sanoobar M, Dehghan P, Khalili M, Azimi A, Seifar FCoenzyme Q10 as a treatment for fatigue and depression in multiple sclerosis patients: A double blind randomized clinical trialNutr Neurosci.(2016)
    3. Vitamin B12 - Huijts M, van Oostenbrugge RJ, Rouhl RP, Menheere P, Duits AEffects of vitamin B12 supplementation on cognition, depression, and fatigue in patients with lacunar strokeInt Psychogeriatr.(2013 Mar)
    4. Phosphatidylserine - Kingsley MI, Miller M, Kilduff LP, McEneny J, Benton DEffects of phosphatidylserine on exercise capacity during cycling in active malesMed Sci Sports Exerc.(2006 Jan)
    5. Branched-Chain Amino Acids - Wiśnik P, Chmura J, Ziemba AW, Mikulski T, Nazar KThe effect of branched chain amino acids on psychomotor performance during treadmill exercise of changing intensity simulating a soccer gameAppl Physiol Nutr Metab.(2011 Dec)
    6. Phosphatidylserine - Parker AG, Gordon J, Thornton A, Byars A, Lubker J, Bartlett M, Byrd M, Oliver J, Simbo S, Rasmussen C, Greenwood M, Kreider RBThe effects of IQPLUS Focus on cognitive function, mood and endocrine response before and following acute exerciseJ Int Soc Sports Nutr.(2011 Oct 21)
    7. Coenzyme Q10 - Mario D Cordero, Elísabet Alcocer-Gómez, Manuel de Miguel, Ognjen Culic, Angel M Carrión, José Miguel Alvarez-Suarez, Pedro Bullón, Maurizio Battino, Ana Fernández-Rodríguez, José Antonio Sánchez-AlcazarCan coenzyme q10 improve clinical and molecular parameters in fibromyalgia?Antioxid Redox Signal.(2013 Oct 20)
    8. Coenzyme Q10 - Lee YJ, Cho WJ, Kim JK, Lee DCEffects of coenzyme Q10 on arterial stiffness, metabolic parameters, and fatigue in obese subjects: a double-blind randomized controlled studyJ Med Food.(2011 Apr)
    9. Coenzyme Q10 - Mizuno K, Tanaka M, Nozaki S, Mizuma H, Ataka S, Tahara T, Sugino T, Shirai T, Kajimoto Y, Kuratsune H, Kajimoto O, Watanabe YAntifatigue effects of coenzyme Q10 during physical fatigueNutrition.(2008 Apr)
    10. Coenzyme Q10 - Serag H, El Wakeel L, Adly ACoenzyme Q10 administration has no effect on sICAM-1 and metabolic parameters of pediatrics with type 1 diabetes mellitusInt J Vitam Nutr Res.(2020 Jan 16)
    11. Coenzyme Q10 - Magalhães PLM, da Silva AMP, Maximiano MLB, Fernandes JVA, Amaral DC, Fortes AAT, Filho HNF, Silva LO, Teixeira BDDS, Franco ES, Maia MBSEffects of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Depressive Symptoms and Fatigue: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.J Clin Psychopharmacol.(2026 Jan-Feb 01)