Feeling exhausted is becoming more common as many people work longer hours and have less free time. Most people think stress or not sleeping enough is the cause, but scientists say that what we eat can also affect our energy.
A research team from Osaka Metropolitan University asked whether a lack of certain B‑vitamins might be tied to feeling tired and having low motivation. They looked at folate (vitamin B9) and vitamin B12, which both help keep the blood chemical homocysteine at normal levels.
The study measured blood samples from about 600 healthy adults in Japan. They checked homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 levels, then asked participants to rate their fatigue and motivation using simple questionnaires.
People with higher homocysteine usually had lower folate and vitamin B12, no matter if they were men or women.
When the researchers examined men and women separately, they found that men with more homocysteine reported feeling more physical tiredness. Women with higher homocysteine showed less desire to do things.
Professor Hiroaki Kanouchi said this is the first time a link between these B‑vitamins and everyday fatigue has been shown in healthy people.
He also noted that high homocysteine is known to affect heart health, memory, and bone strength. The new findings suggest we should also watch for fatigue and motivation. Eating foods rich in vitamin B12 and folate every day can help keep homocysteine low and support energy levels.
The results were published in the scientific journal Nutrients.