CATEGORY HUB
Energy & Fatigue
Energy & Fatigue verdicts ranked by evidence score. 129 verdicts in this category.
59 foods and supplements claimed to help energy and fatigue, ranked by evidence
Drugs and procedures removed — only what you swallow, ordered by how strong the evidence is.
Energy & Fatigue Evidence Ranking
Within this category, verdicts with higher evidence scores appear first. Verdicts without a score stay lower in the same list.
| A | 92 | Oral iron for iron deficiency | Correction of iron-deficiency anemia and improvement of deficiency-related fatigue |
| A | 88 | Hydrocortisone (physiologic glucocorticoid hormone and prescription medicine) | Correction of cortisol-deficiency fatigue and weakness and prevention of adrenal crisis in confirmed primary adrenal insufficiency |
| A | 86 | Levothyroxine sodium (synthetic T4 thyroid hormone; prescription drug, Synthroid) | Normalization of thyroid-stimulating hormone and free T4 with improvement of deficiency-related fatigue and cold intolerance in overt primary hypothyroidism |
| B | 79 | Caffeine citrate (methylxanthine respiratory stimulant, Cafnea, prescription injection or oral solution) | Reduction in death or neurodevelopmental disability at 18 to 21 months when treating apnea of prematurity |
| B | 78 | Non-invasive bilevel positive-pressure ventilation (NIV or BiPAP, a mask-based respiratory-support device and hospital procedure) | Prevention of hospital mortality and endotracheal intubation in acute hypercapnic COPD exacerbation |
| B | 77 | Modafinil (a prescription non-amphetamine wake-promoting eugeroic; Provigil) | Reduction of excessive daytime sleepiness and maintenance of wakefulness in adults with narcolepsy |
| B | 76 | Prolonged prone positioning for at least 16 hours per day | Lower 28-day and 90-day mortality in mechanically ventilated severe ARDS |
| B | 76 | One 30-minute preoperative physiotherapy education and breathing-training session before upper abdominal surgery | Reduced 14-day postoperative pulmonary complications and pneumonia |
| B | 76 | High-dose postdilution online hemodiafiltration targeting at least 23 L of convection volume per session | Reduced all-cause mortality versus high-flux hemodialysis in maintenance dialysis |
| B | 75 | Low-tidal-volume lung-protective ventilation (a critical-care mechanical-ventilation strategy and procedure) | Reduced 28-day and hospital mortality in adult acute respiratory distress syndrome |
| B | 74 | Solriamfetol (a prescription dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake-inhibiting wake-promoting agent) | Reduced excessive daytime sleepiness and sustained wakefulness in adults with narcolepsy |
| B | 74 | Pitolisant (prescription histamine H3-receptor inverse agonist) | Reduced excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy in narcolepsy |
| B | 73 | Post-exacerbation pulmonary rehabilitation (an exercise, breathing-training, and education program) | Prevention of readmission after hospitalization for a COPD exacerbation |
| B | 72 | Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP; prescribed or rented sleep-breathing medical device) | Improvement in daytime sleepiness, daily functioning, and quality of life in obstructive sleep apnea |
| B | 72 | Pulmonary rehabilitation for stable COPD (multidisciplinary exercise, education, and behavior-change program) | Improvement of dyspnea and health-related quality of life in stable COPD |
| B | 72 | Ibuprofen 600 mg three times daily for acute mountain sickness prophylaxis | Reduced acute mountain sickness during rapid ascent |
| B | 72 | Preoperative intensive threshold inspiratory-muscle training plus breathing and coughing instruction for high-risk CABG patients | Reduction in postoperative pulmonary complications and pneumonia |
| B | 72 | A five-day course of prednisone 40 mg | Noninferior six-month re-exacerbation after hospitalized acute COPD exacerbation versus 14 days |
| B | 70 | Progressive threshold inspiratory-muscle strength training in tracheostomized patients with prolonged failure to wean | More successful weaning sustained for 72 hours versus constant low-load sham training |
| B | 70 | Cash-like rewards contingent on successful smoking cessation | Increased sustained abstinence through six months versus usual cessation support |
| B | 68 | Intravenous iron sucrose (intravenous iron replacement; prescription injection) | Reduced composite risk of death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or heart-failure hospitalization with a proactive high-dose strategy up to 400 mg monthly in hemodialysis |
| B | 68 | Five minutes of handheld-fan airflow directed across the nose and mouth during refractory breathlessness | Immediate reduction in patient-perceived breathlessness |
| B | 66 | Ferric carboxymaltose (prescription intravenous ferric iron; Ferinject) | Improvement of fatigue, NYHA functional class, six-minute walk distance, and quality of life in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and iron deficiency |
| B | 62 | Pyridostigmine bromide (prescription reversible cholinesterase inhibitor; Mestinon) | Symptomatic relief of fluctuating muscle weakness and fatigability in myasthenia gravis |
| C | 57 | American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) | Improvement of cancer-related fatigue in patients and survivors |
| C | 55 | Octacosanol | fatigue and endurance |
| C | 55 | Extended-release fampridine or dalfampridine (prescription potassium-channel blocker for walking impairment) | Improved walking speed and ability in a subset of people with multiple sclerosis |
| C | 55 | Home long-term noninvasive ventilation (home NIV or BiPAP, a prescribed positive-pressure respiratory-support device) | Delayed readmission or death in patients with persistent hypercapnia after an acute COPD exacerbation |
| C | 54 | Inhaled ensifentrine 3 mg twice daily, a prescription dual PDE3 and PDE4 inhibitor | Improved week-12 FEV1 AUC0-12h, with symptoms, quality of life, and week-24 exacerbations assessed separately |
| C | 54 | A porridge meal labeled with 4 mg iron isotope taken with 200 mL black tea | Reduced single-meal fractional nonheme-iron absorption |
| C | 54 | A 19-mm polyurethane foam anti-fatigue mat | Relief of perceived foot and leg fatigue during prolonged standing |
| C | 54 | Starting term or near-term neonatal resuscitation with 21% room air and adding oxygen if needed | Reduced death or moderate-to-severe hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy versus starting with 100% oxygen |
| C | 54 | The SMArT Work package combining a sit-stand desk with education, goals, feedback, coaching, and prompts | Reduced occupational sitting at 12 months among office workers |
| C | 54 | Manualized once-weekly Swedish massage delivered by licensed therapists | Reduced persistent cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer survivors |
| C | 54 | Once-daily modified-release hydrocortisone | Improved weight and metabolism in adrenal insufficiency |
| C | 52 | Vitamin B1 (thiamine) | Fatigue and nerve function |
| C | 52 | Riboflavin (vitamin B2) | Energy production and fatigue improvement |
| C | 52 | Ferric carboxymaltose (intravenous ferric complex, prescription injection; Ferinject) | Reduced heart-failure rehospitalization through 52 weeks after stabilization from acute heart failure with iron deficiency |
| C | 51 | EnXtra® (a proprietary standardized extract of Alpinia galanga) | Improved caffeine-free alertness, attention, and sustained energy |
| C | 50 | B-complex vitamins | Fatigue |
| C | 50 | Fermented porcine placenta extract | Improvement of fatigue |
| C | 50 | Efgartigimod alfa (prescription FcRn-blocking biologic) | Improved activities of daily living in AChR-antibody-positive generalized myasthenia gravis |
| C | 50 | Taking levothyroxine fasting immediately before bedtime | Lower thyroid-stimulating hormone versus dosing 30 minutes before breakfast |
| C | 50 | Immersion of a jellyfish-stung area in 40-45°C water | Faster relief of acute pain than ice packs or other topical measures |
| C | 50 | Mitapivat, an oral red-cell pyruvate kinase activator | Increased week-12-to-24 hemoglobin response in non-transfusion-dependent alpha- or beta-thalassemia |
| C | 50 | Roxadustat, an oral prescription HIF prolyl-hydroxylase inhibitor | Noninferior hemoglobin change versus epoetin alfa in dialysis-dependent kidney anemia |
| C | 48 | Taurine | Fatigue and vitality |
| C | 48 | elevATP® (a proprietary blend of ancient peat and apple extract) | Increased cellular ATP, vitality, exercise energy, and strength |
| C | 48 | Coenzyme Q10 (mitochondrial quinone antioxidant supplement) | Reduction of subjective fatigue in adults with heterogeneous causes and diseases |
| C | 48 | High-dose intravenous vitamin C (10-g infusion, marketed as a fatigue-recovery drip) | Reduced temporary fatigue in healthy office workers |
| C | 47 | Schisandra chinensis (schisandra) | Fatigue, liver, and antioxidant effects |
| C | 47 | PQQ (pyrroloquinoline quinone) | Energy and cognition |
| C | 47 | Molecular hydrogen or hydrogen-rich water and generating tablets (dissolved H2 supplements) | Reduced perceived fatigue and blood lactate during exercise with improved endurance |
| C | 46 | Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) | Fatigue and stress |
| C | 46 | Cordyceps (including C. militaris, C. sinensis/Cs-4, and Cordyceps mycelium culture extract) | Vitality, immunity, and exercise |
| C | 46 | Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) | Fatigue and anemia |
| C | 46 | Metformin (prescription biguanide glucose-lowering medicine; use for long-COVID prevention is off label) | Prevention of long COVID when started early during acute COVID-19 in adults with overweight or obesity |
| C | 46 | Iron-fortified cereal providing 16 mg iron, milk, and two gold kiwifruit eaten together for 16 weeks | Improved iron-storage markers in nonanemic women with low iron stores |
| C | 45 | Modafinil (wakefulness-promoting prescription drug; Provigil; off-label for multiple-sclerosis fatigue) | Improvement of chronic fatigue and fatigue-related daily functioning in people with multiple sclerosis |
| C | 44 | Royal jelly | Fatigue recovery and increased vitality |
| C | 44 | Theacrine (TeaCrine) | Improvement of alertness, energy, and fatigue |
| C | 43 | Eleuthero/Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) | Fatigue, stress, and exercise |
| C | 43 | Modafinil (Provigil; prescription wake-promoting drug) | Improved mental energy, alertness, and focus in healthy people |
| C | 42 | Arginine (L-arginine) | fatigue and vitality |
| C | 42 | Iron (for non-deficient ordinary people) | Fatigue |
| C | 42 | NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydride) | Improved chronic fatigue |
| C | 42 | Paraxanthine (enfinity®) | Cleaner alertness, endurance, and reaction speed than caffeine |
| C | 42 | Ashwagandha root extract (Withania somnifera, a withanolide-containing adaptogen supplement) | Normalization of TSH, T3, and T4 in asymptomatic or mild subclinical hypothyroidism |
| C | 41 | Stabilized oxaloacetate (benaGene-type supplement) | Reduced physical and mental fatigue in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome |
| C | 40 | D-ribose | Improved fatigue in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia |
| C | 40 | Fermented amino acid complex | Fatigue reduction during endurance exercise |
| C | 40 | Methylliberine (Dynamine®) | Caffeine-free alertness, focus, and exercise energy |
| C | 40 | Magnesium malate / malic acid–magnesium (Super Malic, supplement) | Reduced fatigue and pain in fibromyalgia and increased cellular ATP |
| C | 40 | L-carnitine (an amino-acid derivative involved in fatty-acid transport and sold as a supplement) | Reduced mental fatigue in people with hypothyroidism who remain fatigued during levothyroxine treatment |
| D | 38 | Standardized nitrate-rich beetroot juice (food and sports-supplement beverage) | Improved exercise tolerance, walking or cycling endurance, and dyspnea in patients with COPD |
| D | 34 | Graduated compression stockings (15–30 mmHg consumer-available compression medical device) | Relief of leg fatigue, discomfort, and edema in healthy people who stand for prolonged periods at work |
| D | 34 | Decaf 5-hour Energy low-caffeine shot, one 57-mL bottle | Five-hour alertness, mental energy, and cognitive enhancement independent of caffeine |
| D | 34 | Early venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation | Reduction of 60-day mortality in very severe acute respiratory distress syndrome |
| D | 34 | Conservative oxygen target | Lower all-cause mortality in critically ill adults |
| D | 34 | A comprehensive COPD self-management program combining education, an exacerbation action plan, and scheduled case-management calls | Reduced COPD-related hospitalization |
| D | 34 | A single 1,000-mg infusion of ferric carboxymaltose 10 to 42 days before major open abdominal surgery | Reduction in transfusion or death and in transfusion episodes through 30 days after surgery |
| D | 34 | Routine gastric residual-volume measurement every six hours during early enteral feeding in mechanically ventilated adults | Prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia within 90 days |
| D | 34 | Progressive exercise rehabilitation started within 48 hours of acute respiratory admission | Reduced 12-month readmission and mortality |
| D | 32 | Peppermint essential oil (menthol-rich aroma, nonmedicinal product) | Short-term alertness and relief of mental fatigue through aroma inhalation |
| D | 30 | Guarana seed extract (Paullinia cupana) | Longer-lasting energy than caffeine and improvement of chronic fatigue |
| D | 30 | L-carnitine (oral amino-acid-derivative supplement) | Reduction of cancer- and treatment-related fatigue in patients with cancer |
| D | 30 | Palliative oxygen (nasal cannula at 2 L/min) | Relief of refractory dyspnea in patients without hypoxemia |
| D | 30 | Daily calcium carbonate supplement, 1,000 mg, taken with meals | Long-term iron deficiency or anemia |
| D | 30 | Prehospital cooling by wrapping and repeatedly replacing ice-water-soaked sheets | Adequate cooling and preserved survival when cold-water immersion is difficult in exertional heat stroke |
| D | 30 | Routine subcutaneous normal saline at 1 L/day for terminal cancer patients with reduced intake and mild-to-moderate dehydration | Improved fatigue, myoclonus, sedation, hallucinations, quality of life, and related dehydration symptoms |
| D | 30 | Six months of progressive stationary cycling during hemodialysis | Clinically improved physical health-related quality of life |
| D | 30 | Gradual reduction of mandatory breaths during SIMV for mechanical-ventilator weaning | Faster successful weaning than T-piece spontaneous-breathing trials |
| D | 28 | Fermented Prunus mume vinegar (maesil vinegar) | Improvement of unexplained fatigue and vitality |
| D | 28 | Gongjin-dan (a multi-ingredient herbal medicine containing musk, deer antler, and other materials) | Improved fatigue severity and physical function in unexplained chronic fatigue |
| D | 28 | Vitamin C (ascorbic acid, water-soluble vitamin supplement used with oral iron) | Additional acceleration of hemoglobin recovery in iron-deficiency anemia by increasing iron absorption |
| D | 28 | Low-dose naltrexone (LDN, 1–4.5 mg; a prescription opioid-receptor antagonist used off label) | Improved fatigue and daily functioning in people with long COVID |
| D | 28 | Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR; a dietary supplement) | Improved multiple-sclerosis-related fatigue and daily function |
| D | 28 | Creatine monohydrate (dietary supplement) | Improvement of persistent fatigue and difficulty concentrating in long COVID |
| D | 28 | Myers' cocktail (a noncovered intravenous mixture of B vitamins, vitamin C, and magnesium) | Improved fatigue, pain, and quality of life in fibromyalgia and chronic-fatigue patients |
| D | 28 | Elamipretide (investigational subcutaneous peptide) | Improved walking ability and fatigue in primary mitochondrial myopathy |
| D | 28 | Alternate-day versus daily oral ferrous sulfate at the same cumulative elemental-iron dose | Improved eight-week hemoglobin response versus daily dosing |
| D | 28 | Repeatedly breathing air in and out of a paper bag | Rapid and safe relief of anxiety-induced hyperventilation symptoms |
| D | 27 | Oral methylene blue (nootropic and biohacking use) | Improved mental energy and focus through activation of brain mitochondria |
| D | 27 | Nicotinamide riboside (nicotinamide riboside chloride, an NAD+ precursor and vitamin B3 derivative supplement) | Improved subjective fatigue and daily vitality in adults through increased cellular energy |
| D | 27 | Portable canned oxygen (95% oxygen inhalation, non-medical consumer product) | Faster fatigue recovery and improved subsequent exercise performance during or after exercise at sea level |
| D | 27 | Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) as a fifteen-day oral regimen | Reduced overall symptom burden, including fatigue and brain fog, in established long COVID |
| D | 26 | Liposomal NAD+ | Increased cellular energy and mitochondrial vitality |
| D | 22 | Modafinil 200 mg as a prescription oral tablet | Reduction of cancer-related fatigue across patients with cancer |
| F | 16 | Amantadine sulfate (an NMDA-antagonist and dopaminergic antiparkinsonian prescription medicine sold as PK-Merz; off label for MS fatigue) | Improvement of chronic fatigue and daily function in people with multiple sclerosis |
| F | 15 | Deer velvet antler | Improved physical performance and exercise recovery |
| F | 8 | Theobromine (a cocoa methylxanthine) | Gentler and longer-lasting alertness and energy than caffeine |
| F | 8 | Levothyroxine (prescription synthetic T4 thyroid hormone) | Improved fatigue and thyroid-related symptoms in subclinical hypothyroidism |
| ? | score not listed | Bovine adrenal cortex extract (adrenal glandular) | Recovery from 'adrenal fatigue,' cortisol balance, and increased energy |
| ? | score not listed | Bovine thyroid glandular (thyroid-tissue supplement) | Improved energy, metabolism, and fatigue through thyroid support |
| ? | score not listed | Agarwood extract or agarwood pill, a traditional Aquilaria supplement | Improvement of chronic fatigue and low vitality with immediate restoration of energy |
| ? | score not listed | Korean black goat extract (Capra hircus coreanae, traditional animal-derived food and supplement) | Improvement of anemia and chronic fatigue and restoration of energy in overworked or debilitated people |
| ? | score not listed | Desiccated beef liver (whole-food supplement derived from bovine organ tissue) | Increase everyday energy and reduce fatigue in adults without a confirmed nutritional deficiency |
| ? | score not listed | Liquid chlorophyll, usually a supplement containing the chlorophyll derivative sodium copper chlorophyllin | Increased everyday energy and improved fatigue recovery in healthy adults |
| ? | score not listed | Glucose-electrolyte drink mix (a sodium, potassium, and glucose supplement, including Liquid I.V.) | Improved everyday fatigue and energy in healthy people without dehydration or prolonged exercise |
| ? | score not listed | Mushroom coffee (a conventional food combining coffee with functional mushrooms such as lion's mane, chaga, and cordyceps) | More sustained everyday energy and less fatigue than regular coffee containing the same amount of caffeine |
| ? | score not listed | Oral egg-white ovalbumin (ordinary food used as a protein supplement) | Immediate fatigue recovery, greater vitality, and increased serum albumin in generally well-nourished people |
| ? | score not listed | Celtic sea salt (predominantly sodium chloride sea salt; conventional food) | Recovery from alleged adrenal fatigue and improved daily energy by drinking salt water in the morning |
| ? | score not listed | Intranasal NAD+ spray (unapproved coenzyme-based wellness product sold through cross-border channels) | Improved daily energy and focus and reduced fatigue through nasal absorption |
| ? | score not listed | Fursultiamine injection (fursultiamine or TTFD, active vitamin B1 derivative, self-paid injection also called a garlic shot) | Immediate fatigue relief and increased vitality in generally healthy adults without vitamin B1 deficiency |
| ? | score not listed | Transdermal vitamin B12 patch (a nonmedical wellness cobalamin supplement patch) | Immediate improvement in energy, concentration, and fatigue through skin absorption in adults without vitamin B12 deficiency |
| ? | score not listed | Oral adenosine-5'-triphosphate disodium (PeakATP; nucleotide supplement) | Increased everyday energy and improvement of chronic fatigue independent of exercise |
| ? | score not listed | Dunggulle tea brewed from roasted Polygonatum odoratum rhizome | Recovery from everyday fatigue in non-deficient adults |
| ? | score not listed | Chueotang, Korean loach soup made with bone-ground loach, doenjang, perilla seed, and vegetables | Reduced fatigue and improved vitality or recovery |
| ? | score not listed | A complete bowl of samgyetang made from a young chicken, glutinous rice, ginseng, garlic, and jujube | Reduced fatigue and improved vitality or recovery |