Vitamins for Energy and Other Must-Have Back to School Supplements for Busy Parents

Summer is flying by like usual, and that means school is already right around the corner. If you’re a parent, it’s likely that your summer wasn’t as much of a “break” as it was for your kid. And now that those demands will surely increase with school coming up, we know many parents are looking for easy ways to have more energy and make the school year a success. 

In this article, we’ve got you covered with your back to school supplement plan. You’ll get a look at some of the best vitamins for energy and other key supplements to support your overall health and well-being, especially when you’re busy and on-the-go. 

What Causes Low Energy?

Low energy can be caused by many things, especially high stress levels, poor nutrition, and lack of sleep. These all negatively affect key bodily systems, which in turn can cause things like inflammation, poor cellular functioning, and decreased energy metabolism. 

Now, it can certainly be hard to optimize your energy levels every day, especially when you’re a busy parent. But you want to make sure you focus on doing the best YOU can. This not only makes you feel better; it also helps you be a more positive and productive influence for your child. After all, you want to have enough energy to make sure your child stays healthy and vibrant too! 

To increase your energy and productivity, start with basic tips like eating a well-balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and daily organization and planning. Plus, in today’s tech-dominated world, it’s also important to limit device usage and focus the majority of your time and energy on things that truly matter. 

Vitamins and Supplements for Energy Support

If you’re like most parents with hectic schedules, sometimes those basic tips aren’t enough, and you need a little extra support. And that’s where vitamins and supplements come in!

There are many vitamins for energy and other health benefits, which can work to support your overall health during the back to school season. Some of the main ones are:

  • B-Complex Vitamins: They help convert food into energy, support your metabolism, and also play key roles in mood, motivation, and overall brain function. 
  • Antioxidants: This is a broad category, and can include many antioxidant compounds, such as CoQ10, alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), curcumin, resveratrol, and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) (among others!). Their antioxidant effects help decrease oxidative stress and promote better cellular functioning, including mitochondrial health, which is vital for energy production. 
  • Vitamins A, C, & E: This trio of vitamins offers potent antioxidant effects, which support cellular health and natural energy production from the mitochondria. 
  • Berberine: This is a natural compound known for its potent metabolic-supportive effects, such as helping to lower cholesterol and improving blood sugar utilization. In turn, this supports energy metabolism, weight management, and overall health. 
  • Red yeast rice: This powerful compound has been shown to promote healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and also helps combat inflammation. Thus, it supports a healthier internal state, which in turn helps with energy and overall well-being.
  • Vitamin D: The sunshine vitamin is essential for mitochondrial function and energy production. It can help combat fatigue, promote a better mood, and may even improve muscle function. 

Best Energy Supplements

Now, after reading so far, you may be wondering what the best energy supplement actually is. Well, the truth is that there are several high-quality supplements that can support your energy to a great degree. And the best part? They’re free from stimulants and other ingredients that may unnaturally elevate your energy, only to leave you with a crash and other side effects later. 

If you’re health-conscious, it’s important to choose supplements that work with your body’s natural processes to support energy in a healthy, sustainable way. And the following supplements do just that: 

  • Integrative Therapeutics Berberine: Integrative Therapeutics is one of the leaders in high-quality, safe, and effective wellness formulas. Their Berberine supplement contains 500mg of berberine HCl per capsule, which is a great dose that supports cholesterol, blood sugar, and overall metabolism, with further support for cellular health and energy production. 
  • Thorne Research Quercetin Complex: Thorne Research is one of the most trusted supplement brands for many health goals. Quercetin Complex contains 250mg of quercetin phytosome, a well-absorbed form of quercetin that offers antioxidant effects to combat cellular damage and promote cellular energy production and overall wellness. Plus, this formula adds in bromelain for digestive, immune, and inflammatory support. 
  • Mary Ruth’s Organics Vegan Collagen Boosting Gummies: Mary Ruth’s Organics offers an extensive line-up of vegan wellness products for many concerns and goals. Vegan Collagen Boosting Gummies contain an intelligent combination of vitamin C, vitamin A, amla fruit, and L-lysine. These ingredients work together to support your body’s own natural collagen production and also support healthy skin, digestion, hair, and overall vitality. 
  • Solaray Red Yeast Rice CoQ10: Solaray has been delivering high-quality supplements with proven results for over 50 years. Their Red Yeast Rice CoQ10 supplement provides 600mg of red yeast rice extract and 30mg of CoQ10, which both offer powerful antioxidant and cellular energy support, while also benefiting metabolism. Plus, you get 50mg of niacin (vitamin B3) to further support energy production and metabolism. 
  • Ortho Molecular MitoCORE: Ortho Molecular offers a diverse line-up of science-backed, effective products. MitoCORE is loaded with essential vitamins and minerals for energy and overall wellness, including B-complex vitamins, zinc, magnesium, and vitamin D. But that’s just the start, as this formula also provides ALA, carnitine, NAC, and a variety of herbal extracts to ramp up cellular energy metabolism and promote overall wellness from within. When it comes to naturally supportive products, this makes a great contender for the best energy supplement out there. 
  • Core Med Science Liposomal Curcumin: Core Med Science stands out through its lineup of liposomal supplements for superior absorption. Each serving (2 capsules) of Liposomal Curcumin provides 500mg of curcumin in liposomal form for optimal absorption and effectiveness. Curcumin is a powerful compound that helps combat inflammation and oxidative stress, in turn supporting a healthy heart, brain, joints, skin, and overall wellness. 

Back to school can be a stressful time of year. But with the right diet and lifestyle, a healthy mindset, and supportive supplements, you can experience reduced stress and greater energy throughout the year. And that means more energy to support your little ones to be the very best they can be!

FAQ

What are the best vitamins for energy?

The best vitamins for energy are generally B-complex vitamins, since these help convert the food you eat into energy. But many other vitamins and nutrients help with energy too, like vitamin D, magnesium, and iron. 

What is the best energy supplement?

It’s truly impossible to call one supplement the best for energy. It depends on your needs, goals, and many other factors. You can take a look at our list above for a great starting point to find an energy supplement for your situation. 

What causes low energy?

Low energy and fatigue can be caused by many things, including lack of sleep, high stress, poor nutrition, inflammation, and poorer health in general. 

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Doctor

Medically reviewed by Dr. Jamy Antoine, D.C. — by Jack Cincotta — On July 29, 2025

Doctor

Jack Cincotta

Jack Cincotta is a board-certified holistic health practitioner through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP), and holds a Master of Science degree in Psychology. This combined background allows him to focus his holistic health practice on mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, although he is well-versed in overall wellness optimization too. Jack is also a freelance writer for various health and wellness websites, in which he writes research-backed health and wellness articles to help others live a healthier, more balanced life.