Vitamins and tiredness: what the authorised claims mean

Tiredness in everyday life: many possible reasons

Tiredness often has several causes. Too little sleep, a full schedule, little exercise in the fresh air or irregular meals often play a part together. A varied diet is the basis for your supply of vitamins and minerals. A food supplement can supplement this diet, but cannot replace it.

In addition, tiredness and fatigue are difficult to measure in everyday life. Some people feel exhausted after a long working day, others after a restless night. It is therefore always worth looking at your own habits first: how regularly do you eat, how much do you drink, how much time is left for exercise and recovery?

The limits are also important: if you feel exhausted over a longer period, have the cause checked by a doctor. A food supplement replaces neither a diagnosis nor treatment.

What lies behind an authorised claim

In the EU, health claims about vitamins and minerals are governed by Regulation (EU) No 432/2012. It lays down precisely for each nutrient which claim is permitted and how it is worded. One condition is that a daily serving supplies at least 15% of the nutrient reference value (NRV). The wording must not be embellished. That is why you always read the same, somewhat cumbersome sentences in reputable texts.

There are no authorised claims on tiredness for plant extracts such as green tea, turmeric or ashwagandha, or for substances such as coenzyme Q10. You can read more about this in the guide on turmeric, green tea and saffron.

Five nutrients with a claim on tiredness and fatigue

In Vita Energy Complex for women, five nutrients meet the condition for a claim on tiredness and fatigue. The amounts apply to 3 capsules.

Nutrient	Amount per daily serving	NRV
Vitamin C	60 mg	75%
Vitamin B6	4.2 mg	300%
Folic acid	200 µg	100%
Vitamin B12	9 µg	360%
Iron	7 mg	50%

Vitamin C contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Vitamin B6 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Folate contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Vitamin B12 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Iron contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

Energy metabolism, nerves and mind

In addition to the claim on tiredness, there are further authorised claims for these nutrients. Here too, each sentence stands on its own.

Energy metabolism

Vitamin C contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. Vitamin B6 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. Vitamin B12 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. Iron contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. Manganese contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. Manganese is contained at 2 mg per daily serving, which is 100% of the reference value.

Nervous system and psychological function

Vitamin C contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system. Vitamin B6 contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system. Vitamin B12 contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system. Vitamin B6 contributes to normal psychological function. Vitamin B12 contributes to normal psychological function. Folate contributes to normal psychological function.

What do 300% and 360% NRV mean?

The nutrient reference value is a benchmark for the labelling of foods. The percentage shows how much a daily serving provides in relation to this value. In Energy Complex for women, it is 4.2 mg (300%) for vitamin B6 and 9 µg (360%) for vitamin B12. These are statements of quantity, not quality levels. More does not automatically help more. You should therefore stick to the recommended daily amount of 3 capsules and not exceed it.

If you take other food supplements containing B vitamins, add up the amounts. If you have any questions, your pharmacy can help.

How to recognise reputable information

Many products advertise with big words when it comes to tiredness. With a few questions, you can assess the information on packs and websites yourself:

• Amount per daily serving: Is every nutrient listed in the table with its amount and percentage of the reference value?
• Condition met: Does the daily serving supply at least 15% of the reference value? Only then is a claim for this nutrient permitted.
• Wording: Authorised claims are always worded the same way. Promises such as more power or new energy are not among them.
• Plant substances: Is an effect attributed to an extract? There are no authorised claims for plant extracts.
• Notes: Are the recommended intake, maximum amount and warnings clearly stated?

With Energy Complex for women, you can find all 27 ingredients with their amounts in the nutrition table. This allows you to read up on the formula yourself and compare it with other products.

How to fit taking it into your everyday life

Take 3 capsules daily with a glass of water with a meal, for example at breakfast or lunch. Not on an empty stomach, not during a strict low-calorie diet and not at the same time as other products based on green tea. The manufacturer recommends courses of at least 60 days. Regularity is more important than the time of day.

Iron, folate and vitamin B12 have further authorised claims, for example relating to blood formation. We present these in the guide on iron, folate and vitamin B12. You can find more products relating to energy under Energy and immune system.