'One supplement added to diet stopped my afternoon tiredness and brain fog'

Most people will feel their energy levels going down in the afternoon. For me, it didn't matter if I was working or had the day off, but I would start to struggle focusing on what I was doing and instead be desperate for a nap.

Having an office job, I spend most of my workdays sitting at my desk in front of my computer. While this may not sound like a tiring job, it's often mentally draining. I always make sure to go outside for walks and schedule in time for the gym and spending time away from any screens, I still found myself ready to go to bed by the afternoon, which often resulted in me reaching for caffeine or sugar for a boost of energy.

I quickly realised this wasn't a good long-term solution and started researching ways to keep my energy levels up through to the end of the day, or at least until the end of my work day.

From making sure I go to bed early and getting a good night's sleep to eating healthily and going to the gym several times a week, my overall energy did improve. I even went on to ask my GP for a blood check to make sure everything looked good. However, I still had my big dips in the afternoon that often left me unable to focus at what I was doing.

One day as I was expressing my frustrations about the matter to my parents, my dad went on to say that he had been experiencing the same thing, and began taking a supplement which had helped prevent these energy dips.

But as he told me he was taking creatine, my thoughts immediately went to the stereotype that it's a supplement only bodybuilders and people who want to build muscle take. But after doing my own research, I realised just how wrong I was.

Creatine is one of the most well-researched supplements in the world, and people often don't realise just how many benefits that can come from taking it.

Creatine is a vital chemical ingredient in our bodies, where it is produced naturally within the liver, kidneys and pancreas and stored in our muscles and brains. The creatine we produce typically isn't enough for our total requirements on its own, so most people also rely on sources in their diet – certain foods, such as meat and oily fish, are rich in this nutrient.

It helps to manage the energy available to our cells and tissues, and there's emerging evidence that some people might benefit from creatine supplementation.

From reducing post-viral fatigue to improving cognitive function in people who are stressed, and even boosting memory, creatine supplements may provide some people with a significant cognitive boost. It's also been speculated that creatine might help to alleviate symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease and improve mood.

Studies have also shown a range of other potential health benefits of creatine, including stopping the progress of tumours in some animal studies, and improving menopause symptoms.

Creatine may also have benefits to our mental health. In one study, people with depression were given creatine powder alongside a course of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). The researchers found that, over eight weeks, their symptoms improved more than those who had CBT without creatine.

So as you can see, creatine comes with a long list of benefits, so I decided to try it. I bought a package and now mix the dosage with a glass of water every morning, and within a week, I noticed I can now go through my whole work day without feeling like I need a nap.

I've also noticed I don't experience brain fog as much anymore either, which has been another unexpected benefit of the supplement.

Always talk to your GP if you're experience excessive tiredness, and ask for a consultation before starting a new supplement.