Three of the best food supplements for the tired and cranky

Have you ever had an eight hour snooze, but woken up in the morning feeling like you've barely slept a wink? Or rocked up to the office in the morning and got the urge for a shot of caffeine just to get through the next few hours? Or that three o'clock slump, where time seems to go slower than a slug stuck in treacle? Yes? You're not alone.

Our lives are getting more and more demandng, and with smartphones making our work and social lives more accessible than ever, it's fair to say we're being kept awake, and busier than ever.

At the end of an eight hour day at work (if you're lucky enough to have one of those rare jobs you start at 9 and finish at 5) the last thing we want is to start cooking a meal filled with every single vitamin and mineral our bodies need.

So how are we meant to have varied diets and include those all-important five a day, when we barely have the energy to make a cuppa before hitting the sack?

Well, over the course of a few months, we've trialled loads and loads of different vitamin, mineral and food supplement options, and picked our favourites. So if you feel more sluggish than sprightly, these are definitely worth a go.

For those who just can't concentrate

I'm one of those people who'll hear a name and then three seconds later forget it. Could it just be down to a bad memory? Possibly. But research shows even modest levels of iron deficiency may have a negative impact on cognitive function in women. The lower iron levels, the greater the chance of memory and attention span difficulties. Which makes a lot of sense in my case as I barely have any iron in my diet. Not only that, iron can be difficult to absorb from food, and traditional tablets can leave you with really painful and disgusting side effects (trust me on this one. Just, trust me).

So, for those who think they need an iron boost Spatone Apple could be great. It contains Vitamin C to aid iron absorption, and water sourced from the Welsh mountains of Snowdonia National Park. And of everything I tried to combat fatigue and memory problems, this seemed to work the best. It has a very, very metallic taste and isn't exactly pleasant to drink. But oh my goodness the downsides are far, far outweighed by the benefits. After two weeks I felt far more energetic and active.

I stopped taking them for a week to check it wasn't just a placebo effect. And on day seven of my iron-free week I'm definitely feeling sluggish, tired and just a bit meh. This is one I'll definitely be carrying on.

Available from Boots, £9.95 for 28 sachets (4 weeks supply).

For those who live for the weekend

I'm all about a good time. And a glass of wine, a g&t or a super cocktail can turn a good time into a great time. And with the pub on Thursday nights, a bar on Fridays, drinks with the girsl on Saturday and a relaxing glass of rose on a Sunday, it can leave you flagging by Monday morning.

I don't need to tell you that alcohol puts a real strain on the body and has a damaging effect on the liver (even though I just did, but never mind). Healthcare professionals recommend us all to cut out all alcohol for at least three days whenever possible, especially if you're starting to feel the negative effects of alcohol.

During the detox, taking milk thistle - which contains a strong antioxidant known as Silymarin - has been shown to prevent toxins from entering the liver, giving it a well-deserved break. More research is needed to confirm if it can repair a seriously damaged liver, but it has been shown to prevent damage, which is good.

You can buy it from Boots, £9.99 for 30 capsules.

For those who need a tailor-made option

Our lives are never simple. It could be we're studying for exams, have a hot date lined up or can't seem to shift a cold that seems to linger on and on and on. Stresses and strains can cause us to feel less than perfect. But who has time to figure out what exactly Vitamin B12 does that B2 doesn't? And can you even take Vitamin A with Vitamin C? I know I'm far, far too busy to start worrying about the best combinations.

Boost Buddy's found a gap in the market and is aimed specifically at young adults with busy lives. You don't even have to head to the local pharmacy, as your vitamin combinations are delivered straight to their door. And you have control, picking the selection that suits your lifestyle, from Shine for healthy, hair skin and nails, to Supple to ensure joints stay supple, Grow for muscle repair and Heart for healthy heart function. There are also pre-made packs such as The Study Pack and Heart and Soul pack. And you'll never be at the risk of overdosing on them as they're designed to be taken together. Safe, easy, simple.

I tried three packs, each containing four chambers with enough vitamins for a week. Although I only tried them out for seven days, I felt much better knowing I was getting everything my body needed even if my diet was lacking the fruit and veg required for a healthy lifestyle. It's a really cheap and convenient option for those of us who lack time, and covers all the basics.

All packs of 28 vitamins cost £7. Visit Boost Buddy to order your selection.

Of course, these are food supplements. So don't go thinking you can forego your lunch and pop a few pills, because you risk damaging your body.