Vitamin deficiency in winter?
Too little sunlight, post-holiday fatigue, our immune system in standby mode… Our bodies take quite a beating in the winter. To be better prepared for this, it can be beneficial to adjust your diet to ensure you get enough nutrients. If you have a deficiency in vitamins and other minerals, however, dietary supplements may also be recommended to meet your needs.
Our needs evolve with the seasons. In winter, when the days are shorter, more germs are circulating, and we eat less healthily—with many festive meals and the raclette grill back on the table—our bodies can become deficient in certain vitamins and other minerals. We may especially need extra vitamins D and C, magnesium, selenium, and zinc.
Vitamin D and a lack of sunlight
The body produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, but in winter, this sometimes happens too little because the days are shorter. However, this vitamin is important for healthy bones and an immune system that is optimally resistant to the cold.
Sometimes it is difficult to get enough vitamin D through our diet. In that case, a supplement may be advisable. Don't hesitate to talk about it with a healthcare professional.1
Adapting your diet to the season is important to be better prepared against external threats
Vitamin C to strengthen the immune system
Vitamin C not only has an antioxidant effect but is also known to strengthen the immune system, which is especially important in winter. However, this vitamin is not produced by our body, but it is found in many foods, such as citrus fruits, peppers, strawberries… Discover all the health benefits of vitamin C on our blog: “How does vitamin C contribute to our immunity?”2
Zinc, essential for the proper functioning of the body
If you suffer from a food intolerance, you will experience increasingly more discomfort the more often you eat the offending food. To prevent these discomforts, it is best not to put trigger foods on your plate. But it is not always easy to eliminate foods that cause intolerance from your meals, e.g., when dining out or traveling.
Fortunately, you can take preventive measures to enjoy food without stress and to avoid unpleasant reactions. For example, if you are lactose intolerant, you can take lactase enzyme tablets to help digest the milk sugar.2
Magnesium, to stay fit in winter!
Magnesium is an essential mineral salt with many health benefits. It can help with the winter blues, promotes a good night's sleep, ensures you feel less lethargic, and is good for your muscles. Nuts, whole grains, soy, and green vegetables are rich in magnesium.4,5
Scientific references
Product mentioned in this article
Selenium-ACE+D+ZN
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