There are plenty of ways you can keep up vitamin A levels

Five vitamins and supplements everyone should take during winter

Experts have shared the best vitamins and supplements to boost your immunity in winter

06 Dec 2023, 05:30 by Elle May Rice · Liverpool Echo

Five vitamins and supplements everyone should take during winter

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Winter is in full swing and many of us have already fallen victim to the inevitable seasonal cold.

With runny noses and sore throats, it’s not uncommon to feel a lack of energy and motivation. However, there are a number of things you can do to boost your immunity during the season.

Wellness experts at Vegetology have revealed the supplements you should be taking to boost your mood and immunity and keep you safe from illnesses this winter. Always check with your GP before starting any supplements, especially if you are already taking medication.

Vitamins to take during winter

Vitamin C: boosts immunity

Vitamin C is widely known for its ability to support our immune system, as well as having many other benefits; not only is it an antioxidant, but it can also help to prevent and alleviate inflammation.

People who take vitamin C can expect to be ill for a shorter time period, as well as experiencing milder symptoms. It plays a vital role in the production of antibodies that fight infection, therefore allowing your immune system to function as normal, even when it is compromised by things like the common cold.

Vitamin D: improves well-being

Vitamin D, known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’, is crucial to our health and wellbeing. During the winter we see much less sun and are at risk of vitamin D deficiency.

It is important to make sure our bodies are getting enough vitamin D, as many people have improved well-being and energy levels as a result. Vitamin D is also essential in maintaining normal function of the immune system and blood calcium levels, which is important to keep our bones, teeth and muscles healthy.

Magnesium: fights fatigue

Magnesium is essential to the human body for many different reasons, including production of ATP – this is the primary energy in our cells and is crucial for energy metabolism. As well as this, an insufficient amount of magnesium may worsen that feeling of fatigue that you have.

Magnesium is also filled with antioxidant properties, which means it can help protect your cells from damage and keep up your body’s defences.

Vitamin B: boosts energy

Vitamin B12 is another vitamin that can help boost our energy levels and make us feel revitalised. It is directly linked to metabolism and is essential in the process that converts food into energy.

It also supports our nervous and digestive systems while keeping our blood cells healthy. A deficiency in vitamin B12 can cause symptoms like fatigue, feeling faint, breathlessness, and headaches.

Omega 3: helps improve mood

Omega 3 is essential to our overall health, but particularly to our brain. It helps with focus, cognitive function, and brain cell regeneration.

Travelling to and from work in the dark and seeing less sunlight during the day causes many people to feel low in mood. Providing our bodies with sufficient omega 3 can help tackle this, being known to improve emotional state and help fight the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Chris Smith, founder of Vegetology, said: "It is common for people to feel like winter is getting the better of them and to feel lower in energy and mood.

"Although no vitamin is a cure for this, it has been shown that a lack in certain vitamins can cause this to worsen. So, it is incredibly important to make sure we are looking after our bodies, especially at this time of year."

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