3 Vitamin supplements for winter

Ensuring you are achieving adequate nutritional and vitamin intake is important all year round but there are a few supplements that are particular important to stock up on during the winter season.

Vitamin D

It is recommended that adults and children over the age of one should have 10 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin D every day. As these levels are difficult to achieve through diet alone experts recommend that everyone consider vitamin D supplements.  As our main source of vitamin D is from the action of sunlight on our skin, it's particularly important to supplement over the winter when exposure to sunlight is limited.
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a lowered immune system as it directly interacts with the cells that are responsible for fighting infection. Several large observational studies have shown a link between a deficiency and respiratory tract infections like colds, bronchitis and pneumonia.

Vitamin C & Zinc

For many years Vitamin C has been thought as the number one home remedy for keeping colds at bay. However, research within the last decade has found that taking vitamin C everyday does not reduce a person’s risk of getting one, but it does lessen the severity of a cold's symptoms and shorten the duration of the illness. Therefore getting sufficient amounts of the vitamin is particularly important during winter when there is a spike in people suffering a cold.
Zinc also has a role in reducing the duration and severity of a cold – taking zinc soon after the onset of symptoms of the common cold significantly reduces both the duration and severity of symptoms.

Vitamin B

The B vitamins are a group of 8 vitamins sometimes called the “anti-stress vitamins” since they’re essential for combating the effects of stress. They are used to create the feel-good neurotransmitters responsible for maintaining a positive mood as well as being critical for a healthy nervous system.
The role of vitamin B12 in particular, could help us during the colder months as it has been shown to help those suffering from feelings of anxiety or depression. This is particular important during winter when people are more at risk of feelings of depression, winter blues or seasonal affective disorder (SAD). 
 

Sources: Just Vitamins