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6 Vitamins and Minerals Your Body Needs More of in Winter

There are two types of people: those who love winter, and those who try but can’t understand the first group. Whichever category you proudly occupy, the harsh reality still stands that winter is the time of the year when all kinds of nasties can befall you, including the flu and the common cold, among other.

In order to stay healthy in mind, body, and spirit during the winter months, and especially if you’re busy and working hard, you will need to optimize your diet and even supplement your nutrition with some essential vitamins and minerals. Here are the six micronutrients your body desperately needs in winter.

Vitamin C is Your Foundation

Vitamin C

You’ve been hearing it ever since you were a young earthling—an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But a lemon a day, well, a lemon a day might just boost your immune system into overdrive and help you fight off every nasty pathogen that even dares come close.

Vitamin C is an essential vitamin most people don’t get enough of during the year, and especially during the cold winter months. It’s especially good for fighting the flu and the common cold, it nourishes the skin, and it can help you beat the winter blues as well.

Iron for Proper Organ Functioning

Iron is such an important mineral for your overall health, that a deficiency can cause serious long-term illnesses including anemia, muscle atrophy, depression, and many more. Needless to say, come winter, your medicine cabinet best be stocked up with this important mineral.

Among numerous health benefits, iron will up your energy levels, boost your brain activity and mental clarity, and allow your organs to function at 100% by supplying your entire body with fresh, oxygenated blood.

Vitamin D for Energy and Vigor

Everyone knows that vitamin D is extremely important for a myriad of bodily processes, regulating everything from your mood to your energy levels, and even safeguarding your immune system by helping your body metabolize healthy nutrients and promoting cell development.

However, it can be quite difficult to obtain adequate levels of vitamin D during winter because of the limited sun exposure. You can counteract this by taking supplements daily, but do make sure you find quality vitamins online from a trustworthy retailer in order to get the maximum benefits. Remember, most people are vitamin D deficient year-round, a state that becomes excessive during the winter months, so don’t let this tiny problem ruin your winter spirit.

Zinc for Long-term Health and Energy

You might not have been aware of this, but zinc is one of the main guardian angels of your immune system, suppressing the growth of free radicals in the body by acting as a powerful antioxidant. The mineral also helps in tissue repair and growth while also balancing hormone production, which is essential in a myriad of daily processes.

If you don’t get enough zinc in your diet, you are highly likely to feel fatigued, foggy, and sluggish, and even lose sleep on a regular basis.

Folate for Beating the Winter Blues

Beat the winter blues

You might have heard of folate or folic acid, or you might have heard of vitamin B6 – they are the same thing. And what a powerful and essential vitamin it is! While it is commonly found in citrus fruits, dark leafy greens, beans and lentils etc., if you don’t have a diversified diet, you might miss out on its healthful properties.

Folate acts as a strong mood regulator, allowing you to feel energized, positive, and downright happy even when the weather is miserable. Additionally, it helps in preventing numerous illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease, and even certain forms of cancer.

Vitamin A for a Radiant Glow

Iron deficiency can lead to numerous problems, and vitamin A deficiency is one of them. Vitamin A plays a vital role in maintaining your immune system, but more importantly for this particular vitamin, it helps in preserving your vision, healthy neurological function, a radiant, youthful glow, and much more. As a strong antioxidant, vitamin A does an excellent job fighting free radical damage as well.

Conclusion

Winter is well underway, and now is the time to take the necessary steps to safeguard your health and enjoy the snowy weather in all its glory. Be sure to take in plenty of these essential vitamins and minerals and you will have an easy time making this winter season the best winter of your life.



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