The first official day of Winter (in the northern hemisphere) is not until Wednesday, December 21st, which let’s face it, will be here before we know it! As with any changing of seasons our bodies change too, including what they need to stay healthy. By boosting your immune system with vitamins like Vitamin C, D, B, A, Rhodiola, and Probiotics, you feel better inside and out.
Here’s what you need to know about each, plus supplements to help you all winter long.
Vitamin C
Benefits: This free radical-fighting nutrient is used to form blood vessels, cartilage, muscle, and collagen in bones. Plus, it’s crucial to your body’s healing process.
Food Sources:
Oranges, kiwi, lemon, grapefruit, strawberries, tomatoes, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and white potatoes all offer Vitamin C
Vitamin C is helpful in supporting drier skin and protecting against colds and viruses which are more prevalent in winter months.
Vitamin D
Benefits: Want strong bones and teeth? Your body needs it to absorb calcium. Furthermore, it helps support immune health, muscle function, and brain cell activity, thanks to its antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties.
Food sources: Fortified milk, eggs, and fatty fish, like salmon and mackerel.
While not naturally found in many foods, vitamin D can be made in the body from direct sunlight. In winter months the production of the vitamin can lessen or even be diminished completely.
Vitamin B
Benefits: Crucial for maintaining good health and well-being, vitamin B plays an important role in energy levels, brain function, and even metabolism. In addition, the Vitamin B complex (the sum of the 8 types of B vitamins) is useful in supporting cell health, digestion, proper nerve function, cardiovascular health, muscle tone, and more.
Food Sources: Salmon, leafy greens, organ meats like liver and kidney, eggs, legumes, beef, chicken, beef, oysters, and clams are just some items with high vitamin B Complex.
You’ll also find Vitamin B as well as pre and probiotics in our yummy Fit and Happy shakes!
B-12 can also help with mood and energy levels which is good for winter months. And, Vitamin B6 may help your body produce melatonin.*
Vitamin A
Benefits: Vitamin A supports vision, the skin, cell division, and reproduction. Thanks to its antioxidant properties, it may also aid in the protection against free radicals.* According to Healthline, it’s known for supporting immune function, specifically, the growth and distribution of T cells which helps your body fight infection.
Food Sources: Green leafy vegetables like spinach, dairy products, liver, carrots, swiss chard, kale, winter squash, nectarines, and cantaloupe are some of the ways you can get Vitamin A.
Because Vitamin A supports immunity, it’s also helpful in the winter months.
Rhodiola
Benefits: An adaptogen, this natural substance is known to increase your body’s resistance to stress.* In addition, the herb has been used for treating anxiety, depression, and fatigue. It may also help improve brain function and exercise performance and help lower body fat.*
Also, found in MAX® Happy Coffee which is the perfect wake-me-up on those cold winter mornings, as well as Elevate Max®+ Energy Caps.
Elevate Max®+ Energy Caps offer mood elevation, appetite control, and Xtreme energy (without the crash)—so you can let the good times roll! For immune support, stress reduction, mental focus, and more, you may think of them as simply, magic.
Probiotics
Benefits: It’s the good bacteria and yeast found in the body that help keep your digestive system happy. In addition probiotics aid in helping with the body’s immune system and supporting inflammation.
Optimal Probiotic 8™ contains eight different strains of beneficial probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics. That’s 23 billion healthy bacteria, including a patented strain of bacteria called Lactobacillus Plantarum GKM3.
*These product statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
