Which supplements should you take in winter?

The best vitamins for winter

Main differences between hot and cold seasons

It’s easy to be in tip-top shape in summer: it’s a time when we eat plenty of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins, and our skin gets lots of exposure to sunlight. We’re brimming with energy and vitality.

But in winter the reverse is true. We tend to eat fewer fresh fruits and vegetables and more starchy, fatty foods. So not only does our vitamin intake fall but our gut microbiota is also put under strain. And a balanced microbiota is essential for good mental health, immunity and vitality.

What’s more, we spend more time cooped up inside in winter, which affects our mood, especially as we have less exposure to daylight.

That’s why the two best vitamins to take in winter are, of course, vitamin C and vitamin D.

Benefits of vitamin C in winter

Ascorbic acid, the other name for vitamin C, plays a role in many mechanisms in the body. It supports:

• normal energy metabolism;
• normal nervous system function;
• normal psychological function;
• normal immune system function;
• reduced fatigue;
• regeneration of vitamin E in its reduced form;
• digestive absorption of iron;
• normal formation of the collagen needed for blood vessels, bones, cartilage, skin, teeth and gums to function properly;
• protection of cells against free radicals (antioxidant effect) (1-3).

Fighting oxidative stress, supporting the immune system, combatting fatigue: three excellent reasons for boosting your intake of vitamin C in winter (with, for example, Asc2P a phosphorylated ascorbate supplement, 20 times more powerful than regular vitamin C).

Vitamin D and reduced daylight

Vitamin D exists in two forms:

• vitamin D2, ergocalciferol, produced by plants;
• vitamin D3, cholecalciferol, from animal sources, which is the form naturally produced by our skin on exposure to UVB rays.

Essential to health, vitamin D is involved in the differentiation and activity of immune system cells, as well as hormone regulation (4-6).

Specifically, vitamin D biosynthesis is initiated primarily in the skin where UVB rays react with 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D in the skin) to produce pre-vitamin D3, which is isomerised to cholecalciferol (or vitamin D3) (7).

But in winter:

• we spend much of our time cooped up inside, behind windows which block a large part of UVB;
• the ratio between UVA and UVB solar radiation varies throughout the year, with northern hemisphere populations receiving lots of UVA in winter but very little UVB (8).

So it’s particularly advantageous to supplement with vitamin D at this time of year to compensate for this low exposure to sunlight (with, for example, Vitamin D3 5000 IU, which provides a substantial dose).

The best supplement for the immune defences

Effects of winter on immune status

In winter, our immune systems are really put to the test. The cold weather induces vasoconstriction which, while improving the circulation, slightly slows down our immune response.

What’s more, a recent American study showed that the cold also triggers a decrease in production of extracellular vesicles, particles responsible for recognising viruses and stopping them multiplying (9).

Last but not least, in warming up the air entering our lungs, the body produces a lot of mucus which dries out the respiratory tract, reducing its protection and making it more permeable to viruses.

The key mineral for immunity

It’s therefore especially important to support our immune defences in winter, and in this respect, zinc appears to be the best mineral.

Long-considered unimportant because of its low concentrations in the body, zinc is actually a key trace-element, participating in more than 300 enzymatic processes:

• it helps protect cells against oxidative stress;
• it plays a role in cell division;
• it supports normal DNA synthesis;
• it contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism;
• and above all, it supports normal immune system function.

This is because zinc increases activation of B lymphocytes, which produce antibodies, and T lymphocytes, which clear infected cells, two key weapons for protecting the body against winter ills (10). Zinc is predominantly found in seafood, red meat, and at higher doses, in zinc supplements such as Zinc Orotate).

Synergy between zinc and an immunostimulant plant

Echinacea, meanwhile, is a medicinal plant widely-used by Native Americans for supporting immunity and respiratory health.

In many formulations, therefore, zinc is combined with echinacea to help ensure a problem-free winter (one such product is Immunity Booster, a combination of zinc, echinacea extract, beta-glucans and vitamin C). These synergistic formulations are generally considered to be the best possible supplements for immunity.

Winter fatigue: which supplements should you take?

Winter and energy depletion

Cold winter temperatures mean the body uses a lot of energy to stay warm - good for those trying to lose weight with minimum effort, but not so great for vitality.

So to combat winter fatigue, it may help – alongside the vitamins mentioned above – to take dietary supplements that fight fatigue and stimulate vitality.

Magnesium for fighting winter fatigue

Magnesium is one of the body’s most important minerals, along with sodium, potassium and calcium. This electrolyte is involved in over 300 metabolic reactions in the human body. It plays a particular role in nerve transmission.

Magnesium thus:

• supports electrolyte balance;
• helps to maintain normal energy metabolism;
• supports normal nervous system function;
• helps maintain normal psychological function;
• and most of all, helps to reduce fatigue (11-13).

So to combat winter fatigue, consider supplementing with magnesium (for example, the product Magnesium Orotate).

The benefits of ginseng supplements

The undisputed star of Chinese medicine, ginseng is one of the most sought-after and widely-studied medicinal plants, especially for combatting winter fatigue and lack of energy.

The plant’s numerous benefits are due to its ginsenosides. These compounds appear to act by modulating neurotransmission in the brain and increasing NK (Natural Killer) cell activity, phagocytosis and interferon production, while at the same time, improving microcirculation.

We can see that ginseng works on different aspects of health and helps maintain physiological normality, which is why the plant is considered an adaptogen.

Today, ginseng is recognised for supporting:

• immunity;
• cognitive and physical performance;
• sexual health;
• vitality (14-15).

It therefore represents a potent anti-fatigue agent perfect for the winter months (which you can find in the supplement Ginseng 30%).

Chaga, the secret ingredient used by Siberians to withstand winter ills

A mushroom that grows exclusively on birch trees, chaga has been part of the Siberian pharmacopoeia for thousands of years.

A star plant of traditional medicine in cold regions subject to particularly harsh winters that demand a lot of the body, chaga is traditionally used by the nomads of Siberia to make an invigorating tea for combatting fatigue, cold, hunger and winter ailments (16).

Chaga contains more than 200 active substances, though recent studies suggest it is its high content of beta-glucan polysaccharides which is responsible for its powerful benefits.

That’s why many herbal therapists recommend taking chaga in winter to ward off winter ills (for example, Organic Chaga Extract).