At any given time of the year, it’s important to get all of your essential vitamins and nutrients each day. The best way to do that is through the foods you eat, which is why it is so important to have a healthy and balanced diet. But, when you lead a busy lifestyle or just can’t get the right foods each day, that’s when a supplement may be able to help you get what you need.
As the days start to get longer and the weather starts to get warmer, we know that Spring is upon us! Before the lovely Spring weather hits us, now is a great time to get your vitamins in check. Supplements and vitamins can take some time to kick in. Depending on your own nutritional deficiencies (if any) it can take anywhere between six weeks to three months to correct a deficiency. So, even though we’re still in Winter, now is a good time to get started so that your body is ready for Spring.
As mentioned, it’s important that you have all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals you need each day. For Spring, here are three vitamins and minerals to take note of. If you’re unsure of your personal vitamin needs, always check with your doctor before taking any new supplements.
Vitamin B
One of the most important vitamins for your body is Vitamin B. Preventive care, improving and maintaining your energy levels as well as dealing with stress can be helped with B vitamins. These vitamins will help your body to perform a wide number of functions. Vitamin B1, B2 and B3 help to release energy from the food that you intake, they can help to keep your nervous system healthy and they also help to maintain healthy vision and skin. During springtime, you are more likely to be outside in the sun so these vitamins will help to protect your skin and body from damage outside during the warmer months. It’s also important to make sure you have the correct level of vitamin B in your body during Spring because several of these vitamins are lost through sweat. And of course, you are more likely to sweat during the heat. If you are unsure of whether you are lacking in vitamin B, have a chat with your doctor today.
Vitamin D
Most people know vitamin D as the vitamin that you get from the sun. But, there are also a number of foods that will help increase your vitamin D levels. There are a number of different reasons why you need to ensure that you have the right level of vitamin D in your body. Vitamin D helps to maintain healthy bones, muscles and improve dental health. Although you may be going out in the sun a little more during the Spring months, the weather can also be unpredictable. If you’re not getting sufficient levels of sunshine for vitamin D production in the Spring months, supplementing your diet with a vitamin D supplement or multivitamin might be a good option for you. However, it’s important to note that too much vitamin D is not healthy for you. This is why it’s important to have a chat with your doctor about any concerns about any vitamin D deficiencies you might have.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E has many benefits for your body. If you find yourself more physically active in the warmer months, they might be a good option to include into your daily routine. Vitamin E can help improve physical endurance because it is known for increasing your energy levels. If you’re working out, vitamin E can also help to reduce muscle damage from your exercise. If you find yourself spending more time in the sun, vitamin E is an antioxidant that may help to delay any damage to your skin cells from sun damage. Because we find ourselves more active in the summer and getting out and about outdoors often, vitamin E is a great vitamin to include in your multivitamin intake. Vitamin A can also be found in sunflower seeds, almonds, sunflower oil, hazelnuts, pine nuts, peanuts, avocado, and mangoes. There are also animal-based foods that contain good sources of vitamin A such as Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout, octopus and lobster.
If you are not sure about the types of vitamins and minerals you need for your own personal health, it’s always a good idea to have a chat with a health professional. They will be able to have a complete look at your health and determine whether you are in need of any multivitamins each day. Have a chat with a doctor and get started on improving your health to get ready for the warmer months.