What your body Needs different Nutrients during Winter!!!

• Winter is usually the coldest time of year and in some places, it brings freezing temperatures, snow, and ice with it. 

• Even places that don't get snow or freezing cold weather still have a winter season. 

• At this time of the year, your body needs to work overtime to keep you healthy because the winter season comes with a lot of diseases that directly affect our immune system causing harm to our body. 

• In winter, staying active and breathing fresh air as much as you can it and we should focus on some specific nutrients that will balance the effects of winter on the body.

Here are 7 nutrients your body needs during winter:

1) Iron
2) Folate/ Folic Acid
3) Vitamin C
4) Vitamin D
5) Vitamin E
6) Vitamin B-12
7) Zinc

1) Iron: 

• Iron help keep your immune system strong during cold and flu season.

• Iron helps with keeping your energy high despite the shorter days and decreased physical activity.

• It also helps to carry oxygen throughout the rest of your body, wholesome all your organs so they’ll continue to be working optimally.

Good sources of Iron:

• Shellfish

• Dark chocolate

• Lentil 

• Spinach 

• Organ meats 

• Soybeans 

• Quinoa

• White beans etc.

2) Folate/ Folic Acid:

• This is a good nutrient and is naturally found in foods. 

• Folic acid is the synthetic version of the nutrient only and it is not as bioavailable. 

• It can also play a vital role for prevent diabetes, heart disease, certain forms of cancer, and it supports healthy cells growth. 

• Folic acid is a good nutrient to help you beat the winter blues.

Good sources of folate/ folic acid:

• Broccoli

• Brussels sprouts

• Chickpeas and kidney beans

• Peas

• Leafy green vegetables, such as cabbage, kale, spring greens and spinach

• Leafy greens, oatmeal, sunflower seeds, oranges etc.

3) Vitamin C:

• Vitamin C is widely known as to boost the immune system and it protects the immune system. Specially vitamin C helpful in preventing cold, flu and sinus infections on during winter months. 

• While also helping our body detoxification, an essential protein for healthy skin, maintaining bones and teeth, and healing wounds. 

• Vitamin C is an essential nutrient involved in the repair of tissue, the formation of collagen, and the enzymatic production of certain neurotransmitters.

Good sources of vitamin C:

• Blackcurrants

• Broccoli

• Brussels sprouts

• Citrus fruit, such as oranges and orange juice

• Peppers

• Potatoes

• Strawberries etc.

4) Vitamin D:

• In the winter, humans are exposed to more infections due to spend very less time outside. 

• Vitamin D deficiency is high in winter because of reduced exposure to sunlight. 

• People who have dark skin or avoid sunshine should eat more vitamin D on during winter. Everyone should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the winter. 

• Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. 

• Vitamin D is often referred to as “the sunshine vitamin” because the sun is one of the best sources of this nutrient.

Good sources of vitamin D:

• Egg

• Tuna Fish

• Mushroom 

• Milk 

• Soy

• Cheese, 

• Chicken breast 

• Red meat etc.

5) Vitamin E:

• Cold temperatures often mean low humidity levels which can strip your skin of much-needed moisture. This leaves skin dry, flaky, and itchy. 

• Vitamin E deficiency is rare, it is a vital component to your health- specifically your skin health. 

• Vitamin E helps to moisturize your skin thus preventing dryness and it has a natural antioxidant property. 

• However, vitamin E is not like just good for your skin as it can also help your circulation, preventing platelets from sticking to the blood vessel walls.

Good sources of vitamin E:

• Almonds

• Beet greens, collard greens, spinach

• Mango

• Peanuts, peanut butter

• Pumpkin

• Red bell pepper

• Sunflower, safflower, and soybean oil

• Sunflower seeds

• Wheat germ oil etc.

6) Vitamin B-12:

• Vitamin B12 is generally helping the body seems like release energy from food, make red blood cells and keeping the nervous system healthy. 

• Vitamin B12 is vital for producing chemicals in the brain that affect mood during winter seasons.

Good sources of vitamin B-12:

• Clams

• Oysters 

• Wild salmon 

• Fish

• Eggs

• Meat

• Cottage Cheese

• Yogurt

• Milk etc.

7) Zinc:

• Zinc is a powerful immune booster, and it majorly acts as an antioxidant in the body. 

• Zinc acts as an antioxidant in the body, fighting free radical damage, helping repair tissue, balancing hormones, and supporting healthy immunity and digestion. 

• Zinc also works to balance your hormones, is crucial for your blood vessels and even plays a vital role in the synthesis of protein and the breakdown of carbohydrates. 

• Zinc ensures the healthy development and growth of a fetus. 

• It is the secret for healthy skin and hair. 

• Zinc deficiency is directly related to decreased immunity, hair loss, fragile nails and memory loss etc.

Good sources of Zinc:

• Seeds 

• Nuts 

• Eggs 

• Dairy 

• Whole grains 

• Dark Chocolate etc.

*** Thankyou ***