 Image credit: Stevepb from Pixabay During winter, it is common to come down with common illnesses. From Seasonal affective disorder to colds and flu, not to mention COVID 19, there is plenty to worry about when it comes to not getting ill this winter. Vitamins and supplements have been taken for years to combat different ailments, but how can you support yourself holistically during winter? Things have come much further from the chewy multivitamins consumed sweet-like and force-fed to children when they are ill. There are thousands of vitamins out there, but in this post, you will learn what the best vitamins are to support your health during winter.
1) Vitamin D The first and most critical supplement to take during the winter is Vitamin D. Vitamin D is vital to the body as it regulates the amount of calcium and phosphorus, contributing to a normal and healthy immune system. Usually, we get this naturally in summer when our body absorbs sunlight; however, this is much more difficult to attain in winter. This is because we are inside more due to the cold, the days are shorter and working from home is becoming more and more frequent. This means sometimes we don’t have sunlight touching our skin for days! That’s why it is important that we take vitamin D supplements during winter. If you are on a budget, grab any old Vitamin D tablets, but buy a Vitamin D spray for better absorption. The spray is absorbed through the lining of your mouth and provides a more instant boost of Vitamin D to the body. It will help fight diseases, reduce depression, and boosts your metabolism. What’s not to love? 2) Vitamin B12 Those outside of the vegan community often overlook the next vitamin on the list. Vitamin B12 helps to convert glucose into usable energy in the body, meaning added B12 gives the body more energy. This is especially important during winter, as we can feel sluggish due to the lack of fresh air. This vitamin will be essential if you struggle with seasonal depression, as it will give you more energy to help beat the winter blues. This vitamin will also boost your immune system too, as it gives you more energy to fight off infections and any colds and illnesses that come your way. Regardless of what activity you are doing, from making sure you have your van fleet insurance or exercising in the park, you will need B12 to get you through. You can also get this naturally through red meats, and leafy greens, so don’t forget to up your intake of these during winter! 3) Iron The final vitamin you should be taking religiously during winter is iron. Iron is essential during winter as it can help you regulate your body temperature. Lack of iron can also cause many problems, from brittle nails to headaches and, in more extreme cases, fainting. It is best to take iron supplements in liquid form, especially if you are vegetarian, as it absorbs more easily into your bloodstream. Take one when you’re feeling cold, and maybe that’s the root of the problem.
0 Comments
 Image credit: Michele Blackwell from Unsplash What Does Vitamin D Actually Do?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble that is naturally present in certain foods and is also produced when ultraviolet rays from sunlight land on the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis. The body producing vitamin D in response to sun exposure is why vitamin D is nicknamed the “sunshine vitamin”. Vitamin D has many important functions in the body, including maintaining healthy bones and teeth through calcium absorption, promoting bone growth, protecting against diseases and conditions, and reducing inflammation. Vitamin D and Depression Research has connected a link between people with depression and vitamin D deficiency. Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide and spikes in colder months, known as seasonal affective disorder. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is not considered a separate condition, but a type of depression with a seasonal pattern. Weather affects people’s moods. Dull, cold, rainy days make us feel gloomy and unmotivated, while sunlight breaking through the clouds can lift our spirits and give us a little feeling of hope. In fact, the vitamin D receptors in our brain are in the same locations in the brain associated with depression (i.e. the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, cingulate gyrus, thalamus, hypothalamus, and substantia nigra) Causes of Vitamin D Deficiency Limited Sunlight Sunlight can be an individual’s primary source of vitamin D. During colder, darker months there is less access to the sun’s ultraviolet rays to trigger the vitamin d synthesis in the body. Diet There are actually very few foods that have high amounts of vitamin D. Without adding any of these foods into your diet there is a high chance that you are not getting proper amounts of vitamin D in your meals.
Older adults have an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency because the skin’s ability to synthesize vitamin D declines with age. Greater Amounts of Melanin Greater amounts of the pigment melanin in the skin reduces the skin’s ability to produce vitamin D from sun exposure. Obesity Obesity does not actually affect the body’s ability to produce vitamin D, but the higher levels of body mass and fat sequestered requires higher levels of vitamin D for the vitamin to work properly. Diseases/Conditions Since vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, conditions that affect fat absorption also affect the production of vitamin D. For example, conditions such as liver disease, cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, and Crohn’s disease all have a negative effect on vitamin D. Signs of Deficiency:
Signs of Depression:
Reach out to a doctor if you are having signs of depression. If you or anyone you know are having thoughts of suicide here are some support resources:
Solving Vitamin D DeficiencyTo treat your vitamin D deficiency the obvious answer is to increase your intake of vitamin D, but how? Ways to increase your intake are:
Helpful Tips for Combating Winter Blues If the lack of sunlight and lack of vitamin D is affecting your mental health and causing symptoms of depression, the first (and best) thing to do is always talk to a doctor and seek professional help. Outside of that, here are some self-care tips during the colder months especially that can help combat the winter blues:
All in All:Vitamin D and depression have been linked through various studies, making vitamin D essential for not only your physical health but mental health as well. Getting the proper amounts of vitamin D can be hard, especially in the colder, darker months, but making efforts to include vitamin D in your diet or through supplements will help prevent a vitamin D deficiency. The winter blues can get the best of us, but if we take care of our bodies and our minds we can make it through the gloomy days and get back to the sunshine! Remember to please seek professional advice or help if you are experiencing any symptoms of depression. This article was originally published at iveeapp.com. 
Image credit: Brittany Colette on Unsplash
We all know the feeling: waking up in the middle of the night with our sinuses congested, head pounding, and throat throbbing. Coming down with a nasty cold is definitely not an enjoyable experience, but it is something that we routinely have to deal with. Thankfully there are a plethora of over-the-counter remedies, as well as home remedies, that can help us beat a cold fast while keeping our immune system healthy along the way.
1. Hydrate or Die-drate Besides rest, staying hydrated before and during a cold is one of the most important things we can do for our bodies. A fever draws moisture from our bodies, plus the over the counter medicine we take to combat our symptoms can easily dry us out as well. Although the exact amount varies for everyone. the recommendation is to drink roughly eight 250mL cups of water per day. This will help ensure that your body is receiving the amount of water it needs. Other drinks such as decaffeinated tea or juice can help with draining the mucus from your sinuses as well. 2. Rest Up Often, the onset of a cold can be tied back to insufficient or improper sleep. Getting less than six hours of sleep on a nightly basis can have a severe impact on your immune system. Ignoring your body’s cries for sleep is something that we should avoid doing at all costs. That being said, “proper rest can boost your immune system to get you feeling better sooner. Sleep helps your body better fight infections that cause you to get sick, along with staying hydrated and taking medicine that helps with common cold symptoms.” Having a good sleep schedule gives your body more energy, control over your mood, and a profound boost to your productivity. 3. Take your vitamins and minerals Essential vitamins and minerals can have a profound effect on how your body combats being sick. Immuno-beneficial vitamins such as vitamin C and B12 can work with your immune system in expelling toxins from the body. These can be taken in either oral supplements or through IV treatment, which has quickly become a reliable method to help treat the symptoms of oncoming illness. 4. Probiotic drinks Though studies are limited, this method is thought to “modulate the immune system in healthy individuals and may help reduce symptoms related to respiratory infections.” The main ingredient in most probiotics --Lactobacillus—has been proven to lower the risk of developing cold symptoms by 12 percent and minimize sickness length from 8.6 to 6.2 days in adults. It is most beneficial for upper respiratory symptoms. You can find these drinks at any local grocery store, pharmacy, or superstore like Walmart or Target. 5. Try over the counter cold and flu medicine Over the counter (OTC) medicine can be a very beneficial way to fight off cold symptoms. But like any pharmaceutical, there are also various side effects such as drowsiness and nausea that can accompany it. It is best to stay hydrated while taking these medications as they tend to dry out your body, much like a fever would do. This could leave you feeling worse than before, but as long as you stay hydrated, this feeling shouldn’t occur. Notable cold and flu medicines include Mucinex, Tylenol, and the Nyquil/Dayquil combo. Conclusion Beating a cold can be a painstaking ordeal, but it doesn’t have to. Getting over a cold starts before you even start showing symptoms. Staying hydrated and well-rested are easy, cost-effective ways to strengthen your body and immune system. Additionally, daily vitamin supplements and probiotic drinks have been shown to strengthen your immune system and limit the severity of cold symptoms. If worse comes to worst, try over the counter (OTC) cold and flu medicine to give that cold the final blow. This article was originally published at iveeapp.com.  While aging may not be the most pleasant experience, the memories, experiences, and life lessons we learn along the way are invaluable. But what if someone told you there are ways to stop, or at least limit, the symptoms of aging. With help from specific vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, we can help rewind our body’s biological clock by replenishing valuable nutrients that we lose with age. That being said, aging is inevitable, and symptoms are almost impossible to avoid altogether. If anything, utilizing this collection of nutrients can help improve quality of life and raise bodily optimization.  What happens when we age? As we age, our body stops producing certain chemical compounds previously in excess when we were younger. Additionally, our telomeres shorten with age. Telomeres help protect the ends of our chromosomes from deteriorating. When our telomeres shorten, our body’s cells go through a negative transformation that drastically affects an individual’s health and lifespan. Shorter telomeres have been associated with an increased risk of disease and lower survival rates. Most of the symptoms related to aging are cognitive. Yes, our hair turns grey, and we start to get wrinkles, but the slow cognitive decline is the most reported and impactful result of aging. So let’s take a look at some supplements that can help reduce these effects.  1. Curcumin Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. Turmeric is a spice that comes from the turmeric root and is used mostly in Asian dishes. Curcumin is rated highly for its powerful anti-aging effects due to its antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are substances that help protect your cells against free radicals, which may play a role in heart disease, cancer, and other diseases. Additionally, this antioxidant protects our cells from cellular senescence. Cellular senescence occurs when cells stop dividing, and as we age, these cells accumulate, accelerating aging and the progression of age-related diseases. You can easily increase your curcumin intake by incorporating turmeric in dishes or by taking curcumin supplements!  2. CoQ10 Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is another antioxidant that is self-produced by your body. It is responsible for energy production and protecting cells from damage. As we age, our levels of CoQ10 begin to decline, and symptoms such as fatigue and brain fog become more and more apparent. In 2015, researchers ran an experiment to test the effects of supplemented CoQ10 in 443 older adults. The study found that supplementing CoQ10 and selenium (an element that aids metabolism) over four years improved their overall quality of life, reduced hospital visits, and slowed the deterioration of mental performance. Though CoQ10 shows the potential to be a powerful anti-aging supplement, there still needs to be more research and definitive evidence before it can be recommended as a natural way to prevent aging. Make sure to talk to a health care professional before trying it out.  3. Vitamin B12 Ah, yes, trusty vitamin B12. This keystone vitamin aids our body in numerous ways, like keeping our nerve and blood cells healthy. Vitamin B12 also helps prevent a type of anemia called megaloblastic anemia that makes people tired and weak. Aside from its “inner body benefits,” such as added energy and cognitive clarity, B12 can also aid our bodies cosmetically. It can help improve our appearance by reducing skin redness, inflammation, and dryness. It can also reduce hair breakage and help nails become stronger. Our bodies don’t produce B12 naturally, but we can obtain it through various foods like fish, eggs, and chicken. Different types of vegetables, such as mushrooms, are high in B12 as well. B12 is also available as a daily supplement and can be found at your local pharmacy or natural food store.  4. Vitamin D Weakening immune systems are a sure sign of aging. At some point, catching a common cold will have a much more significant impact than it did when we were younger. Thankfully, a new UK research study has found that Vitamin D can have a positive effect on the immune system and help offset some age-related health issues. It is also widely accepted throughout the scientific community that vitamin D compounds protect the skin against the hazardous effects of many skin aging-inducing agents, including ultraviolet (UV) radiation. You absorb vitamin D naturally through the sun’s rays, but vitamin D supplements are widely accessible at any pharmacy or vitamin shop if you want an extra boost.  5. NAD+ Treatment And last, but certainly not least, NAD+ treatment. Yes, we know this isn’t a vitamin or antioxidant, but its potential is something we cannot overlook. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, or NAD+, is one of the most potent anti-aging molecules you can put into your body. In short, NAD+ keeps your cells “young” and helps to rewind your biological clock. NAD+ treatment is relatively new on the scene. As of right now, the FDA has only given the green light for oral NAD+ supplements. However, injecting NAD+ intravenously is a very efficient way to receive the nutrient, as it allows for almost 100% bioavailability. NAD+ treatment can last anywhere from two to six hours and has been reported by some as being quite uncomfortable. Some patients have reported nausea, chest tightness, and lightheadedness. Fortunately, these symptoms are short-lived and pretty much counteracted by the treatment’s lasting impact on energy levels, mental clarity, and overall sense of rekindled youth.  Conclusion
Aging is inevitable, we all know that. As we age our body slowly stops performing at maximum efficiency and there is no way around that. These supplements and treatments are in no way the “end all be all” for aging symptoms, but what they do provide is a higher quality of life and, at the very least, help to manage current and future symptoms of aging. This article was originally published at iveeapp.com.  Binge-watching the news lately? If so, you probably have heard the coronavirus attacks the immune system. The people who are most at risk are immunocompromised. The immune system is an essential bodily function that needs to be taken care of. It is the body's primary defense mechanism against foreign organisms such as viruses and bacteria. If you're looking for other ways to boost your immune system besides getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, maybe it's time to try some vitamins! Take a look below for the best vitamins to help enhance your immune system: Vitamin A Vitamin A is integral to the development of the immune system, as well as boosting it. It also regulates cellular immune responses. This vitamin also has an antioxidant effect to help strengthen the immune system. Vitamin B Specifically, Vitamin B6, as it is vital to support your immune system by producing antibodies to help fight viruses and infections. Not only that, but this vitamin can support brain health by improving cognitive function. So yeah, treat yourself to ordering that salmon tonight, cause it's packed with this vitamin!  Vitamin C You knew this was coming, right? Obviously, we had to include this vitamin C, as it is a powerhouse when it comes to boosting your immune system! Out of all of the vitamins listed here, this is the one that you should've started taking, like yesterday. This vitamin is a powerful antioxidant that stimulates the production of white blood cells, which can help you fight off bacteria and viruses. It can also help produce antibodies, which can help fight against invading pathogens by binding themselves to foreign microbes, which helps neutralize them.  Vitamin D A deficiency in vitamin D can increase your susceptibility to infection and is linked to causing autoimmune diseases. Since we know you don't want that (especially in this pandemic), it's recommended to drink milk and get some sunshine. But when you go outside, make sure you use a facemask and stay 6 feet away from everyone else! #socialdistancing  Vitamin E What a surprise, another antioxidant! Immune cells have higher concentrations of vitamin E, all the more reason to use it to boost your immune system! A deficiency in this vitamin will cause a decrease in cellular immunity. It helps the formation of red blood cells, which can improve blood circulation as well. Think about buying foods rich in vitamin E like spinach, sunflower seeds, broccoli, and kiwi. Iron Iron, which is found in hemoglobin, is a vital substance, and about 70% of it can be found in red blood cells. Red blood cells help transfer oxygen from your lungs throughout your body, including your immune system. Without this essential function, you're going to start to feel tired and fatigued. This exhaustion will affect your immune system's ability to fight off infections.  Selenium
Selenium helps you lower the oxidative stress in your body, which can boost your immune system. A deficiency in this vitamin can harm your immune cell function and weaken the immune system's response to potential threats such as bacteria and viruses. Zinc Zinc is vital when it comes to your immune system because it keeps everything in balance. It can decrease the rate of infection by slowing down your immune system's response. This helps control inflammation that can be deadly in your immune system. You can find Zinc in a bunch of foods such as oysters, yogurt, and chickpeas. This article was originally published at iveeapp.com |
Author - ChrisAuthor, Editor, Creator of Learn Develop Live Archives
July 2022
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed