Winter is undoubtedly a season to be loved for the snowfall, unlimited hot teacups, and fun holidays. However, the winter season can be very harsh on your body due to the limited exposure to sunlight. Also, as the days become shorter and you tend to remain indoors, your body might miss those much needed physical activities. Apart from keeping your body active, you also need to focus on your diet. Given below are a few things that you should do to keep up with your vitamin intake during this winter season.
Why do you need vitamins?
Your body performs hundreds of functions each day. From forming skin, bone, muscles, and chemicals to sending thousands of nerve signals to and from the brain, the body does it all. Vitamins, rightly said the essential nutrients of the body, act as raw materials for all these bodily functions. They repair damaged cells, heal wounds, support bones, and the immune system, and they even aid in converting food into energy. Although the body requires a small portion of these nutrients each day, the lack of these can result in a large number of diseases.
Vitamin D
The major and the most abundant source of this nutrient is sunlight. Since you get a significantly less daytime during winters, it becomes challenging to intake Vitamin D. However, it is crucial for the strengthening of bones and the absorption of various metabolic products like calcium. You can intake this essential nutrient by basking in mid-day sun for around 15 minutes every day. Scoopempire.com can guide you about the right amounts of nutrients that your body needs.
- Deficiency diseases: Osteomalacia, Rickets
- Major sources: Sunlight, mushrooms, butter, milk
Vitamin C
This nutrient plays a significant role in maintaining your body healthy during winters. It strengthens the immune system and thus making your body less susceptible to the most common diseases during winters like cold and flu. A lot of foods rich in Vitamin C are scarce during the winter season. Therefore, you must arrange for a balanced diet.
- Deficiency diseases: Scurvy, Crohn’s disease
- Major sources: Potatoes, tomatoes, leafy vegetables, citrus fruits
Vitamin A
Vital for the growth and development of your body, Vitamin A plays a crucial role in strengthening immunity and maintaining good eyesight. Sufficient amounts of this nutrient can help you get that inner glow on your skin and a good sparkle in your eyes.
- Deficiency diseases: Night blindness, Xerophthalmia
- Major sources: Carrots, milk, tomatoes, apricots, green leafy vegetables
Vitamin E
It is a compound that is mostly synthesized by plants. It acts as an antioxidant and protects cells from oxidative damage. Winters tend to make your skin dry and flaky. That is when vitamin E comes at your rescue, as this is the nutrient essential for keeping the skin soft and supple. You can mix some amount of oils rich in this nutrient like almond oil in your body lotion to feed the magic into your body.
- Deficiency diseases: Chronic pancreatitis, Cystic fibrosis
- Major sources: Almonds, peanuts, avocados, oils, and seeds.
