What vitamin supplements do we really need?

Life can take its toll on your body and your mind. As our lives become increasingly busy and the people and situations that we encounter demand more and more from us, it is important to ensure that we are putting the right things into our body to help it to thrive. Naturally, it is best to get as much nutrition from our food as we possibly can, but most of us could do with a little extra supplementation. But what vitamin supplements do we really need?

With a plethora of vitamins out there and many aimed at specific conditions, let’s look at the three most important vitamin supplements you should consider as a part of your basic health supplement regime.

Vitamin C

Perhaps one of the most commonly known vitamins, Vitamin C is found naturally in fruits and vegetables. Adding more Vitamin C into your diet is something that can be done easily, through the form of a digestible pill or in the form of a refreshing effervescent drink.

Vitamin C helps to support both the body’s immune system and vitality. It also helps to make you feel more energetic.

Do consider increasing your normal dose of vitamin C if you have cold or flu like symptoms. Vitamin C may not stop you from getting colds, flu, and other viruses but it has been shown to reduce symptoms and speed the recovery process. It is even suggested that high doses of vitamin C can help defeat COVID-19

We all know that Vitamin C can be found in most fruit and veg, you would need to eat quite a lot of oranges to reach the levels of Vitamin C that daily supplementation would provide!

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is one of nature’s most abundant vitamins as it comes from sunlight. However, because we now live much of our lives indoors and under the glare of artificial light, it is the vitamin that many people find themselves lacking.

Vitamin D helps to build and maintain strong muscles. It is also important for the immune system and aids the absorption of calcium; another mineral important for your bones.

According to the UK Department of Health, taking a daily vitamin D, D2 or vitamin D3 supplement – especially during the winter months when our exposure to natural sunlight is at an all-time low – will help to safeguard our intake of the vitamin.

Because of the importance of Vitamin D, and because so many people are deficient in this vitamin, during the pandemic the NHS is currently providing a 4-month supply of daily vitamin D supplements for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable. The last date for applications is Sunday 21^st February, although that may be extended

B Vitamins

Vitamin B contains a collection of 8 vitamins, all of which play vital roles that contribute towards keeping your body healthy and functioning well.

Vitamin B12 contributes to the maintenance of a healthy nervous system, aiding in normal mental function. Not only this, but vitamin B12 helps to maintain normal blood homocysteine levels and contributes to cognitive performance as you get older. It is also necessary for healthy teeth, bones, hair, skin, and nails.

In food, B vitamins are found predominantly in meat, eggs, and dairy products. Many B vitamins are also found in plant-based products except for Vitamin B12. This vitamin supplement is often added to plant-based food alternatives such as oat and coconut milk and yogurts (always check the labels) but nonetheless, it is recommended that B12 vitamin supplements are needed by most vegans.

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