The Best Seasonal Vitamins

The ghastly winter much of the country has been enduring is no doubt a challenge to and a stressor to the body. The good news is that there’s a wealth of vitamins that can help boost the immune system and support a person’s overall health. Here are some top picks:

Vitamin C
The best thing that vitamin C has going for it is that it’s an antioxidant. This means it neutralizes free radical oxygen molecules and keeps them from damaging bodily cells and even DNA by grabbing electrons from them. The vitamin C molecule gives up one of its electrons to the free radical molecule and prevents it from attacking the cells.

What vitamin C does best is maintain collagen, which is a protein that is vital for the formation of skin, bones and ligaments. Because of its collagen forming properties, vitamin C also facilitates the healing of wounds and burns. But vitamin C also fights bacterial infections and eases the symptoms of allergies. Because people stay indoors more often during the cold weather, these infections and allergies can be especially troublesome. Vitamin C is abundant in fresh fruits, especially citrus and vegetables.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A is also an antioxidant. It helps in the repair and growth of bodily tissues and is especially helpful in supporting the health and beauty of the skin. Indeed, many skin products are made from derivatives of vitamin A. This fat soluble vitamin also helps maintain the health of the mucous membranes in the respiratory tract and the mouth, which reduces the risk of infections as well as the effects of pollutants. It also stimulates the stomach into producing enzymes and juices that break down proteins and builds strong bones and teeth.

The body can’t absorb vitamin A, but gets it through ingesting carotene, which is then converted into Vitamin A. Carotene is found in carrots and gives it its bright orange color. Other sources of carotene are green leafy vegetables.

Vitamin E
Another antioxidant, vitamin E helps the cells to utilize oxygen more efficiently. It also causes blood vessels to open up and allow more blood flow to the heart, which is important during the cold weather. It brings nutrition to cells and strengthens the walls of tiny blood vessels known as capillaries. Like vitamin A, vitamin E is also beneficial to the skin. It helps prevent the dryness and itchiness that often afflicts the skin during cold, dry weather. Vitamin E is found in wheat germ, nuts and seeds.

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