Supplements To Beat The Winter Blues
December’s festivities have finished, and many of us are now feeling low. While is normal and it is ok to feel like this in January, some of us may actually be suffering from the winter blues.
The winter blues is a form of depression that can be characterised by low mood, heavy sleeping, and changes in appetite.
Until the weather starts improving and sunlight starts increasing, there are vitamins and supplements you can take to help prevent and avoid these winter blues. It’s important to keep in mind that we should always consult with our GP or health care professional before taking any health or food supplements.
Vitamin C Supplements
Vitamin C is a very popular supplement during the winter as it helps to boost the immune system. Vitamin C does a really great job of protecting the systems within your body, and not only does it help the immune system fight off pathogens, but it is also considered an antioxidant that helps the body tackle oxidative stress.
A vitamin C deficiency can affect the immune system and increase your susceptibility to infection. Ensuring you have sufficient amounts of vitamin C in your diet will improve your immune health, and wound health, will help to better repair body tissue and can contribute to healthy skin, it can also help with absorbing iron.
You can get a good amount of your daily vitamin C from oranges, red sweet peppers, citrus fruits, and parsley. You can also get vitamin C by supplementing with 90 mg a day for men or 75 mg a day for women.
The great news is, vitamin C is water-soluble, which means that taking too much will not be harmful, but it can however cause nausea and diarrhea when too much is taken.
You can browse our vitamin C supplements by clicking here.
We have listed our DSI best-selling vitamin C supplements below:
Natures Aid Vitamin C Low Acid 1000mg 90 Tablets
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of blood vessels, bones, cartilage, gums, skin and teeth. Vitamin C also contributes to the normal function of the immune system and supports immune function during and after intense physical activity. Vitamin C additionally protects cells from oxidative damage and increases iron absorption.
Solgar Vitamin C 500mg 100 Caps
Often used to provide seasonal immunity support. Contributes to a healthy immune system and energy levels. Potent antioxidant properties and reduces tiredness and fatigue. Supports collagen formation supporting blood vessels, bones, cartilage, gums, skin, and teeth. Vegan, Vegetarian, Kosher.
Vitamin D Supplements
Vitamin D is potentially the most studied vitamin for the treatment of the seasonal affective disorder, or ‘SAD’, which is a common mood disorder that occurs in climates where there is less sunlight at certain times of the year, Ireland being an example of this. Thankfully, vitamin D has been shown to help improve mood management as it is an essential hormone for bodily processes.
Vitamin D can play an important role in SAD as vitamin D levels drop during the winter as sun exposure decreases. There has been evidence that shows by supplementing with vitamin D, you can relieve SAD symptoms, but this is only when you already have below-normal levels.
As vitamin D is stored within the body, getting enough of it during the summer could help to reduce the chances of SAD symptoms occurring during the winter. You can also check our blog on symptoms of vitamin D deficiency here.
You can browse our range of vitamin D supplements by clicking here.
Discount Supplements Vitamin D Best-Sellers:
Vitamin D is required to promote calcium absorption, which helps to maintain healthy bones and teeth. Vitamin D also supports a healthy immune system and may support neuromuscular function. This formulation provides Vitamin D3 for daily supplementation.
Natures Aid Vitamin D3 1000 IU
Natures Aid Vitamin D3 contributes to the maintenance of normal bones, teeth, muscle function and the immune system. Vitamin D contributes to normal absorption/utilisation of calcium and phosphorus, and blood calcium levels
Vitamin B6 Supplements
As B6 is so important for nerve function, a vitamin B6 deficiency can often be linked to neuropsychiatric disorders, and signs of a B6 deficiency can include changes in mood, including irritability, depression and anxiety. Some prescription antidepressant meds even work by raising serotonin levels in the brain, but B6 can actually do this naturally.
Research has shown that vitamin B6 has a significant impact on the central production of both GABA neurotransmitters and serotonin in the brain. These are very important hormones that can control mood and are needed to prevent the symptoms of SAD, which include anxiety, depression, and fatigue.
You can browse our B vitamins supplements by clicking here.
We have also listed our best-selling vitamin B supplements below:
Nature’s Aid Vitamin B Complex 90 Tabs
Nature’s Aid Vitamin B Complex provides an excellent source of B vitamins to support normal energy-yielding metabolism and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
Solgar Vitamin B Complex “100” 100 Capsules
Solgar Vitamin B-complex “100” is an extra high potency Vitamin B-complex. These supplements can help your body to properly digest proteins, carbohydrates, and fats and convert them into energy.
Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplements
It is incredibly common to have a low mood during the winter months, but fish oil has been scientifically shown to decrease and prevent symptoms of depression. Fish oils contain two kinds of omega-3 fatty acids, these are EPA and DHA. Both of these fatty acids play important roles in brain function and mood, and there has been a number of studies that link low levels of both to mental and emotional disorders, including depression.
There has been research that shows countries with higher consumption rates of fresh fish have significantly lower depression rates, and vice versa. In fact, one particular study in Finland analysed over 3,000 adults and saw that the likelihood of depressive symptoms was higher for those who rarely ate fish when compared to those who were frequent fish eaters.
So if you are not getting enough fresh fish from your diet alone, a fish oil supplement is a really excellent way to ensure you are getting enough omega-3s in your diet.
You can browse our range of fish oil supplements by clicking here.
Discount Supplements Fish Oil Best-Sellers:
Solgar Omega-3-6-9 60 Softgels
Blend of three premium oils – Fish, Flax, and Borage. Specially formulated ratio of Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids.
Nordic Naturals Complete Omega 3-6-9 With Vitamin D 237ml
Complete Omega is a unique blend of fish oil and borage oil that combines omega-3 (EPA+DHA), omega-6 (GLA), and omega-9 (oleic acid) fatty acids.
Zinc Supplements
Another immune-boosting supplement is Zinc as it plays an important role in almost every cellular function. Zinc also plays a role in protein and carbohydrate metabolism, skin health, cell division and growth, and it is vital for immune health and its functioning, on top of this, it is also a key component in gut health.
You can find zinc in red meat and poultry as well as oysters, you can also get zinc in supplement form. Some forms of Zinc are more bioavailable than others, so if you do try a supplement with a form that does not suit you, you can try a different form that might give you better results!
You can shop our range of zinc supplements by clicking here.
We have listed our best-selling zinc supplements below:
Quest Synergistic Zinc 15mg 90 Tablets
Provides zinc and copper which work synergistically and contribute to the normal function of the immune system and the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Zinc also contributes to the maintenance of normal hair, nails and skin, promoting general wound, ulceration and scar healing
Vitamin E and Manganese contribute to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Additional Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones. Vitamin B6 contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
It is important to consult with your healthcare provider before taking any supplements you are unsure about.
