Supplementation for the Winter

Supplementation is essential, especially to make your immune system stronger.

The first supplement I recommend is probiotics. Probiotics are bacteria that populate your intestines. The types of bacteria in your intestines help immune function. They have also been linked in scientific studies to weight management (the appropriate probiotics will help people maintain or lose weight), brain health, memory, and blood sugar control.

Please note: obesity is multifactorial, and only adding probiotics to your daily supplementation schedule isn't going to help you lose weight. You have to change many factors affecting obesity.

Another supplement I recommend in the winter is vitamin D. It's essential to:

- Get 400 IU (international units) per day

- Get a capsule with oil, or consume it with a meal containing healthy oils, such as olive oil. because vitamin D is fat-soluble

The reason why we need supplementation is: much of the vitamin D we get would come from sunlight, scarce in the north part of the northern hemisphere in the winter months.

Vitamin D is also important for your body to absorb calcium and make a healthy bone structure.

Many foods are fortified with vitamin D, such as cereals and milk. Vitamin D is present in many types of fatty fish, as well. However, if you don't consume these foods, you won't have a good source of vitamin D daily.

Get your supplementation. Ask your MD or dietitian what would be the best brand for you to take since it's based on your medical history and individual needs.

I also recommend vitamin C. This vitamin doesn't prevent colds, but it could help you get better from a cold faster. Instead of only taking vitamin C, you can take it with a multivitamin. If you don't like the idea of having a multivitamin daily, consider having it every other day.

Vitamin C is also helpful if you're taking iron – it enhances iron absorption when consumed together. It is also beneficial to supplement collagen with vitamin C if you take collagen.

Collagen supplementation is important for the formation and healing of bone, tendon, and ligament, besides healing and forming our skin. Collagen supplementation also goes back to intestinal health since it helps seal the intestinal lining, protecting our bodies from autoimmune disease, bloating, and it helps synergize the work of the probiotics.

(Girlene's advice on this website isn't medical advice. Consult with your doctor or book an individual consultation to address your needs as a unique individual).