Spring into action

Shake off the winter months with a nutrient spring clean

The dark, cold months at the beginning of the year can have an impact on our energy levels, immune system and cognitive function. Now that spring is in the air it’s the perfect time to shake off the winter and give your body a natural boost. Dr Carrie Ruxton, from the Health and Food Supplements Information Service (HSIS), says: “We can’t magic up more sunlight in the UK but there are ways we can adapt our diets to get our health back on track for the spring and summer.” Here are Dr Ruxton’s top five tips for feeling fabulous this spring:

1 Take a multivitamin, or a supplement containing vitamin C and zinc. Vitamin C and zinc, as well as vitamin D, are known to support normal immune function. When vitamin C and zinc are taken in combination at the start of a cold, they can knock a couple of days off your symptoms. Vitamin C can also be found in kiwi and citrus fruits, while fish and meat are a rich source of zinc.

2 Energy levels can feel low as winter recedes. B vitamins have a vital role in helping the body to extract energy from our foods, particularly carbohydrates. A ‘B complex’ supplement, containing thiamin, riboflavin, B6, B12, folic acid and niacin is a good option, particularly if you are vegetarian or vegan. B vitamins are found naturally in meat, fish and eggs.

3 Perceived energy can also be boosted by taking daily exercise, such as brisk walking, dancing or gym classes. This creates endorphin chemicals in the brain which make us feel more positive. Support your active lifestyle by choosing food and drinks rich in polyphenols which support blood vessel function, such as colourful fruits and vegetables, orange juice, tea and dark chocolate.

4 Mental function depends on the ease of chemical messages jumping from one brain junction to another, called synapses. Studies show that the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids found in marine oils help to make this process more effective. Omega-3s can be found in oily fish, such as salmon and mackerel, or fish oil supplements.

5 While we can feel more sleepy and sluggish in the winter and spring, this can often be helped by getting better quality sleep – not necessarily more sleep! Switch off all screen-based entertainment at least an hour before bed, do some relaxing meditation and then enjoy a warm, milky drink. Dairy foods contain an amino acid, called tryptophan, which the body uses to make serotonin and helps regulate sleep. You can also take a supplement containing 5-HTP.

HSIS (the Health and Food Supplements Information Service) is a communication service providing accurate and balanced information on vitamins, minerals and other food supplements to the media and to health professionals working in the field of diet and nutrition. Find out more at www.hsis.org

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