Health Hotline Magazine | November 2021

Vitamins C & D: The Dynamic Duo to Never Be Without By Morgaine Lee

G iven all that we’ve been through the past couple of years, the upcoming holiday season with loved ones feels extra special and so very needed. And we certainly don’t want to miss out because seasonal sickness or the winter blues have got us down! Vitamin C and D are just the dynamic duo to support our immune systems, keep winter blues and anxiety at bay, and support optimal wellness this festive season. Like a juicy orange on a sunny day, vitamins C and D make a fantastic duo. Each nutrient serves many functions in the body; from supporting respiratory and cardiovascular health, to managing anxiety, and maximizing immune function—these vitamins are truly a powerhouse team. While it is always important to make a conscious e ort to get these nutrients in our bodies, no time may be more vital than the winter months. Colds and flus are circulating,

gloomy weather can really impact our mood, and there are gatherings to organize and enjoy. Unlike most mammals, humans cannot synthesize vitamin C. This means we must acquire the vitamin through the diet and by supplementing. Deficiency is common among elderly populations and can lead to scurvy. Even today, scurvy—the sailors’ disease of the 1700s—can develop without su cient vitamin C consumption. Vitamin D is the sunshine vitamin. UVB rays are absorbed through our skin and go through a process to become an active form of vitamin D, but during the winter months, we are at a higher risk of deficiency of this vital nutrient. Other factors that can a ect our vitamin D levels include latitude, skin pigmentation, and sunblock. Deficiency is extremely common worldwide.

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