Vitamin C: Your Wintertime Superhero! 

How Vitamin C can keep you healthy this winter. 

Fall time is here, folks, and winter is right around the corner. The good news - it's time to dust-off your favorite boots and gloves. The bad news: increased risk of infections and flu.

But it doesn’t have to be that way - well, not completely, at least. Let’s face it, even though you can't completely avoid health problems and especially colds, you can boost your immunity in more ways than one!

Every winter season, catching a cold may seem inevitable, however the truth is that it is not so complicated to safeguard your immune system as long as you know how. 

Start with the basics: wash your hands regularly, stay warm, and most importantly, eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals.  

Often, the first thing that will come to your mind when we hear “vitamin C” is chugging a glass of orange juice when you come down with something. Certainly, orange juice is a classic go-to when you become ill. But keep in mind that OJ can not only help fight off a cold, it can also prevent them. So it becomes all the more important to increase your intake of this key vitamin when the temperatures start to drop this time of year! 

Vitamin C -- also known as Ascorbic Acid -- is one of the most effective vitamins to ward off flu and infections, as it helps to strengthen your immune system. But its benefits don't just end there! It’s also known to regulate cholesterol levels, helps treat inflammation, and more. 

You don’t want to spend your winter in bed missing out on holiday parties and other activities. Stay vibrant and fully present with your family and friends by staying healthy. 

Fight Cold and Flu with Vitamin C

This exceptional water-soluble antioxidant is the common cold’s worst enemy! Research shows that junk food addicts and people who live in crowded living spaces, like retirement homes or college dorms, are more often deficient in vitamin C. Studies also show that a large proportion of cancer patients often have lower vitamin C reserves. 

Which foods are good sources of Vitamin C? Try:   

• Oranges
• Grapefruit
• Strawberries
• Mangoes
• Asparagus
• Broccoli
• Red cabbage
• Peppers
• Brussel sprouts

There is a good deal of evidence of the benefits of vitamin C obtained naturally in foods – in fact, all fresh fruits and vegetables have vitamin C. You need a constant supply of these fresh fruits and vegetables, as vitamin C passes through the body quickly and the body cannot produce its own!

So while there are many juicy fruits and crisp, nutritious vegetables available throughout warmer months, they become more difficult to find during the winter. The quality of fruit may also decrease because they’re not in season. Keep in mind that so-called winter-time “fresh produce” is often kept in cold storage and even stuffed with preservatives and GMOs to maintain freshness! 

Many people resort to frozen fruits and vegetables during cold months, which isn’t a bad idea because they’ve often been picked at peak season. The nutrients in frozen fruits are also locked in during the freezing process. Plus - frozen produce can be used to make a darn good smoothie! 

It Just Makes Sense to Take a Supplement

If you find it difficult to find fresh produce in colder months, we recommend taking quality supplements in forms as close as can be to how they occur in nature. Vitamin C that occurs in nature is always a form of ascorbic acid. Reputable manufacturers add bioflavonoids as well as vitamin C-enriched whole food concentrates. It’s important to know where your supplement comes from and have a trustworthy wellness company like Key Nutrition that steers clear GMOs, fillers or other artificial ingredients. We keep our whole food promise! 

Key’s Quick ‘Pick-me-Up’ Vitamin C Drink

Blend fresh pineapple and apples with a teaspoon of cinnamon and some ice to create a refreshing super Vitamin C drink. Not only is the pineapple a powerful enzyme called bromelain,  which encourages the secretion of hydrochloric acid, but the cinnamon is also great touch of flavor that doesn’t add sugar. This fruity drink is loaded with antioxidants and anti inflammatory properties.

You can ‘C’ the Difference with Vitamin C

Everyone needs a proper amount of vitamin C daily, especially those with demanding lifestyles and those don’t consume enough fresh fruit and vegetables. Winter is a great time to start taking this vitamin in supplement form, alone or in a daily multivitamin. 

Check out Key’s Whole Food Supplements to add to your winter defense!