As the season transitions from winter to spring, it’s an excellent opportunity to refresh your supplement routine for optimal health. With longer, brighter days ahead, it’s the ideal time to enhance your journey towards wellness.
While you may already be actively working on your health—collecting plant-based foods, exercising regularly, prioritizing sleep, and managing stress—taking a seasonal perspective on wellness can elevate your efforts. By being mindful of the season’s impact on our health, you can better align your supplement intake.
Supplements can support your health, but it’s essential to approach them as a supplement to—not a substitution for—healthy eating. Consulting with a registered healthcare professional, like a nutritionist, before adding any new supplements to your regimen is always a wise choice. As we transition into spring, certain nutrients may increase in importance. Below is an overview of what to consider.
Probiotics
Seasonal shifts can affect the gut microbiome, as changes in diet, environment, and activities come into play. With the arrival of longer days, you may find yourself traveling more or dining outdoors, potentially disrupting gut balance. Taking a probiotic during these months can help sustain healthy gut flora, boost digestion, and strengthen your immune system. Opt for formulations with a variety of well-researched strains, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, to maximize digestive health benefits.
Try: Metagenics UltraFlora Everyday, £19.99, metagenics.co.uk
Collagen
The buzz around collagen continues for a good reason. As the most abundant protein in our bodies, it is essential for skin elasticity, hydration, and overall firmness. With the warmer weather, increased UV exposure can accelerate moisture loss and collagen degradation in the skin. Supplementing with collagen, especially hydrolyzed collagen peptides, can help retain skin hydration, minimize fine lines, and assist in natural repair processes. Pairing collagen intake with vitamin C-rich foods can enhance collagen synthesis and protect skin from seasonal environmental stressors. There are also vegan collagen options available, so you can find what’s suitable for your lifestyle.
Try: Ingenious Collagen+, £48, ingeniouslife.com
Electrolytes
Electrolytes aren’t just for athletes; they can be a vital addition to anyone’s routine. These essential minerals help regulate fluid balance, muscle function, and nerve signaling, and are lost through perspiration. Even mild increases in temperature can lead to fatigue or cramps, highlighting the importance of electrolytes.
While UK summers may not mirror hotter climates, forecasts suggest that increasingly warm years lie ahead. Thus, replenishing electrolytes through moisture-rich foods or targeted supplements is key for maintaining energy levels and peak performance. Electrolytes usually come as powders or dissolvable tablets, making them convenient for hydration on the go.
Try: Trip Peach Yuzu Electrolytes, £19.60, drink-trip.com
Magnesium
Magnesium is a versatile mineral that plays a role in a variety of bodily functions, from managing stress to promoting better sleep. It’s abundant in foods like dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and legumes. However, many individuals don’t get sufficient magnesium, particularly during stressful times when the body’s demand increases. Certain medications, such as some antibiotics and acid reflux drugs, can hinder absorption, and even appetite-suppressing medications like GLP-1 can deplete magnesium levels. Consider magnesium bisglycinate or citrate for effective supplementation.
Try: Curated Beauty London Quiet Shift Triple Magnesium, £35, curatedbeauty.london
In the spring and summer months Vitamin C can be obtained from eating well (Pexels)
The supplements you might no longer need
As we move into spring, certain nutrients might become less critical…
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for brain and bone health, primarily sourced from sunlight. From March through September, increased sunlight allows our bodies to absorb vitamin D effectively. Unless you belong to specific groups that may require year-round supplementation (like people with darker skin, shift workers, and the elderly), you might find it unnecessary to continue taking supplements during spring and summer.
Vitamin C
During winter, vitamin C supplements are often taken to fend off colds. With spring’s arrival, increased sunlight, more outdoor activities, and fewer viruses lessen the urgency for supplementation. While still important, vitamin C can be sourced from seasonal produce like strawberries, citrus, spinach, and bell peppers, all of which the body absorbs quite well.
CoQ10
CoQ10 is popular in winter for its role in boosting cellular energy, especially when fatigue is prevalent. In contrast, summer often brings increased daylight and physical activity, which can naturally sustain your energy levels. As a result, you may not need to supplement with CoQ10 during warmer months; instead, focus on including CoQ10-rich foods like oily fish, nuts, seeds, chicken, and spinach in your diet.
In summary, embracing a seasonal approach to your wellness regimen can help optimize your health during the springtime. By adjusting your supplement intake in line with the changing seasons, you can better support your body’s needs. Always remember to prioritize whole foods and consult healthcare professionals when making significant changes to your diet or supplement routine.
