There you go, the temperatures drop, and we get tired. A ritual that is not so abnormal. When the weather is cold, the body uses more energy to keep its internal temperature constant, and the immune system must be constantly on the “war footing” because viruses are doing wonderfully and begging to multiply. and contaminate us! This increased work, even more in case of infection, induces fatigue which sets in more or less quickly.
Lack of sunlight affects morale, as well as the production of certain vitamins, such as vitamin D, normally protective of our form and our defenses. Suddenly, we tend to catch “whatever is lying around”, the slightest cold lasts and exhausts us, and a vicious cycle of fatigue, repeated winter ailments and slight depression sets in for weeks, even days. month…
Tired as soon as you wake up, you take a nosedive during the day, have the physical impression of being 100 years old (at least) and you collapse under the duvet as soon as you eat dinner? No wonder: since the length of the day decreases, our internal chemistry adapts and gets stuck on the bad season. As a result, morale falters due to a lack of light, we have less desire to go out, to move, to play sports … In addition, the raclette-fondue diet and the lack of plants do not help us to replenish the stocks of certain vitamins, essential. In short, we are slammed from 10 am in the morning.
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It gives pride of place to vitamins “Doping” and antioxidants. “White blood cells, these little soldiers of our immune system, induce an overproduction of free radicals corrosive for our cells, which requires an increased supply of antioxidants”, explains Dr Patrick Chavaux, micro-nutritionist doctor.
Good for us: vitamin C (citrus, kiwi, mango), provitamin A (carrot, pumpkin), and magnesium anti-fatigue and anti-stress (oleaginous fruits, dark chocolate, water rich in magnesium).
The good winter habit? Eat hot more often. “The heat relieves the body which has less to” work “to fight against the cold”, explains Angélique Houlbert, dietician-nutritionist. We put on soups homemade, and starches with a low glycemic index (GI) to calm hunger and provide energy without creating post-meal hypoglycemia (after meals), nor making you gain weight: pasta or basmati rice (always al dente and with green vegetables), lentils, red or white beans, chickpeas … Finally, the products of the hive (fresh pollen, royal jelly, various honeys), very beneficial for health and tonics, help to “reconstitute », Especially if you are fragile, susceptible to infections or have been ill.
Help yourself with 100% natural remedies
Ginseng, for immunity
Renowned for reducing fatigue and improving both physical and mental performance, ginseng gives a “boost” to the immune system. Its cousin from Peru, called Maca, increases tone without stimulating effect like caffeine would. Russian ginseng is called eleutherococcus. The ideal: cures of 15 days to 3 weeks (then a break for as much before starting again), at doses of 500 to 1000 mg / day for Panax ginseng. Eleutherococcus, Easy Nutrition, 13.45 euros per bottle of 120 capsules; Panax Ginseng, Solgar, 28.50 euros for a box of 50 capsules.
Vitamin C, anti-infection
Antioxidant, vitamin C supports immunity and fights against infectious agents. “In addition, we” overconsume “when we are stressed, and we should not hesitate to exceed the recommended daily dose (180 mg per day), up to 1, or even 2 g per day in periods of fatigue. », Explains Angélique Houlbert. Surpluses are eliminated through the urine, so there is no risk of overdose. “To be taken in the morning or at noon, but not on an empty stomach because it is better assimilated with the food bolus. We must also choose products with prolonged action, for a gentle diffusion throughout the day ”. Vitamin C Ester-C Plus, Solgar, 17 euros per box of 30 tablets; Acerola 1000, SuperDiet, 7, 70 euros for the box of 24 tablets.
