Vitamin course: known benefits & recommended supplements

What is a vitamin course?

A vitamin course generally takes place over a limited period, during which we seek to optimise our intake of vitamins and minerals. The aim? To support the body's proper functioning by avoiding any deficiencies.

This type of approach is often part of a specific context: persistent fatigue, a change of season, a period of stress, convalescence, etc.

But it is also possible to take a preventive course of treatment to maintain and support the metabolism as a whole, without waiting for any particular symptoms to appear.

A course of vitamins can be likened to a one-off 'boost' to help the body function optimally, and to ensure that essential micronutrient requirements are met on a daily basis.

What are the benefits of vitamins?

There are many different vitamins, each with its own effects and benefits.

In particular, vitamin C contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system, reduces fatigue and exhaustion, protects cells against oxidative stress and helps with the normal formation of collagen to ensure the normal function of blood vessels, bones, cartilage, skin, gums and teeth.

Although oranges have good levels of vitamin C, the plants that contain the most are red peppers, green peppers and broccoli.

And when diet is not enough, targeted supplementation can increase the quantities available to the body.

Discover the Liposomal Vitamin C food supplement, which contains vitamin C in liposomal form for optimum bioavailability and prolonged absorption in the body.

Vitamin D is another essential vitamin.

It contributes to the maintenance of normal bone structure and muscle function, the normal functioning of the immune system, and the normal absorption and use of calcium and phosphorus.

It is found in oily fish, offal and eggs.

However, vitamin D is most effectively synthesised through the skin, via exposure to sunlight. That's why vitamin D supplementation is often recommended during autumn and winter (1).

Discover Vitamin D3 1000 IU, a highly assimilable natural form, ideal for supporting your immunity and bone health during the less sunny months.

B vitamins, in particular B1, B2, B6, B9 and B12, contribute to normal energy metabolism, normal functioning of the nervous system and reduced fatigue.

They are found in offal, legumes, eggs, brewer's yeast, etc.

However, these vitamins are not always synthesised properly, and are poorly stored by the body: hence the importance of increasing intakes by supplementation.

Discover Coenzymated B Vitamins, a complete formula combining the main B vitamins in highly bioavailable forms to support energy, nervous balance and immunity.

Vitamin E helps to protect cells against oxidative stress.

It is found mainly in vegetable oils and nuts, but by opting for a quality supplement, you can easily increase your daily intake.

Discover Natural E 400, a supplement developed to provide an active, natural form of antioxidant vitamin E (D-alpha tocopherol), recognised for its bioavailability and effectiveness within the body.

The limits of the modern diet

Even with a varied and balanced diet, meeting your vitamin requirements is not always easy.  And there are several reasons for this.

On the one hand, the nutritional quality of food has deteriorated: the impoverishment of soils, intensive farming techniques and prolonged transport and storage have reduced the micronutrient content of many products (2).

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition highlighted the steady decline in protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin B2 and vitamin C intakes between 1950 and 1999 for 43 different vegetables and fruit (3).

The researchers attribute this drop in nutritional value to the preponderance of farming practices aimed at improving certain characteristics (size, growth rate, pest resistance) other than nutritional value.

On the other hand, cooking at high temperatures can alter certain sensitive vitamins, such as vitamin C or B9 (4).

Finally, certain periods of life and certain situations can increase the body's vitamin requirements (vegetarianism, pregnancy, chronic illnesses, prolonged stress or exhaustion, etc.).

Combined with a balanced diet, targeted supplementation can increase the body's intake of the vitamins it needs at these times.

Quality multivitamins for an effective course

Multivitamin food supplements allow you to combine several vitamins in a single dose, and even minerals and phytonutrients.

To esure you're using a quality multivitamin complex, you need to look for:

• broad coverage that goes beyond traditional vitamins, including essential minerals such as magnesium, zinc and selenium
• the use of bioavailable forms; for example, vitamin B9 is much more absorbable as 5-methyltetrahydfolate than as folic acid, and magnesium in glycinate or bisglycinate form is generally better assimilated and less likely to cause digestive discomfort than lactate, sulphate or chloride
• the absence of unnecessary additives that provide no nutritional value, such as colourings, texture agents or synthetic excipients

Some formulas concentrate the essential vitamins and minerals in a single capsule per day: a practical, effective solution for those who want to simplify their lives by easily taking all the nutrients they need.

Discover the Daily 1® multivitamin food supplement which contains 30 exceptional vitamins, minerals and compounds in a single daily tablet.

Sustained-release multivitamins ensure that vitamins and minerals are gradually released throughout the day.

This continuous intake corresponds to the ideal natural intake for the body, which accesses micronutrients in a diffuse manner.

Discover Daily 2® Timed Release, a sustained-release multivitamin food supplement with 32 components chosen for their maximum bioavailability and absorption.

In addition to traditional vitamins and minerals, some formulas also include phytonutrients, plant extracts or innovative compounds (such as PQQ, now considered one of the best antioxidant compounds, or nicotinamide riboside, a highly sought-after anti-ageing ingredient).

Discover the Daily 3® multivitamin formula, which combines 45 exceptional ingredients, including 16 vitamins and 9 minerals, in natural forms that are optimal for the body.

Also discover the Daily 6® complex, an enriched version of the famous Daily 3® multivitamin formula.