“I’m a neurologist and this is the vitamin you should turn to this winter for good brain health”

Doctors generally recommend limiting supplements, even in winter, and reserving courses of food supplements for times when you are truly deficient. The British national health authority, the National Health Service (NHS), for example, recommended at the beginning of December to be careful of excess potassium. Consuming this mineral in too large a quantity has almost as many negative effects as a deficiency, with stomach aches and risks of cardiac dysregulation. The NHS instead recommended consuming foods rich in potassium instead of food supplements.

If some people never start winter without a course of vitamin C, it would be better to choose to supplement with vitamin D according to an American neurologist. Dr. Baibing Chen, a neurologist and researcher at the University of Michigan in the United States, became known on social media as Dr. Bing. He has nearly 75,000 subscribers on TikTok and regularly offers them advice videos for good brain health.

An impact on cognitive functions and mood

“One of the things I don’t do as a neurologist in winter is underestimate the impact of vitamin D on the body and the brain “, warns Baibing Chen in a video posted on December 24 on TikTok. “It helps maintain mood, cognitive functions and memory “. The expert even highlights the increased risks of depression and cognitive decline in the event of vitamin D deficiency, as Iranian researchers had shown in a study in 2023.

Vitamin D also helps increase the concentration of calcium and phosphorus in the blood, according to Public health Francewhich contributes to good bone health and muscle reactivity.

Make up for the lack of light

Our body synthesizes vitamin D from a cholesterol derivative when our skin is exposed to light and heat from the sun. However, in winter, it is more difficult to be sufficiently exposed to the sun’s rays. It is then possible to spend more time outside (even in gray weather) or to consume more foods rich in vitamin D, such as oily fish, egg yolk or certain mushrooms (shiitakes, porcini mushrooms, chanterelles, etc.). The latter may, however, remain insufficient because food can only make up part of the lack of light.

Beware of overdose

Vitamin D supplements may be considered on the advice of your doctor, as an overdose can also be dangerous. “ The limit is 100 micrograms per day », warns Doctor Baibing Chen.« Eating more can lead to serious health problems due to high levels of calcium in the blood. It causes nausea and vomiting, weakness, confusion, and even damage to the kidneys and heart. “. He therefore advises always consulting a doctor before starting supplementation. In adults, Public Health France advises not to exceed 15 micrograms of vitamin D per day.