COVID-19. Quarantine. Anxiety. Staying Healthy. All of these words describe what most of us are currently facing. We chatted with Dr. Arielle Levitan, a mother of three who co-founded a personalized vitamin company, Vous Vitamin. Implementing vitamins is definitely something everyone should be doing, like yesterday. Dr. Levitan is a Doctor of Internal Medicine with a special interest in Preventive Medicine and Woman’s Health and we can all use her advice. With the world in complete panic right now over the COVID-19, it’s the perfect time to read-up on what we can do from home.

Many of us anxious about the unknown. With the gym closed and facing day 4 of quarantine, many people are wondering about vitamins to help anxiety. While they might not be a magic bullet, they might hold more help than we all realize. Take a few minutes to read our interview with Dr. Levitan on ways you can be easing anxiety & staying healthy.

As a doctor, you are surrounded by germs 24/7. What suggestions do you have to survive the typical cold & flu season as well as the mayhem of the Coronavirus? 

I take a personalized multivitamin year round to help support my immune system. Getting regular sleep, exercise and frequent hand washing are my best defenses. Some of the nutrients in my daily blend include Vitamin D3, vitamin C, E and iron. I also take a vegan Omega3.

What can truly help us “fight-off” a virus?       

There are some studies to suggest that taking Zinc and extra C and D when you are coming down with something can be helpful. I also make sure to drink warm liquids and try to rest as much as possible at the onset of symptoms (not always possible these days)

Our country is full of anxiety right now. Tell us why you feel vitamins can help stress & anxiety we are facing right now. 

Taking the right vitamins for your individual needs can often help with anxiety. A personalized multivitamin can do this and may include nutrients such as magnesium, certain B vitamins and Vitamin D, all of which have been shown to be helpful with anxiety.

Why should we choose a personalized vitamin vs. just throwing anything in their cart. 

It is important that each person get what is right for their needs based on their diet, lifestyle and individual health concerns. We do not all eat the same, live the same or need the same nutrients. Taking too much of or the wrong vitamins can also be harmful. It is essential to get what you need in a high quality, doctor created product to avoid important safety issues and to really benefit from taking a vitamin.

What is the best time of day to take a vitamin? 

There is no best time. It’s the time you can remember to take it consistently and ideal most vitamins should be taken with food and water.

Vitamins we know are important, but as an expert, what foods can also help boost our immune system?

Foods that contain some of the above mentioned nutrients such as vitamin D (mushrooms, liver), vitamin C (citrus and other vegetables such as red peppers), Vitamin A (carrots) some whole grains are a good start. It’s hard to get everything you need from food unfortunately (our food supply has lost many of its nutrients) but you certainly should try to eat a diet rich in fruits and veggies and lean proteins and whole grains–the Mediterranean diet is ideal.  

Do yourself a favor and check out Vous Vitamin. It’s simple & easy. Vous Vitamins allows you to take a survey that analyzes your health and lifestyle needs, and then the doctors match you to an individualized blend and it ships right to your door. Take your vitamin survey now to get exactly the right vitamins for your needs.

PSA: Drs. Block and Levitan are authors of the award winning The Vitamin Solution: Two Doctors Clear Confusion About Vitamins and Your Health (She Writes Press, 2015). With plenty of time on your hands it’s the perfect chance to give it a read.