The issue of mineral and vitamin shortfalls among Russians isn’t tied to the arrival of spring; it’s a broader nutritional pattern that clinicians observe year round. This perspective came from Emilia Gavrilova, a pediatrician affiliated with the Fomin Clinic, during an interview with the Children’s network socialbites.ca. The takeaway is clear: the most common concerns center on iron deficiency and insufficient vitamin D, rather than seasonal fluctuations alone.
To put it plainly, Gavrilova emphasizes that iron deficiency is not a seasonal phenomenon. Vitamin D, while influenced by sun exposure, is not restricted to any single part of the year and can dip for reasons beyond winter darkness. The doctor notes that a child’s vitamin D status may vary due to outdoor time, skin synthesis capacity, and dietary intake, with implications that extend well beyond just the cold months.
The clinician explains that vitamin D levels tend to fall after winter primarily due to limited sun exposure, but both vitamin D status and iron stores can be supported by thoughtful nutrition in the weeks leading into spring. In practical terms, this means building dietary habits that help prevent these deficiencies before the season shifts. A balanced approach includes ensuring regular intake of animal protein and other iron-rich foods, while keeping dairy and milk products within moderate daily limits. The recommendation is not only to rely on supplements, but to consider vitamin D prophylaxis as part of a year-round plan or specifically from September through May, depending on an individual’s needs and geographic location.
For families observing persistent fatigue, frequent respiratory infections, or slower growth in children, Gavrilova advises scheduling a medical evaluation to assess iron and vitamin D status through blood tests. The clinician notes that early detection and tailored management can prevent longer-term consequences, especially in youngsters who are growing rapidly and have higher nutritional demands.
Beyond iron and vitamin D, Gavrilova comments that iodine and fluoride gaps appear across several regions of Russia, suggesting regional dietary patterns and environmental factors contribute to micronutrient shortfalls. This observation underscores the point that nutrient gaps are not bound to a season; they reflect broader dietary habits, access to nutrient-rich foods, and public health initiatives that influence daily consumption patterns over time.
Gavrilova cautions against assuming that spring brings a surge in energy by virtue of vitamin supplementation alone. She describes a phenomenon where people experience a temporary boost when taking vitamins, which can be partly explained by the placebo effect. In practice, as many as half of those who take vitamins report feeling more energetic and better able to cope with fatigue and common ailments like colds, even if their underlying nutritional status remains unchanged. This insight highlights the importance of recognizing when supplementation is addressing a real deficiency versus when it is simply providing a psychological or perceptual boost.
The pediatrician also notes that the familiar sense of spring lethargy is often more closely tied to emotional exhaustion accumulated through the winter months. The combination of shorter days, social restrictions, and ongoing stress can sap energy, and vitamins cannot substitute for adequate sleep, regular physical activity, or stress management strategies. In other words, a holistic approach to health—one that includes nutrition, mental well-being, and healthy routines—tends to yield more reliable results than relying on vitamins alone.
Asya Gabueva, who previously practiced dentistry, joins the discussion by considering how stress affects not only overall health but dental health as well. The link between stress and dental outcomes is well documented, with implications for periodontal health, cavity risk, and routine care. This perspective adds another layer to the conversation about how best to maintain wellness across seasons and life stages, reinforcing that nutritional status, stress levels, and preventive care are interdependent factors in a person’s health matrix.