Which complete, natural vitamin course should you take for winter?

In short:

1. In winter, vitamin D is the nutrient whose intake drops the most, and Inserm points out that supplementation is decided on medical advice. Vitamin C, zinc and selenium contribute to the normal function of the immune system.
2. On the eight public criteria of this ranking, Nutri&Co scores 7 out of 8, ahead of Nutripure (6), Argalys (4), Arkopharma’s Azinc Vitalité (3) and Fleurance Nature (2).
3. A “complete” course declares all 13 vitamins or nearly all of them, with vitamin D at 5 µg or more, which is 100% of the nutrient reference value.
4. “Natural” can be read on the label: origin of vitamins A, D and E and active forms of vitamins B9 and B12.

Winter vitamins come back into conversations every year as soon as the days get shorter. Do you really need a course? Which one is complete? And what does “natural” mean on a jar of capsules? This comparison starts from authorised health claims and the positions of public health bodies, then ranks five multivitamins sold in France on a grid published further down.

Comparison table of winter vitamin courses

Values come from the brands’ official product pages, for the daily dose, as of 23 October 2026. Percentages are calculated on the nutrient reference value (NRV) of the EU labelling regulation¹. The scoring details are in the “Ranking methodology” section.

N.A: not applicable, as the data was not found by the editorial team.

The nutrients of a winter vitamin course

This second table brings together the most useful nutrients in winter, their authorised claim and their NRV.

The claims come from Regulation (EU) No 432/2012² and can be checked in the EU register³. Needs are detailed in the guide to vitamin and mineral needs.

Is a winter vitamin course useful?

The answer depends on your diet and your situation. Inserm devoted an episode of its Canal Détox series to the question in November 2025⁴. Its conclusion is clear: vitamin courses “are not a miracle cure to avoid falling ill in winter”, and taking food supplements is “often unnecessary”, as an overdose can carry health risks.

The vitamin D exception

Vitamin D is the exception. In winter, at our latitudes, the lack of sun does not always allow the body to make enough vitamin D, and some people naturally make little of it: older people, people who are ill or people with dark skin. In these cases, Inserm states that supplementation may be necessary⁴.

“Supplementation may be necessary, but only on medical advice.” Inserm, Canal Détox, November 2025⁴

Vitamin C comes first from your plate

For vitamin C, Inserm stresses that a varied diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables largely covers needs, and that no solid evidence shows a high dose prevents a cold or shortens it⁴. A course still makes sense if your diet is not very varied during winter. The guide to micronutrition helps you take stock before supplementing.

Natural or synthetic vitamins: what really matters

The word “natural” on a pack says nothing on its own about the quality of a formula. EU rules authorise the forms of vitamins and minerals listed in the food supplements directive⁵, whether they are extracted from a natural source or produced by synthesis. To judge a formula, three benchmarks are more useful than the adjective.

• The stated origin of vitamins A, D and E: some labels specify beta-carotene from algae or plant origin, vitamin D3 from lichen or sheep’s wool (lanolin), vitamin E as natural tocopherols.
• Active forms: for vitamin B9, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF); for vitamin B12, methylcobalamin. These are the forms the body uses directly.
• Transparency: a label that gives the exact form of each nutrient (bisglycinate, citrate, gluconate) and its dose against the NRV lets you compare formulas.

A nutrient of natural origin is not automatically better dosed or better absorbed. Vitamin D3 from lichen at 5 µg provides the same amount as vitamin D3 from lanolin at 5 µg: the dose is what makes the difference.

How to recognise a complete course

“Complete” first refers to the number of vitamins declared. There are 13 essential vitamins: A, C, D, E, K and the eight B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B8, B9, B12). The dose matters as much as the list: the EU labelling regulation considers a nutrient present in a significant amount from 15% of the NRV per daily dose for a supplement¹. If you need more magnesium, often lightly dosed in a multivitamin, the magnesium guide explains the forms and doses.

Ranking methodology

The five formulas were assessed against the same eight criteria. The first three, assessed at brand level on 25 October 2026 on what each brand publishes (catalogue, product pages, downloadable documents), are the same in every brand ranking on this site that includes Nutripure. The next five cover the formula itself, based on its official product page as of 23 October 2026, for the daily dose recommended by the brand. Percentages are recalculated for all brands from the amounts in µg or mg and the NRVs of Regulation (EU) 1169/2011¹, whatever basis is shown on the label.

Scoring grid. Each criterion that is met earns 1 point and is marked Yes. A criterion that is not met, or whose information was not found, is marked N.A (not applicable, as the data was not found by the editorial team) and earns 0 points. All criteria have the same weight, 1/8 of the overall score each (12.5%). The position follows from the overall score. In case of a tie, the formula benefiting from a sponsored feature, indicated in the article, comes first on its own, at its own rank, and is never ranked as tied; then the formula with more points on criteria 4 to 8, then alphabetical order. Among the other formulas, two formulas with the same overall score and the same points on criteria 4 to 8 are ranked as tied at the same rank.

Results.

N.A: not applicable, as the data was not found by the editorial team.

Criteria 1 to 3 concern the brand: Arkopharma for Azinc Vitalité. Price is not part of the grid, as it varies by retailer and format.

1. Nutri&Co, a complete formula with vitamins of natural origin

Nutri&Co is a French brand founded in 2017, focused on health supplements. Its Multivitamins combines 25 nutrients in 3 capsules a day and meets seven of the eight criteria of this ranking.

Its key features

• All 13 essential vitamins, including vitamin K2.
• Vitamins A, D and E of natural origin: beta-carotene from the Dunaliella alga, vitamin D3 from lichen at 25 µg (1,000 IU, 500% of the NRV), plant-based vitamin E.
• Active forms: Quatrefolic for vitamin B9, methylcobalamin for B12 and pyridoxal-5-phosphate for B6.
• 150 mg of magnesium (40% of the NRV) thanks to a patented salt (Magshape), with 10 mg of zinc, selenium and coenzyme Q10, without iron, copper or manganese.

The brand states that this product is made in France. It suits you if you want the most complete formula possible and a natural origin for the fat-soluble vitamins.

The other formulas and their strengths

2. Nutripure, well-dosed vitamin C and vitamin D

Nutripure is a French brand founded in 2018, active in sports nutrition and everyday health. Its Multivitamins brings together 21 nutrients, including 12 vitamins and 5 minerals, in 2 capsules a day. It provides 25 µg of vitamin D3 (1,000 IU, 500% of the NRV), 216 mg of vitamin C (270%), 10 mg of zinc and 32.5 µg of selenium as selenomethionine. Its vitamins B9 and B12 come in active form (Quatrefolic 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and methylcobalamin), and its vitamin E comes from a blend of natural tocopherols. The formula also contains 120 mg of magnesium bisglycinate, coenzyme Q10 and lutein, without iron or copper. The brand publishes a downloadable traceability sheet on some products, such as its creatine, a range of around fifteen organic products, and states that its Multivitamins is manufactured in line with the EN 17444 anti-doping standard. It suits you if you want well-dosed vitamin C and vitamin D in a formula with active forms.

3. Argalys, a single capsule of plant origin

Argalys Multivitamines et minéraux combines 20 nutrients in a single capsule a day, including vitamins K1 and K2. Its vitamins A (beta-carotene), D3 and E are of plant origin, and it provides 10 µg of vitamin D3 (200% of the NRV) and 10 µg of vitamin B12 (400%). Zinc (10 mg) and selenium (50 µg) complete the formula, with magnesium as bisglycinate. The formula is vegan certified, and the brand states that all its supplements are made in France. One box covers a two-month course.

4. Arkopharma’s Azinc Vitalité, trace elements

Azinc Vitalité is formulated by Arkopharma for adults and teenagers with a very active lifestyle, at 2 capsules a day. It provides 12 vitamins, including vitamin D3 at 5 µg (100%) and vitamin C at 120 mg (150%), and stands out for its trace elements: 15 mg of zinc (150%), 50 µg of selenium, 8 mg of iron, plus copper, manganese and chromium. Arkopharma states it has been manufacturing in France since 1980. It suits you if you want a formula rich in minerals, iron included.

5. Fleurance Nature Vitaminéraux essentiels, the simplicity of one capsule

Fleurance Nature’s Vitaminéraux essentiels provides 12 vitamins, all at 100% of the NRV, and 8 minerals in a single capsule a day, preferably taken at breakfast for one to two months. The formula is suitable for vegans, and the brand highlights ingredients of natural origin. It is a simple option if you want to cover all vitamins at their reference value.

Which winter course for which profile

If fatigue is your main concern, the comparison of vitamins for fatigue details the nutrients that contribute to reducing it.

Setting up your winter course, step by step

1. Take stock of your diet: oily fish, eggs, fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts and seeds. If these foods are on your plate every week, part of your needs is already covered.
2. Talk to your doctor about vitamin D if you rarely go outside, are over 65 or have dark skin: they are the one to judge whether supplementation is worthwhile.
3. Choose a single base formula rather than several products. A well-dosed multivitamin avoids multiplying capsules.
4. Add up the doses if you combine several supplements. EFSA has set tolerable upper intake levels, for example 100 µg of vitamin D and 25 mg of zinc a day for adults⁶.
5. Follow the daily dose and the duration shown by the brand, and stop if you notice an adverse effect.

The guide to food supplements recalls the labelling rules to know before buying. A supplement does not replace a varied diet and does not cure any disease. If you are under treatment, pregnant or breastfeeding, ask a health professional before starting a course.

Frequently asked questions

Sources