Turn on the news, check a newspaper, talk to friends and family…there’s no denying that the flu is hitting north Texas with the force of a hurricane. Doctors advise rushing out to get the flu vaccine, but keeping your body in tip-top shape will also greatly reduce your risk. The following is a list of the top immunity boosting/flu fighting tips. Even if you can’t do them all, do as many as you can so that you have the best fighting chance. This season, you’ll need all the help you can get:
Vitamin D
1. Adequate levels of Vitamin D are essential for our immune systems to function the way it is designed to. Unfortunately, there are no significant dietary sources of Vitamin D — most of our intake comes from exposure to sunlight. To optimize your Vitamin D levels, you’ll need to take a Vitamin D3 supplement daily. This is the most important step you can take to prevent the flu!
Probiotics
A strong immune system relies heavily on having a healthy, well-functioning gut — and probiotics help keep your gut engine humming. A recent study confirmed that probiotics could help fight off colds. Look for a probiotic with 10-20 billion organisms and take one every day. A quick, tasty and easy way to get some probiotics is to drink an 8 ounce glass of kefir, a yogurt drink. You can find it in most specialty grocery stores like Sprouts and Natural Grocers.
Top Herbs
Immunity-boosting antiviral herbs contain thousands of medicinal compounds that attack viruses with a full spectrum of synergistic substances — and without creating resistant viral strains. Four great antivirals are andrographis, olive leaf extract, grapefruit seed extract and elderberry extract. (Elderberry is a favorite of Manning Wellness Clinic). Use one or several in combination as a prophylactic measure, particularly if you spend time in high-traffic areas such as airports, offices, theaters, etc.
Get rid of the leftover holiday sweets
In other words, avoid sugar and processed foods. Sugar is a poison which, among other things, dramatically decreases immune function — so lay off the stuff. And processed foods? Virtually all of the nutrients get processed right out of them so they do nothing to strengthen immunity. Talk about empty calories!
Eat your salad!
Colorful salads and dark greens are loaded with flu-fighting phytonutrients, so pile your plate high. If you know that you are not likely to eat enough greens per day (1 lettuce leaf on your sandwich helps but doesn’t quite cut it), consider adding a supplement like Juice Plus to your diet. We have Juice Plus available through Manning Wellness Clinic. Click on the link to contact Dr. Manning and find out if Juice Plus is a good fit for you and your family.
Garlic….and more garlic
Not only does garlic repel vampires, it also has antiviral properties and is a known immunity booster. My advice? Dig in! If you’re worried about your breath, eat some fresh parsley–the chlorophyll in the parsley will help neutralize the garlic and to minimize the stink-breath.
Sleep
One key to a strong immune system? Sleep! Get plenty of it to allow the body to restore and repair itself while you rest. Shoot for at least seven hours a night and try taking a 20-minute catnap if you’re falling short.
Get moving
Adequate exercise helps keep your immune system healthy and robust, so keep moving throughout the winter.
Chill out
Reduce stress, particularly during flu season. Do breathing exercises, yoga or simply things you enjoy, to help boost immunity, relieve tension and enhance physical and mental resilience.
Soap and water
Instead, wash hands frequently with good, old-fashioned hot water and chemical-free soap. Skip the antibacterials as they are loaded with toxins and increase the risk of creating resistant bacteria. They also over-dry and crack the skin, making transmission of viruses that much easier.
And a bonus #11…..
Chiropractic
Get regular chiropractic care! Chiropractic helps your body to operate smoothly. Basically, think of your body like a car; with regular maintenance and proper care, your car will run smoothly, without interruption, without interference, and will cost you less in the long run. Chiropractic is it’s own immunity booster because it keeps your body operating smoothly and strengthens your entire system.
