Daily Dose

• The Importance of Vitamin D
• 
• Strategies for Healthy Living During Perimenopause and Menopause
• 
• Antioxidants - Benefits to Our Overall Health
• 
• Shingles
• 
• Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Fish Oil
• 
• Surviving Spring Allergy Season
• 
• Agave - The Sweet Alternative
• 
• Prostate Health
• 
• Coenzyme Q10 and Heart Health
• 
• Selecting a Sunscreen
• 
• Top Five Tips for Flu Prevention
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Top Five Tips for Flu Prevention

Prepare for the arrival of flu season with these prevention tips.

1. Get a Flu Vaccination
The Center for Disease Control recommends “a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.” Anyone over 6 months should consider getting vaccinated but especially those at high risk, including pregnant women, young children, those with chronic health conditions, and anyone over 65.

Visit the CDC for more pointers.

2. Keep Germs at Bay
The flu is spread through germs, so the more you can take care to avoid coming into contact with - or passing on - germs, the lower your flu risk. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Avoid touching your face – especially mouth, nose, and eyes. And cover your nose and mouth with a tissue, or your inner elbow, when you cough or sneeze. (Coughing into your hand increases the odds of spreading germs.)

3. Eat Healthy
Dark green, red, and yellow fruits and vegetables are filled with the vitamins you need to give your immune system a boost. Yogurt contains beneficial probiotics and bacteria that may help stimulate the immune system and fight disease. Garlic has been shown to increase resistance to infection and stress. And chicken provides zinc – a vitamin necessary for proper immune function. (Don’t forget to stay hydrated too! Water is essential to keeping your body healthy and flushing out toxins.)

More on foods to eat for cold and flu prevention.

4. Exercise Regularly
Moderate amounts of aerobic exercise during flu season have been shown to boost the body’s defenses against viruses. Jogging, brisk walking, or cycling – any type of aerobic exercise – can help transfer oxygen from your lungs to your blood and cause you to sweat out poisons.

Read more at msnbc.com.

5. Take Supplements
Vitamin D is especially important for staying healthy during flu season as it supports immunity and helps prevent illness. Seventy percent of your immune activity resides in your GI tract and taking a probiotic can support GI health. Elderberry has also been shown to be effective in combating flu viruses.

Come in and talk with our staff about which supplements might be right for you.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.