Fight the Flu With These Foods!

H1N1, the common cold, seasonal flu, RSV, sinus infections, pneumonia, measles, tuberculosis, SARS, bird flu, Lyme disease, West Nile —

Stop the madness!  With all of the health scares out there, we may want to wrap ourselves and our family in bubble wrap and never leave the house.  But as much as we imagine disinfecting from head-to-toe anyone who comes within a one-mile radius of our loved ones, it just isn’t possible.  We live in the real world, with real people, with real germs.  That’s life!

The good news is that there are certain things you can do to help give your immune system a boost.  Most of us know that we need to be vigilant about washing our hands.  Getting enough sleep, exercising, and reducing stress can also help our immune systems function better.  And there are certain foods we can eat to give our bodies an edge.

According to EatingWell.com, there’s no magical food or supplement that’s been clinically proven to boost the immune system.  However, eating healthy foods that provide essential vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients will altogether help your immune system run more smoothly and fight off illness and disease:

• Vitamin C: Your skin and mucous membranes are your body’s first barrier to germs, and vitamin C helps keep the skin healthy.  It’s also key in the production of white blood cells and antibodies, which fight infection.  Fruits high in vitamin C include oranges, cantaloupe, kiwi, strawberries, and mangos; vegetables like broccoli and peppers are also good sources.

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Tags: Almonds, Flu Fighting Foods, Immunity Boosting Foods, Vitamin C