Healthy Diet
A healthy diet provides the immune-boosting vitamins and minerals needed to keep your body functioning well during flu season. Aim for five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
Vitamin C is a powerful immunostimulant that works to destroy invading bacteria and viruses. It also helps white blood cells function well.
Get Enough Sleep
Your immune system is like a powerful search-and-destroy task force, constantly patrolling to detect and destroy bacteria or viruses that can make you sick. A healthy diet, moderate exercise and getting enough sleep are key to keeping your immune system functioning well.
Lack of sleep leads to a suppression of immune fighting cells and increases your risk for catching a cold or the flu. In addition, poor sleep may increase the duration of illness and severity of symptoms.
Exercise Regularly
As you take stock of your medicine cabinet and plan for cold and flu season, it’s important to remember that the best way to avoid illness is to keep your immune system healthy.
The best immune boosters are whole foods, sleep and moderate exercise. Other ways to support your immune system are by washing your hands frequently, reducing stress, getting adequate rest and taking daily supplements such as probiotics, vitamin C and omega-3 fatty acids.