Flu Season? How to potect yourself from the flu.

With the change in seasons and the weather getting cooler flu season is quickly upon us. This is the time of year when we start hearing the “flu vaccine” in all of its magical properties. How does the vaccine work, is it effective, and what can you do to prevent developing symptoms of the flu?

Main symptoms of influenza. (See Wikipedia:#In...
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The “flu”, otherwise known as influenza, is a respiratory infection that is spread by coughing, sneezing, talking or even touching surfaces that contain the influenza virus.

Common symptoms of the flu include coughing, sneezing, fatigue, headaches, sore throat and body aches and pains. On occasion low-grade fever may be present as well. This is according to the CDC.

The best defense against fighting flu symptoms is not to have developed the symptoms in the first place. This means that you have to have a strong immune system that is ready and able to fight the flu. They do this by many ways and in particular during flu season you need to be extra vigilant in this process.

Vitamin D is a very crucial vitamin in the body: not only does it prevent osteoporosis and rickets but it also plays a major role in your immune system. As the days get shorter and the nights get longer,  the ability to generate vitamin D the natural way he gets diminished. You get vitamin D by sun exposure, and the ability of the body to make vitamin D depends on both the intensity and length of exposure to sunlight. In the winter, the amount of sunshine is shorter and the intensity is less. This causes  the body to decrease or even stop the production of vitamin D.

Boosting your immune system with proper rest, proper exercise, vitamin D supplements, vitamin C rich foods (this is why oranges ripen in the winter), Fish oils (omega-3 fatty acids), and Echinacea will not only help protect you from the flu, but will also increase your overall health. Additionally you should avoid processed sugars.

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