Shanna has studied herbs, nutrition, healthy eating and naturalist studies through courses and self-study for 10 years. She writes about traditional diets and how to prepare them, debunks health myths, and shares what she has learned through her free newsletters. To learn more click here The Natural Living Site
As you sift through the daily news about the H1N1 Swine Flu, you might ask: what natural remedies can we take if we get this flu? Boosting your immune system through diet is the best place to start and a good idea to practice daily. Here are 4 supplements that may prove beneficial before and during the swine flu:
- Vitamin D—Recent studies show that vitamin D is essential to boost your immune system and fight off influenza. Sunshine is the best way to get your vitamin D. But most of us who work indoors do not get enough sun throughout the day. And it’s almost impossible to get enough during the winter. Best sources after sunshine is a good quality cod liver oil or vitamin D3 capsules.
- Vitamin C—Another essential vitamin in boosting and maintaining the immune system. It is destroyed through heat, so the best sources are good quality citrus fruits like grapefruits, oranges, lemons and limes. Other sources are papaya, tomatoes, lacto-fermented sauerkraut and herbs like rose hips and pine needle tea that are rich in this vitamin. Vitamin C is also available in capsule form.
- Olive leaf extract—This is the leaf from the olive tree. It is anti-microbial and anti-viral and used by many in the herbal field to combat the flu. Olive leaf enters into an infected cell and stops viruses from replicating. It is available in capsule or liquid form.
- Probiotics—These are the good bacteria to put back into your digestive system. A healthy digestive system protects you from catching a lot of diseases. The best form of probiotics is in raw or unpasteurized yogurts and kefir. Commercial yogurts do not have the same benefits since they are pasteurized. These good bacteria will build up your immune system to prevent or shorten respiratory problems, so be sure to eat them every day.
For these to be the most effective they need to be a part of your daily diet to build your immune system up before you are exposed to the flu. Start now to get on fresh whole foods. Eliminate processed sugars and junk foods. If you get the flu, you can increase your dosage of these supplements since your body is using the reserves to fight the virus.
©2009 Shanna Ohmes
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