Protect Yourself Against The Flu

‘Tis the season to wish people, “Happy and healthy holidays!” but flu season is here. A health wish will not help anyone escape the flu, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm.
According to CDC data, the flu virus has caused between 9.2 million and 35.6 million illnesses in the U.S. each year since 2010. Those cases resulted in between 140,000 and 710,000 hospitalizations, and between 12,000 and 56,000 deaths each year.
While the experts are unable to predict how hard we will be hit, if you are trying to protect your loved ones from falling ill you should know a flu shot may not help you this year, as outbreaks are being attributed to the low efficacy of the vaccine.
Flu shots are “based on predictions” and they contain preservatives and additives that lower the immune system and are not that healthy (formaldehyde, mercury, MSG, aluminum, http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/additives.htm) which is why I myself do not have a lot of faith in them but I do understand why high risk individuals might want to get a flu shot.
There is always good reason to be concerned especially for Children, the elderly and anyone with a compromised immune system who are at highest risk.
The best defense against the flu is a strong and healthy immune system.  Keep your immune system strong: relax, sleep and de-stress, eat foods that support your immune system and use supplements. A hectic lifestyle and poor nutrition over time will weaken your body.

• Stress affects hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline, norepinephrine and immune cells (T-cells, natural killer cells and neutrophils) and acid-base balance.

On a daily basis, boost your immune system.
Simple Immune Boosting Plan:

• Try stress reduction techniques such as deep breathing, listening to relaxing music, guided imagery, breaks to get up and walk away from the stressful area, journaling  and anything that takes you to a good place. Laughing is a great way to combat the physical results of stress.

 

• Sleep, for adults seven to eight hours of sleep a night will help keep your immune system on track and children and teens  should shoot for nine or more. According to the mayo clinic, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lack-of-sleep/AN02065, “during sleep, your immune system releases proteins called cytokines, some of which help promote sleep. Certain cytokines need to increase when you have an infection or inflammation, or when you’re under stress. Sleep deprivation may decrease production of these protective cytokines. In addition, infection-fighting antibodies and cells are reduced during periods when you don’t get enough sleep.”

 

• Eat foods to strengthen the immune system and supplement to keep the body nourished. A weak immune system needs more vitamins (B-complex, C , D vitamin) and minerals (zinc, potassium, magnesium potassium)  and creates an environment that needs antioxidants, healthy fats like Omega 3 fats and supplements.

When you nourish your immune system with sleep, good food and less stress, it will repay the favor by keeping you well during flu season. Over the next few weeks, I will focus on keeping you naturally healthy by better understanding the immune supporting body organs along with foods and supplements.

Related articles

• Flu epidemic strikes millions of Americans already vaccinated against the flu | The Shocking Lack of Evidence Supporting Flu Vaccines | What’s in flu shots? Aluminum, mercury, MSG and formaldehyde (truth11.com)
• New York declares flu emergency amid national epidemic (rawstory.com)
• Should you Get the Flu Shot? (nourishingwayscenter.wordpress.com)