Naturally avoiding the flu is easy to do. I have done it year after year with no flu shot and you can too. In this video, I discuss what I do and what I teach my clients to avoid the flu naturally.
Let’s face it though; getting the flu is not a death sentence. Sure it’s uncomfortable, but we shouldn’t be hiding behind closed doors or afraid to come in contact with other people simple because we have the flu. Keeping your immune system strong and healthy is the best way to combat the flu.
You see, most people get the flu around the holiday season. This is typically the time of extreme weather. In some parts of the world, it is extremely rainy, cold, hot…but equally, everyone gets the flu. If you blame getting the flu on the cold temperature, then you might be scratching your head at this point, wondering why people in 80º Hawaii also are getting the flu.
A major thing that all the world happens to do around this time of the year is celebrate. We celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Each one of these holidays requires us to attend at least one party each. And as a result, we get a lack of sleep and wear down our bodies. And, let’s face it: with all the shopping trips and late night parties, extra financial stress and expectations, our bodies are on overdrive.
Reversing these poor lifestyle choices and making a conscious effort to make better, health-enhancing decisions like the ones listed below can improve your immune system function and help you naturally avoid the flu.
T-Cells are the cells that actively participate in the immune response. There are many studies that show that T-cells go down (immune system decreases) and inflammatory cytokines go up when we are sleep deprived. Studies also show that we have an increased risk of bacterial infections when we don’t get enough sleep. This is why we are at a greater risk of getting the flu with a lack of sleep. Make sure you are getting the optimal 7-8 hours of sleep at night, and don’t be afraid to catch a nap on a relaxing Sunday afternoon.
There is an abundance of data to support the lack of sun exposure during the winter decreases our vitamin D levels, making us more susceptible to the flu. Vitamin D is essential in immune system function. It is a core raw material that the immune system uses to operate correctly. There are receptors on the immune cell that require the attachment of vitamin D to produce Anti-Microbial Proteins (AMP). These AMP’s are anti-virals and kill the flu virus. Vitamin D up-regulates genetic expression of effectors that attack viruses, bacteria, and antigens.
Do yourself a favor and load pack more fruits and vegetables on your plate. Antioxidants are a key player in boosting the immune system. Antioxidants protect against free radical damage and reduce inflammation in the body. You can find high doses of these free radical fighters in fresh organic vegetables and fruit, cage-free eggs, and grass-fed meats. Specifically, look for green leafy vegetables that are rich in color.
To naturally avoid the flu, you have to remove the elephant in the room: sugar. Sugar is directly responsible for decreasing immune function and impairing your nervous system. Be cautious of sweetened drinks, refined carbohydrates that turn to sugar in the body, and of course the obvious, desserts and candy.
During the holidays, we all get a little more busy and stressed, and fail to make it to the gym. A study presented at the Integrative Biology of Exercise showed us that exercise changed the T-cells into a more disease-fighting state and improved circulation of T-cells throughout the blood. As reported in Medical News Today, exercise increases the release of growth hormone, allowing our bodies to heal faster, which ultimately boosts our immune system.
At the end of the day, if we get the flu, experience a fever, ad stay up all night vomiting, this just our body expressing health. I say that because, if our bodies were sick and we didn’t vomit out the bad stuff, burn off the bacteria, or react in any way, we would die. Modern healthcare leads us to believe the flu is a scary, dangerous thing, but it’s been around for years and is not going anywhere. For those few elect that choose to follow the above guidelines, you can kiss your flu days goodbye and enjoy the holiday season in good health.
Full article on how to avoid the Flu is here.
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