Articles > Fighting the Flu

At least one out of every 10 Americans come down with the flu each year, usually between late fall and early spring. Along with the miserable symptoms the flu brings, it often throws households into chaos, causes lengthy absences from work and leaves its victims in bed for several days.

Unlike the common cold, the flu comes on abruptly - patients often say that they feel like a truck hit them. The most prominent initial symptom, besides fever and aching, is a dry cough. Sore throat is less prominent with the flu.

The worst flu symptoms usually pass in three to five days, though some symptoms may linger longer, leaving a health person feeling weak for seven to 14 days. A severe case of the flu can lead to more serious illnesses such as pneumonia, bacterial infections in the ear or sinus or bronchitis.

To help combat this virus, it is recommended that children and anyone over the age of 50 takes a flu shot. The best time of the year to get the flu shot is October and November; early vaccination gives the body time to become immune to the flu before the flu season starts in December.

Tips on Fighting the Flu

Lots of Sleep = No Flu
The fact that a certain amount of sleep is required in order to remain healthy cannot be repeated enough. Not only does sleep help you stay alert throughout your day, but it also helps your immune system stay strong. Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night, and you'll be less susceptible to the flu.

Take Your Vitamins
• Vitamin C (500mg) taken once daily. Although the recommended daily intake (RDI) for Vitamin C is only 60mg, many researchers now recommend a minimum intake of 200mg due to the high depletion levels experienced in a body that is exposed to psychological stress, exercise, passive smoking, pollution and alcohol consumption. Poor cooking and food processing methods leach naturally occurring Vitamin C from our foods and so many people fall way short of adequate intake.
• Zinc (5-10mg) taken once daily or 15mg every other day. The UK RDI for Zinc is 9.5mg, although the Americans suggest 15mg. In this case, more isn't necessarily better, as over consumption of Zinc on a long term basis can cause Copper deficiency. Unless you eat a lot of sea foods, especially oysters and muscles, it is very unlikely that you will over-consume Zinc, so a supplement of 15mg every other day will put you head and shoulders above the rest of the population without leaching out your copper
• Cod Liver Oil (500mg) taken once daily. This supplement contains 110% of your RDI for Vitamin A (800ug) and 50% of the USA recommended daily allowance (RDA) for Vitamin D (2.5ug). Whilst Vitamin A has been proven to help support the immune system, Vitamin D hasn't, but it is good for your bone health, so there's a bonus for you! As Vitamins A and D are fat -soluble, an active cyclist who is meticulously careful not to over-consume on fatty foods could easily be deficient in these vitamins. The good news is that is that the calories in a standard serving of Cod Liver Oil are insignificant, but you still get your vitamin dose. More good news is that Vitamin C helps to retain Vitamin A within the body and interestingly, Zinc deficiency impairs the absorption and utilization of Vitamin A, so all of these supplements help to support each other. You can take Cod Liver Oil in capsule form or off a spoon.
• Odorless Garlic Pearls (100mg). You can't overdose on garlic, but fresh garlic or products that have not had the odor releasing properties removed can make you very unpopular with your pals. Odorless garlic does have fewer properties than those present in its natural form, but these pungent properties are only useful if you are actually suffering from a cold. Garlic, as well as providing circulatory benefits, significantly enhances immune function and research studies with AIDS sufferers have shown staggering results in garlic's favor.

Germs are the enemy
Restrain yourself from sharing cups and utensils with others. It may be tempting to get close to your girlfriend one night, but if she's got the sniffles, you'd better stop yourself from getting too close for comfort. Also, wash your hands when you arrive home, and especially before you eat.

Stay away from stress
Being stressed is never good for your health, but if you follow the aforementioned steps such as sufficient sleep and regular exercise, you'll also be lowering your stress level -- thereby killing two birds with one stone.

Closed spaces
Being in a confined space such as an office or bus is practically a breeding ground for germs. You don't need to be a complete germaphobe and walk around with a surgeon's mask, but if you see someone who is constantly coughing and sneezing -- especially without covering their mouth -- don't stay close to them.

Exercise
Exercise is very healthy for your body, in many ways. By exercising regularly, you're not only developing muscle mass and strength, you're also making your immune system a heavyweight champion.

Water does the body good
How many times have you heard that 8 glasses a day is good or you? Probably every day. This habit is a good one for your body in many ways, as it washes out your system, and is needed in order to maintain a healthy diet and a clear, healthy complexion.

Herbal treatments
Some believe in the power of alternative medicine such as Echinacea (which is said to prevent a cold or flu from developing), but there is no scientific proof that it is actually effective. If you decide to use it, take it when the first symptoms of a cold or flu are experienced, as it only helps in treating the flu once you are already in the first few stages. Unfortunately, it is not used as an everyday method of prevention.

Remember that the flu is something that everyone gets once in a while, and there is no 100% guarantee to prevent it. But if you want to decrease your chances of being stuck at home with a pesky flu, use these tips. That doesn't mean you can't still call in sick once in a while...

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