It’s that dreaded time of year again - winter has arrived in full force and most parts of the country are shivering as rain, snow and frost make our lives miserable. Added to this, is the plague of colds, sore throats and worst of all, the dreaded flu. Luckily there are some precautions and preventative measures that we can take to ward off these illnesses.
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How to prevent flu
You can prevent yourself from contracting flu by taking a number of precautions, having your doctor innoculate you with flu vaccine, and eating the right foods.
Precautions include not coming into contact with people who are already infected. This is practically impossible because people are most infectious before the first symptoms appear. On the other hand, it's a good idea to stay at home from work or school if you have the flu so that you don't spread the infection. This is not only considerate towards your friends and colleagues, but will also hasten your recovery. If you are ill, you should stay in bed and rest, not totter around at work sneezing and coughing.
Influenza vaccinations are a good idea for young children, the elderly, anyone who is suffering from other illnesses or who is likely to be badly affected by flu (asthma, lung and heart patients) and people living in large communities such as army barracks, school hostels, etc. Contact your doctor and discuss this option.
Foods that boost immunity
Mother Nature has also given us a number of foods that can help to build up immunity so that we are able to fight infections like flu. These foods include the following:
Foods rich in vitamin C - oranges, lemons, grapefruit, pawpaw, strawberries, guavas, cabbage, broccoli, green peppers
Foods rich in beta-carotene - pumpkin, sweet potato, butternut, broccoli, spinach, yellow peaches (fresh and dried)
Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids - fatty fish, and omega-3 enriched foods
Foods rich in zinc - fish, seafood, especially fresh and canned oysters, meat, poultry, eggs, cheese, milk, peanut butter and unprocessed grains and cereals
Foods that contain certain fermentation organisms, such as Lactobacilli - yoghurt and products that contain viable Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria cultures, such as: Lactiflora or Acidoforte which contain Lactobacilli, Bifidoflora or Bifidoforte which contain Bifidobacteria, and Intestiflora or Intestiforte which contain a combination of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria to boost immunity in general
Infection fighters Vitamin C and beta-carotene are two of the most powerful antioxidants found in food. Antioxidants stimulate immune function and help our bodies fight diseases and infections.
Omega-3 fatty acids have a similar function and yoghurt products, which contain live Lactobacillus and/or Bifidobacterium cultures, boosts immunity by stimulating the body to produce substances called cytokines, which are involved in fighting infections.
Zinc is an essential trace element that also stimulates the body to fight infections like flu.
Supplements that boost immunity
Generally speaking, I believe that anyone who eats a well-balanced diet, does not need supplements. However, people in the categories mentioned above who are exposed to greater risk of contracting flu and/or having serious side-effects, should consider taking a complete vitamin and mineral supplement.
Make sure that the supplement contains vitamin C, beta-carotene, and trace elements like zinc and selenium. The latter trace element also has a protective effect on immune function and is not always present in foods. Some popular breakfast cereals have recently been enriched with selenium. Take omega-3 capsules (salmon oil or cod liver oil) and try to eat a cup of yoghurt a day. Use the low-fat variety if you are scared that eating a milk product every day will push up your fat and cholesterol intake.
Now that live cultures of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria can be purchased in capsule form at most health shops, you can take these capsules on a regular basis to boost your immunity.
Our grandmothers were not so silly after all when they made their children take a spoonful of cod liver oil every day. Nowadays we don't need to hold our noses and swallow bravely, fish oil capsules are taste- and odourless.
If you do contract flu, take extra vitamin C (fresh orange or grapefruit juice) and a zinc supplement, and stay in bed and rest. No running around, just plenty of rest and warmth and you will get over this unpleasant illness a lot faster.
By eating correctly and taking some precautions, you stand a good chance of avoiding the unpleasant illnesses of winter. - (Dr I.V. van Heerden, DietDoc)
It’s that dreaded time of year again - winter has arrived in full force and most parts of the country are shivering as rain, snow and frost make our lives miserable. Added to this, is the plague of colds, sore throats and worst of all, the dreaded flu. Luckily there are some precautions and preventative measures that we can take to ward off these illnesses.
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