100 Healthy Living Tips - #13 - Eat Flu Fighting Foods

Worried about the H1N1 Flu virus? Whether or not to get a Swine Flu vaccination - if you can even find one - is a very controversial subject and a decision each person must make for their family. Whatever you decide, there is another way to help protect yourself from H1N1, or any other viruses - build up your immunity naturally with healing foods.

In Dave Grotto's book 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life, he offers a great list of every day foods you can eat to help build immunity and avoid illnesses like flu and H1N1.

Here are a few of the flu-fighting foods listed in 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life:

• Yogurt - Probiotics encourage healthy bacteria in your system, which fights virus and flu. Look for yogurt which lists "live and active cultures" such as Activia or Danactive.
• Oysters - Contain zinc which is necessary for a healthy immune system. One medium oyster is packed with almost all the zinc needed for a day. Think oyster dressing this Thanksgiving!
• Fresh Garlic - also one of my first remedies if I feel that tell-tale tickle in my throat. Crush fresh garlic (if you don't have a garlic press, put it in a zip loc bag and crush) and let is sit for several minutes to activate the virus-fighting enzymes. I add it to salsa or put on buttered toast. Garlic contains over 100 sulfuric compounds -- powerful enough to wipe out bacteria and infection. Some studies show that those taking garlic supplements suffer fewer colds but I prefer to get my garlic fresh and powerful. Garlic can also help lower high blood pressure and cholesterol.
• Dark Chocolate - Isn't it nice to see something so tasty also helps give you a strong immune system so you can avoid the Swine Flu? Make sure your chocolate is at least 72% cocao, which supports T-cells to increase the body's defense against infection.
• Almonds - I eat a handful of almonds daily as they contain protein and fiber, which are great for maintaining your weight. Almonds help build a strong immune system too because they are a good source of Vitamin E.
• Sweet potatoes and other orange colored foods contain beta-carotene to help boost your immune system and neutralize disease-causing toxins.
• Mushrooms - Every time we feel "something coming on" one of the first things I do is buy some shitake mushrooms and make a delicious chicken soup with them. Dr. Andrew Weil recommends shitake and maitake mushrooms as immune boosting foods. In Grotto's book, he recommends all mushroom types because of their antimicrobial type fiber, which helps activate "superhero" cells that seek out and destroy infections.

Although fresh is always best, we also take Vitamin Shoppe's - Mushroom Complex every day as well to help boost our immunity against flu and colds in winter. I love Vitamin Shoppe because for every dollar you spend, you get points during the year. At the end of the year, your points are tallied and you receive a gift certificate to spend the following January.

A healthy immune system also protects your body from other disease like cancer. For more great foods to help protect your family from H1N1, ordinary flu and colds, as well a other viruses, get your own copy of Dave Grotto's book 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life

100 Healthy Living Tips #8 - Natural Remedies for a Healthy Immune System

Winter and flu season are on the way these healthy living tips will help you build a healthy immune system so you can avoid colds and flu this season. Strengthening the immune system is the key to staying healthy while others around you are getting sick with illnesses like the Swine Flu. Here are some natural remedies you can add to your daily regimen:

• Astragalus - this immune boosting herb is safe for daily use. Add a dropperful of astragalus extract to your daily smoothie or to juice to help increase immunity.
• Get plenty of Vitamin C and flax seed oil
• Drink lots of water to keep your system flushed of impurities, germs, bacteria and toxins.
• Add fresh, crushed garlic to your daily diet to increase immunity. Crush and let it set for 5 minutes to release the immune boosting oils.
• Get plenty of sleep!
• Keep elderberry extract and echinacea on hand to take at the first sign of cold and flu.
• Do deep breathing and try to relax - stress tears down the immune system and leaves you vulnerable to illness and disease.
  

As you can see, most of these simple health tips cost little or nothing and your immune system, you first line of defense against illness and disease, will be strong and vital, protecting you from all the flu and cold germs out there. Just because "something is going around" doesn't mean you have to fall victim to it.

Strengthen your kids' immune systems this winter with these immune boosting tips.


Make these delicious recipes to increase your immunity to illness. Tzadziki or fresh garlic dip, warm lemonade and ginger tea all help keep you healthy during flu season.


See the rest of our 100 Healthy Living Tips - More are added daily.

Boost Your Immunity with Vitamin D

Need to boost immunity to avoid colds and flu? Try adding Vitamin D to your daily diet. Around 80% of Americans are deficient in Vitamin D, and recent studies on the benefits of Vitamin D include protection from certain types of cancer and bone loss due to osteoporosis.

A recent study found that those with the lowest levels of Vitamin D in their blood were 36% more likely to catch a cold or the flu. With swine flu fears on the rise, it makes sense to try this natural immune booster.

The study also found that those with asthma were even more likely to need Vitamin D to avoid colds.

Current recommendations for Vitamin D are only about 400mg to 600mg per day but many experts, including natural health guru Dr. Andrew Weil, recommend between 1,000mg and 2,000mg of Vitamin D daily to help build the immune system and gain the full benefits for preventing cancer and building strong bones.

Although you can get Vitamin D from exposure to the sun, many people are now wearing sunscreen, which prevents its absorption into the skin. Your best bet may be a Vitamin D supplement to boost the immune system. Vitamin D supplements are inexpensive and can easily be added to your daily vitamin regimen.

Swine Flu - Avoid it by Boosting Your Immune System

The recent panic over swine flu is closing schools, canceling church services and scaring everyone. It appears that everybody who contracted Swine Flu in the United States has had a mild case and recovered quickly. However, nobody wants to get the flu. How to avoid getting the Swine Flu? By boosting your immune system which keeps you from ever contracting the virus in the first place.

To boost your immune system and avoid getting swine flu, you can follow simple health precautions, such as washing hands frequently and avoid touching your nose and mouth when you're out in public. You can also take certain supplements and eat certain foods to boost your immune system and avoid Swine Flu.

Boost Your Immune System with these Foods

• Green Tea -Avoid Swine flu by adding 4 cups of this antioxidant packed drink to your daily diet. Drink it hot or cold, with a little lemon juice. Vitamin C, when taken with green tea, boosts the absorption of the antioxidants by 20%.
• Garlic - Garlic is a terrific ingredient in your anti-Swine flu arsenal. Garlic is a natural antibiotic and anitviral. You ahve to eat it fresh and crushed or minced, to bring out the healthful properties. Add it to salsa, salad dressing or on a piece of buttered toast.
• Berries, especially blueberries, acai and gogi berries boost the immune system, but all kinds of berries contain antioxidants.
• Ginger - Ginger in all forms boosts the immune system.
• Honey is also an antiviral and boosts the immune system. Add to your tea instead of sugar.
Do an herbal detox regularly for health and wellness.

Supplements, Natural Herbs and Extracts to Help Boost the Immune System
Here are some supplements and herbal extracts you can take daily to keep your immune system in peak condition and avoid the Swine flu or other illness:

• Astragalus - herbal extract can be taken daily. Try it in an immune boosting smoothie.
• Ashwagandha - an herbal extract that helps the body handle stress and boosts the immune system.
• Vitamin C - I take a powder packet with 1,000 mg per day.
• Vitamin D - besides improving bone health, vitamin D also helps the immune system.
• Take a good multi-vitamin - preferably a whole food vitamin.
  

If you've been exposed to someone who is ill or you feel that first tickle of a sore throat, try these remedies immediately:

• Echinacea/goldenseal herbal extract - I prefer extracts as they hold potency better than pills which can sit on shelves for some time. Echinacea should only be taken about one week at a time or it lose its effectiveness.
• Elderberry extract - or elderberry juice is antiviral and helps to kill the virus before it takes hold. When taking elderberry extract, be sure to eat something with it as it can upset the stomach.
• Eat fresh, minced garlic.
• Add Cayenne pepper to some salsa and make it as hot as you can and eat some. According to Chinese Medicine this helps warm your body and kills germs.
• Add extra cranberry juice, green tea, acai berry or gogi berry juice to your daily routine.
• Drink some Holy Tea to flush toxins, viruses and bacteria from your system. Calli is very effective if you drink it every day as well.

If you get the Swine Flu or any kind of illness, try this recipe:

Warm lemonade

Boil one cup of water, squeeze in the juice of two lemons. Add honey to taste, plus 2 dashes of cayenne pepper. Drink this several times a day until your cold is gone or you have averted it.
Other Natural Immune Boosters to help you avoid Swine Flu:

• Get plenty of sleep to boost your immune system.
• Drink lots of water - This keeps the germs and toxins flushed from your body.
• Exercise - Keep your body in shape for peak immunity.

Boosting the immune system should be a way of life, not just during times of worry over illnesses like Swine Flu. Your immune system protects you from not only minor illnesses, but more serious illness and disease, like cancer and common ailments like allergies. A healthy immune system means you have more time to enjoy life and isn't that what we all want most?

Read more about adding superfoods to your daily diet to boost your immune system

Boosting Your Immune System to Avoid Winter Illness

Boosting the immune system becomes very important as winter colds and flu looms. There are natural things you can do to boost your immune system and stay healthy.

Immune Boosting Food

One simple and inexpensive way to boost the immune system is to add certain foods and drinks to your diet such as:

• Green Tea - packed with antioxidants. Drink 4 cups daily, hot or cold, to boost your immune system.
• Fresh Garlic - Garlic is an antibiotic and anitviral but it must be fresh, not heated or cooked. Place a clove of garlic in a plastic zip lock bag, crush it, and add to a piece of toast, some salsa or your salad dressing.
• Cayennne Pepper - According to Chinese Medicine, to avoid colds you need to heat up the body. Add some spice to your life!
• Berries boost the immune system, especially blueberries - Add berries to your morning smoothie, your cereal, yogurt or any other dishes you already eat.
• Ginger - Ginger in all forms boost the immune system and is a great anti-inflammatory. Drink ginger tea, eat candied ginger or sprinkle ginger powder onto cereal or yogurt daily.
• Honey is also antiviral and boosts the immune system. Add to your tea instead of sugar.

Remedies to Boost the Immune System

If you've been exposed to someone who is ill or you feel that first tickle of a sore throat, try these remedies:

• Echinacea herbal extract - I prefer extracts as they hold potency better than pills which can sit on shelves for some time. Echinacea should only be taken about one week at a time or it lose its effectiveness.
• Elderberry extract - or elderberry juice is antiviral and helps to kill the virus before it takes hold. When taking elderberry extract, be sure to eat something with it as it can upset the stomach.
• Try the fresh garlic on toast.
• Add Cayenne pepper to some salsa and make it as hot as you can and eat some. This helps to burn the germs out of your body.

Here's one of my favorite recipes to boost the immune system:

Warm lemonade

Boil one cup of water, squeeze in the juice of two lemons. Add honey to taste, plus 2 dashes of cayenne pepper. Drink this several times a day until your cold is gone or you have averted it.

Other Natural Immune Boosters:

• Get plenty of rest. If you're tired, your immune system can't protect you as well.
• Drink lots of water - This keeps the germs and toxins flushed from your body.
• Exercise - Keep your body in shape for peak immunity.

Boosting the immune system should be a way of life. Your immune system protects you from not only colds and flu, but more serious illness and disease, as well as common ailments like allergies. A healthy immune system means you have more time to enjoy life and isn't that what we all want most?

More immune boosting recipes