Is the flu shot really necessary?
There’s a lot of controversy surrounding flu shots. A lot of people claim it is unnecessary, but the population essentially feels forced into getting it when there really may be no need.
The recommendation is that certain people who are at risk really need the flu shot. This includes those with chronic diseases, the very young, women who are pregnant, people who are older than 65, and anyone with a compromised immune system. If these groups get the flu, it could have lasting and even fatal consequences.
For a normal healthy person, the flu shot is still recommended, but for those that wish to avoid it, there are other ways to fight off flu season. The flu vaccine injects your immune system with a few types of dead flu viruses, which causes your immune system to build up antibodies and, therefore be able to recognize and fight the flu virus should the body be exposed. This, however, can be ineffective if the virus you contract is different. There are also some rare, but serious side effects of the flu vaccine due to a preservative present in the vaccine called Thimerosal.
The flu isn’t all that scary. It’s common, the symptoms are easy to identify and there are many ways to fight it. If you’re not at risk for developing a complication, the flu is simply an annoying inconvenience while it hangs around.
3 Natural Ways to prevent the flu
You can try to avoid the flu by changing or improving your diet to boost your immune system and following these helpful tips:
1. Avoid processed foods, as they don’t have any helpful nutrients, and get plenty of fruits, vegetables and healthy fats such as oily fish or avocados. Also shop organic wherever possible as pesticides weaken the immune system too.
2. Vitamins C and D have been known to improve your immune system, so get plenty of citrus fruit as well as an additional Vitamin D supplement.
3. Green tea is also a great way to help your immune system. It contains polyphenols, plant antioxidants, which have been shown to kill influenza. Drink it plain, or add a little honey or lemon.
As you can see, antioxidants are the body’s best defense against not only the flu, but against disease too. Vitamins A, C and E are antioxidant vitamins so be sure to take these every day. A full spectrum multivitamin is a good way to ensure your body receives all these vitamins. Fruits and vegetables are all loaded with antioxidants too and a good rule to remember is that the brighter and more vibrant the skin of the fruit or vegetable, think vibrant blueberries, the higher the antioxidant content.
- There are a few myths people believe when it comes to beating the flu. Don’t feed a cold or starve a fever. Keep your nutrient intake the same and healthy when trying to prevent or treat the flu. Rest when you’re sick, but don’t just stay in bed all day. People who get a little bit of exercise have reported feeling better faster than those who just rested.
Don’t take antibiotics for your flu. They are only for bacterial infections, not for viruses. Lastly, even if you don’t have a fever, you could still be contagious. In fact, a lot of people can spread the virus in the first day, before they have any symptoms.
Here is one of our best tips should you contract the flu virus:
Stay hydrated!
Water helps all of the body functions run smoothly. You can drink water, tea or juice but stay away from caffeine as it’s a diuretic. Chicken soup isn’t just a stereotypical remedy, it has actually been shown to work on colds and the flu. Not only is it filled with good ingredients, the warmth and steam helps open up the sinuses. Get enough rest and sleep, let your body do its work.
1 natural remedy we swear by…
Raw garlic!
Raw garlic kills all bacterial as well as viral infections in the body. Make sure to chop or crush a clove before consuming as it will give the alliinase enzymes in garlic a chance to activate, which will provide you with more intense health benefits.
Raw garlic kills all bacterial as well as viral infections in the body. Make sure to chop or crush a clove before consuming as it will give the alliinase enzymes in garlic a chance to activate, which will provide you with more intense health benefits.As long as you take good care of yourself with exercise, healthy eating and proper stress control techniques such as meditation or yoga, the flu should not be something you need to worry about. Even if you were to catch it, if your immune system is strong your body will be able to fight it off faster so that you can get back to being yourself again!
