It feels like Winter is here and with that, we’ll see more people with colds and flu. When these viruses affect your family, it is common to reach for the chicken soup, and it is actually a good idea. Eating easily digested foods ensures you get nutrients into your system and chicken soup seems to have unique anti-inflammatory properties and may also inhibit mucus production. Top it up with garlic, turmeric and some vegetables and you are onto a winning formula.
For quicker recovery, eat a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meat and fish. Some vitamins are minerals can be used to boost your immune system. Vitamin A, C, selenium and zinc may be helpful in reducing the intensity and duration of winter colds. Foods rich in these vitamins include carrots, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, capsicums, citrus fruits, avocados, nuts, corn and sunflower seeds. Garlic also contains powerful anti-viral properties.
If your diet isn’t rich in these foods, products like Go Healthy Vir-Defence are designed to support a strong immune system and help recovery from winter ills and chills. You can also consider taking a probiotic for a healthy gut flora. As 70% of our immune system is in our gut, keeping it healthy can help keep us healthy.
Getting plenty of rest in bed and keeping your fluids up are also key to a speedy recovery. Fruit juice high in vitamin C may be a great way to boost your energy, keep you hydrated and rid your system of toxins. Hot water with lemon and honey is particularly soothing.
As we’ve all learnt over the last year, if infected it is important to practice good respiratory hygiene to limit the spread of viruses. Wash your hands frequently, cough into your elbow or a tissue and dispose of it carefully and stay home from work or school.