Fighting the Flu
Every year, up to twenty percent of Americans will get the flu virus and 200,000 or more are hospitalized because of it. The flu vaccines are in short supply again this year so you should look at some additional ways to help protect yourself form the flu.
Protein is very important in the body’s immune system. The antibodies and other elements of the immune system are all composed of protein. Therefore, when your body lacks protein, you are more susceptible to getting sick. Most Americans receive enough protein in their diets but elderly and poor people may not be getting enough protein because of the cost of meat, chewing difficulties, or the hassle of preparing it. Fortunately, these people can get enough protein through alternative foods such as dried beans, tofu, nuts and eggs.
Folate, zinc, iron and vitamins C, E, B6 and B12 also work with protein to keep your immune system working well. It has been proven that an iron deficiency or excessive levels of iron will make your immune system less functional than that of someone who receives the recommended Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) levels.
Zinc has been receiving quite a bit of attention as a possible way to boost your immune systems functionality. The Institute of Medicine recommends that you receive 8 to 11 milligrams per day of zinc, and most U.S. adults meet this recommendation, however, there are many that are mildly deficient. Also, excessive levels of zinc can actually suppress the immune systems functionality as well. Research has found that up to 40 milligrams of zinc per day from foods and supplements is safe. You can find zinc in seafood, meats, dairy products, eggs, whole grains and multivitamins.
Diet and lifestyle seem to be the key factors of maintaining a healthy immune system. A diet that has a lot of fat in it will decrease your immune function, while a very low-fat diet will also lower a persons immune system functionality. Also, a lack of carbohydrates can disrupt your immune system. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, recommends that you regularly exercise to keep your immune system healthy. However, excessive amounts of exercise can actually increase your risk of infection. Drinking enough fluids and getting enough sleep will help your body fight off infections.
Many herbal products and remedies made from echinacea have been said to raise the effectiveness of your body’s immune system. However, studies have concluded that these products are effective as a short-term treatment but do not show any long-term benefit from regular use of the products. While echinacea herbal products may increase your immune systems activity for a time, it does not seem to prevent you from infection later on. People with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis should avoid these products since they increase your immune systems activity.
Products containing live bacteria, known as probiotics, are being studied to see if they might help improve the immune systems function. Probiotics are foods like yogurt or cultured milk that have live bacteria in them. In most cases, immune function tends to decline as a person gets older, however, in one study, seniors age 60 to 83 saw greater levels of immunity after six weeks of daily probiotic intake.
The last bit of advice would be to maintain good hygiene as well. Washing your hands thoroughly and regularly will help keep you from infection. It is also recommended that you avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth even if you wash your hands regularly because bacteria can enter the body from any of these places. Exercising, getting enough sleep and maintaining a balanced diet will help keep you healthy during this flu season.
Protein is very important in the body’s immune system. The antibodies and other elements of the immune system are all composed of protein. Therefore, when your body lacks protein, you are more susceptible to getting sick. Most Americans receive enough protein in their diets but elderly and poor people may not be getting enough protein because of the cost of meat, chewing difficulties, or the hassle of preparing it. Fortunately, these people can get enough protein through alternative foods such as dried beans, tofu, nuts and eggs.
Folate, zinc, iron and vitamins C, E, B6 and B12 also work with protein to keep your immune system working well. It has been proven that an iron deficiency or excessive levels of iron will make your immune system less functional than that of someone who receives the recommended Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) levels.
Zinc has been receiving quite a bit of attention as a possible way to boost your immune systems functionality. The Institute of Medicine recommends that you receive 8 to 11 milligrams per day of zinc, and most U.S. adults meet this recommendation, however, there are many that are mildly deficient. Also, excessive levels of zinc can actually suppress the immune systems functionality as well. Research has found that up to 40 milligrams of zinc per day from foods and supplements is safe. You can find zinc in seafood, meats, dairy products, eggs, whole grains and multivitamins.
Diet and lifestyle seem to be the key factors of maintaining a healthy immune system. A diet that has a lot of fat in it will decrease your immune function, while a very low-fat diet will also lower a persons immune system functionality. Also, a lack of carbohydrates can disrupt your immune system. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, recommends that you regularly exercise to keep your immune system healthy. However, excessive amounts of exercise can actually increase your risk of infection. Drinking enough fluids and getting enough sleep will help your body fight off infections.
Many herbal products and remedies made from echinacea have been said to raise the effectiveness of your body’s immune system. However, studies have concluded that these products are effective as a short-term treatment but do not show any long-term benefit from regular use of the products. While echinacea herbal products may increase your immune systems activity for a time, it does not seem to prevent you from infection later on. People with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis should avoid these products since they increase your immune systems activity.
Products containing live bacteria, known as probiotics, are being studied to see if they might help improve the immune systems function. Probiotics are foods like yogurt or cultured milk that have live bacteria in them. In most cases, immune function tends to decline as a person gets older, however, in one study, seniors age 60 to 83 saw greater levels of immunity after six weeks of daily probiotic intake.
The last bit of advice would be to maintain good hygiene as well. Washing your hands thoroughly and regularly will help keep you from infection. It is also recommended that you avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth even if you wash your hands regularly because bacteria can enter the body from any of these places. Exercising, getting enough sleep and maintaining a balanced diet will help keep you healthy during this flu season.
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