The last thing on your Christmas wishlist, I’m guessing, is to get sick.

With five days to go, the flu flying around, and friends and family gathering for the holidays, now is not the time for a health lapse.

We’re told to hurry up and get our flu shots, but does that really work as an elixir against getting sick?

Not really.

Besides coming with a 30% risk that adverse reactions could happen, the flu shot is not really proven to even be effective:

“What the CDC neglects to tell you is that in five recent studies, people who did get the 2008-2009 flu shot were more likely to get the swine flu than those who did not take the poke. Also, with the flu vaccine came three times more risk for hospitalization in children.” Source; American Thoracic Society May 2009

So, with that news, my goal is to give you a quick ‘n dirty on how to beat flu season naturally this year!

:::5 Quick Immunity Boosters::: 

1) Vitamin C

When there’s a fight going on with your immune system, vitamin C is an ally that you absolutely want and need to go to battle for you.

Eat vitamin C-rich foods, such as colorful vegetables and citrus fruits, drink herbal teas (echinacea, chamomile, ginger, etc.) and take 500 mg – 1,000 mg at each meal and/or snack.

If I feel sickness coming on, I typically boost intake to 3,000 mg, 3 times each day, but check with your doctor first.

2) Fish Oil

Your grandpa didn’t grow up taking cod liver oil because it tasted well; rather, because it is one of the most powerful immunity supports!

Bring back this old school health routine – and your vitality – by taking Arctic cod liver in liquid or capsule form daily.

Loaded with anti-inflammatory Omega-3 fatty acids (and some vitamins A and D), it is immunity powerhouse!

3) Vitamin D3

In general, this is a CRUCIAL part to boosting immune and brain function, aiding in strong bones, reducing inflammation, and protecting against cancer.

As a hormone synthesized by our livers from sunlight, it is tough to reach the levels we need during winter months.

According to Dr. Mark Hyman,

“Many need 5,000 IU or more of vitamin D3 a day in the winter. Start with 2,000 IU for adults, 1,000 IU for children.“

4) Probiotics

Our gut/gastrointestinal health is 70% of our immune system. Crazy, isn’t it!?

Thus, to boost your immunity, it’s important to boost your gut with probiotics, species of good bacteria that kill the bad invaders and go to work on getting you healthy.

All probiotics are not the same. Look for brands with normal gut flora like lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, and aim for 5 – 15 billion organisms per capsule. Also, the product must contain living, viable organisms that survive your gut lining, and have benefit once in your body (Elizabeth Lipski, 65).

5) Sleep 

If you’re not sleeping well, your body isn’t able to repair, heal, and restore your body.

Don’t burn the candle at both ends, and aim for at LEAST 7 – 8 hours of sleep. If you feel a bug coming on, aim for another hour or so on top of that to help your body go to battle.

:::

Here’s to you feeling vitally well during the holidays, so that you can soak up memories with previous loved ones, and bring in the New Year right!

References
Lipski, Elizabeth. Digestive Wellness, 4th Edition. McGraw Hill: New York, 2012.