01/21/2013
Here is a great article from JJ Virgin, author of the "Virgin Diet" on how to bypass the Cold and Flu Season
JANUARY 10, 2013 BY JJ VIRGIN
You’ve confidently avoided the nasty flu that forced half your coworkers to call in sick last month, but your receptionist’s hacking cough and sniffling signal doom that you’ll soon succumb to whatever virus she has.
Take control now and you’ll minimize your risk. You can’t completely become virus-proof, but with these 5 strategies you’ll be far less likely to crash and burn during the menacing cold and flu season.
1.Spend more time beneath the sheets. Just 1 terrible night’s sleep can raise your stress hormones and lower immune function. Poor sleep also increases your appetite, making you crave sugar, which further weakens your immunity. You need 7-9 hours of high-quality sleep each night to boost your immune system. Power down an hour before bed, take a hot bath with chamomile tea and a trashy novel, and take an herbal based natural sleep aid if you really have trouble getting solid shut-eye.
2.Stress less. Ever notice how an argument with your significant other or a brutal week at work can bring on a cold or flu? Stress does its damage by lowering natural killer (NK) cell activity (a major player in a healthy immune system), raising fat-storing cortisol, and depleting vitamin C. If you can’t eliminate stress, then reduce its impact with a massage, yoga, meditation, or whatever else can create added bliss.
3.Step it up. One study found moderate exercise could increase your body’s macrophage production, which helps strengthen your immune system. Contrary to what you might hear, running, aerobics classes, and treadmill marathons all raise cortisol, which can break down muscle and weaken the immune system. (You probably know a compulsive runner or spin-class fiend who’s always sick.)
4.Get the right breakfast. Starting your day with the right nutrients and keeping balanced blood sugar levels are your best dietary defenses against nasty colds, flus, and whatever other viruses are going around.
5.Optimize your D. Researchers at the University of Copenhagen found vitamin D can activate your immune defenses. Without sufficient vitamin D, your immune system has a difficult time fighting infections. You’re probably not making enough D from sunlight during winter months, and few foods contain optimal levels, so supplementing with a high-quality vitamin D is your best bet.