Fighting Cold & Flu – Volume 1 – (Article 1 of 4)
by Dr. Marli Botha
With winter on our doorstep – it is time to strengthen our immune systems! A good diet is essential. When you eat poorly, you have less food for the warriors (those immune cells) to go out and fight. A diet chronically lacking in nutrients, can significantly impair the ability of the immune system to fight infections.
5 Tips to Fight Cold & Flu:
- Carrots are rich in beta carotene and vitamin A, which helps your body repair a weakened immune system. Try them raw, lightly steamed, roasted, shredded or tossed in salads, soups, meat loaf, muffins and more.
- Kiwis are high in carotenoids, polyphenols and vitamin C. Vitamin C contributes to maintaining the integrity of cells as well as defending them during inflammation. Not a big fan of kiwis? Bell peppers, strawberries and citrus fruits, of course, are just as good sources of vitamin C.
- Pumpkin seeds are very high in zinc, which may be essential to chasing off colds and flu. Research has shown that zinc deficiencies can weaken your immune system. Zinc is also important for T-cell function – another important role of the immune system.
- Ginger is a powerful antioxidant that fight inflammation, especially if you have a sore or swollen throat. Add a little fresh grated ginger to a cup of herbal tea for a soothing drink.
- Cloves are helpful in fighting parasites, which can slow down the immune system response and aid digestion. You can buy clove oil or add cloves to both sweet and savoury cooking.
It is important to mention that no food is meant to be a cure-all for any condition, though there are certainly health and skin benefits contained within them. The one thing you should always do before using a new skin care product is to do a patch test to look for allergies and sensitivities.
