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Diet To Prevent Cold and Flu?

  • 25-08-2010 9:33am
    #1
    ordinary_girl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 850 ✭✭✭


    I know they're almost an inevitability, but it looks like I'll be having a busy year ahead of me and I want to prevent getting colds or flus as much as possible. I've had colds and flus basically every year at winter and have used things like echinacea (did nothing for me!) so would like to know if diet changes may be the key?

    Is there anyone here who's gone a year or two without flus or colds who can offer advice ? I really want to do my best to prevent getting colds this year. Also, I'm vegetarian (don't know if that makes a difference?). Thanks!


Comments

  • #2
    El_Dangeroso
    Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 5,620 ✭✭✭El_Dangeroso


    There are a few things you can do to help maximise your immunity.

    Avoid vegetable oil and ensure a good intake of omega 3. Omega 6 oils such as sunflower oil, soybean oil, corn oil or anything generically labelled as 'vegetable oil'. Omega 6 is such an effective immuno-suppressant that they used to use sunflower oil in the early days of kidney transplants, so avoid that. Take a good veggie omega 3 supplement (get the vegan DHA one, flaxseed oil is at best mildly effective, at worst rancid.)

    Vitamin D supplementation somewhere in the region of 2,000-5,000IU has been shown to prevent certain types of influenza. Best thing is to start with 4,000IU for 12 weeks and then get your blood levels of D and calcium checked, adjust accordingly.

    Get enough sleep and reduce stress. Stressed out people get sick more often.

    There are lots of other little tiny things you can do but those three are the biggies.


  • #3
    gaoife
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 281 ✭✭gaoife


    Hi Rest energy

    Garlic is a great immune boost, i take a one a day capsule if im getting a cold along with a vit c tab but i also try to get lots of garlic in my food :)


  • #4
    ApeXaviour
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,523 ✭✭✭ApeXaviour


    Temple_Grandin wrote: »
    Vitamin D supplementation somewhere in the region of 2,000-5,000IU has been shown to prevent certain types of influenza. Best thing is to start with 4,000IU for 12 weeks
    I just want to second this... it's the reason sunnier climates tend not to get so much flu (exposure to sun lets you produce your own). It's also far better for you to supplement than go to a bloody tanning bed!


  • #5
    El_Dangeroso
    Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 5,620 ✭✭✭El_Dangeroso


    ApeXaviour wrote: »
    I just want to second this... it's the reason sunnier climates tend not to get so much flu (exposure to sun lets you produce your own). It's also far better for you to supplement than go to a bloody tanning bed!

    I'm not actually so sure about that anymore.. There's more to UVB light than vitamin D. There's other phytonutients generated by the exposure to UVB light too. Pity tanning beds give you wrinkles though..


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