A Holistic Approach to Colds & Flu.

Follow these preventive measures for A healthy new year

If the cold and flu season went as quickly as the holidays, we would all be in the clear by now. Instead, the next few months are likely to challenge the health of many. Not only are we faced with an array of cold and flu bugs, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued an alert about a slowdown in flu vaccine production. As a result, as many as 76 million high-risk individuals may not be able to get flu shots in time to be effective. CDC says the vaccine will be available to high-risk individuals first, and mass vaccinations will be scheduled later, although towns and cities have been plagued by flu vaccine shortage and distribution problems.

Of course, you don't have to be in a high-risk category to be struck by colds or the flu. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid, or at least minimize, the effects. Let's start with the most basic. Now that you've had a chance to eat, drink and be merry, it's time to refocus on the essentials of good health. A well-nourished body means a strong immune system, an absolute necessity when it comes to fighting off colds and flu.

If you feel the symptoms of a cold coming on, take Grandma's advice and have a bowl of chicken soup. Researchers at Nebraska Medical Center discovered that both homemade and some canned chicken soups block a type of whiteblood-cell overstimulation that causes inflammation and leads to some upper respiratory cold symptoms. Round out your diet with plenty of water, herb teas and juices.

Here's another idea: When planning meals, start by including foods that are rich in natural immune system boosters, like vitamins A and C. While citrus fruits and juices such as orange and grapefruit are obvious choices, pineapple has a higher vitamin C content and lower acid content, making it easier on the stomach. Also, eating light meals throughout the day helps maintain a steady, hunger-free supply of nutrients, without overloading the digestive system.

KEEP ACTIVE

The hectic holiday season is a notorious workout killer, but now that life is getting back to normal, there's no excuse for not exercising. If you've made regular workouts one of your New Year's resolutions, give it high priority. Moderate exercise is a great way to get your immune system in shape for fighting the free radicals that erode our overall health and well-being and make us vulnerable to colds and flu.