Winter is here, so the time is now to focus on boosting
immunity. One of the strategies you can use to combat the common cold and flu
is diet.

The best way to keep yourself strong during flu season is to
eat plenty of fruits and vegetables each day, including those which strengthen
immunity.

Oats and barley are two good choices. These grains
contain a type of fiber called beta-glucan which has antimicrobial
capabilities. It can also speed wound healing and may help antioxidants work
more effectively.

Both garlic and onions are antiviral and have been show to
increased immune function while probiotics, or “live active cultures,”
found in yogurt keep the intestinal tract free from disease-causing germs.

We also can’t forget about good ol’ vitamin C. Whether
vitamin C is effective at preventing a viral infection that will cause a cold
is still being debated, but research has shown that increasing vitamin C intake
can reduce the length of a cold and decrease the severity of those symptoms.
Strawberries, oranges, blueberries and kiwi fruit are all good sources of vitamin C.

Shellfish including oysters, lobster and crab help white
blood cells produce proteins that help clear flu viruses from the body, and
omega-3-rich salmon, mackerel and herring reduce inflammation, increasing
airflow and protecting the lungs from respiratory infections.

Tea – both black and green – have also been shown to bolster immunity, but to maintain the strongest immune
system possible, combine a healthy diet with regular exercise and stress
reduction. That equation is the best formula for staying healthy this season.