Coming down with the flu in Raleigh? While there may be Raleigh flu counts, the flu virus travels worldwide and often hits many people in the winter. Nothing for the locals can help like getting a seasonal flu shot in Raleigh, however, here are some great supplements that can help protect you, should stray influenza strains or other factors limit vaccine effectiveness. Here are some great foods to help stay healthy and beat the flu in Raleigh NC.
The Best Flu Foods
- Pumpkin Seeds-Pumpkin seeds are packed with zinc. Zinc is a mineral that can help aid your white blood cells in fighting off infections and viruses.
- Green Tea-Hot green tea can help relieve congestion, heal a sore throat and help prevent you from catching the flu in the first place. Green tea has antioxidants that can help your body fight off foreign invaders.
- Tuna-Tuna fish is a great way to help boost your immunity. Tuna contains selenium, which is a mineral that protects cells from free-radicals and can help strengthen your immune system.
- Vegetable Juice-Vegetable juice also has a significant amount of antioxidants that can help boost your immune system.
- Mushrooms-Mushrooms contain beta-glucans. Beta-glucans are a soluble fiber found in many plants. Beta-glucans can help the body fight infections.
- Yogurt-Probiotics are microorganisms in the form of good bacteria. Yogurt is full of probiotics and these good bacteria can help maintain immune system health.
- Garlic-Garlic has antimicrobial and immune-stimulating properties that may help relieve congestion.
- Ginger-Ginger can be a remedy for stomach aches. Some studies have also shown
that ginger can reduce inflammation, which can help ease symptoms of a sore throat. - Sweet Potatoes-Sweet potatoes are already a seasonal favorite. It also happens that they contain vitamin A, which can fight free radicals and boost your immune system as well.
- Citrus Fruit-Citrus fruits are full of vitamin C. Vitamin C has been found to reduce cold symptoms by 23 percent in some studies.
What does Wake Internal Medicine say about the flu?
Many of these flu foods can help your body fight off causes and ease symptoms of the virus. Not to mention, the antioxidant properties in many of these foods can help build your immune system up to fight off many types of illnesses. However, Wake Internal Medicine Consultants recommends that you still protect yourself by getting a seasonal flu shot.
Flu shots are recommended for everyone over the age of 6 months, even if you are diabetic, pregnant or have chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD.
WIMC has seasonal flu shots available and can help protect you and your family from the flu season. Contact our Raleigh, NC office to set up an appointment and get your flu vaccination today.
