Immune Health: 4 Tips To Help You Stay Ahead Of The Cold And Flu Season

Immune health is an important part of our well-being. I find the time between January and Spring to feel like the longest stretch of Winter. While I love getting outside, the cold usually has me wrapped up inside, usually in close quarters with others.  All this time spent indoors also brings with it an increased susceptibility for illness. Being cooped up inside, surrounded by a chorus of coughing and sneezing is never a good thing, especially when it comes to our health.

While the Corona virus has us all talking, and is important to keep in mind, this year’s seasonal flu is really what we should be thinking about. Don’t let the cold and flu season catch you off guard!  Prepare yourself and your family by taking measures to support your health and stay ahead of this year’s cold and flu season!

Here are 4 easy suggestions you may want to start now to get your immune system ready for this long stretch of winter.

Digestive Health: Did you know that 80 percent of your immune system is in your gut microbiome? Maintaining a healthy digestive system is one of the best ways to support your microbiome (gut flora) and thus your immune system. 

Be sure to eat a wide range of fruits and vegetables this winter, including lots of dark leafy greens, berries, onions, and garlic. It may also be beneficial to add in fermented foods that contain probiotics and prebiotics like Simply Inulin prebiotic fiber.  Adding spices such as ginger, cumin, turmeric, and oregano to your food may also help to not only improve your digestion, but also benefit your immune system due to their antibacterial properties.

Get Some Vitamin D: Sufficient levels of this fat soluble vitamin can help prevent many different health concerns, including Seasonal Affective Disorder, and strengthen your immune system.

While we naturally get vitamin D from sunlight exposure, this can be difficult in the winter when we spend many hours indoors, bundled up.

Talk to your Naturopathic Doctor about whether it might be beneficial to test your serum Vitamin D levels and get a recommendation for supplementation with this important vitamin.

Wash Your Hands: This cannot be emphasized enough! Washing your hands is the easiest way to prevent the cold and flu. Be sure to speak to your children about the importance of washing with soap and warm water to help keep those pesky germs out of the home.

Clear Your Nasal Passages: Bacteria and viruses become airborne when others around us sneeze and cough. Our nasal passages are one of the first entry points for the cold and flu virus.

Try rinsing your nasal passages to help flush away mucus and debris. Keeping your nasal passages moist can also help prevent symptoms such as pain and nose bleeds.

There are plenty of over the counter nasal rinses and sprays available, talk to your Naturopathic Doctor about which one is right for you.

Don’t let this season’s ugly viruses and bacteria sneak up on you. Get your body ready to fight back by supporting your immune system. For more specific immune supporting options please contact Dr. Linda Shih, ND, here at Spine Stretch Studio. I look forward to helping you on the road to wellness!

Author: Linda Shih

Dr. Linda Shih, ND is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor who is passionate about preventative and personalized health care, always striving to understand the root cause of her client’s conditions and concerns. She hold an Honors Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Toronto, a Diploma of Naturopathic Medicine from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Toronto, and is a member of the College of Naturopaths of Ontario.
Naturopathic Doctors are considered primary care physicians, and while Dr. Linda Shih maintains a wide scope of practice in her family clinic, she has a special interest in pain management, infertility, as well as digestive concerns.
Using a variety of different modalities, including acupuncture, botanical medicine, and nutritional counseling, Dr. Shih, ND, always aims to help her clients achieve their best health, both now and for the future.