Last season’s flu shot was widely regarded as a failure. It was only 23% effective.1
Researchers vowed to do better this season… And the early returns are now in. The verdict?
The new vaccine is even worse. It is just 18% effective so far this season.2
Aside from the fact that is doesn’t work most of the time, the flu shot comes with the risk of side effects. These include muscle aches, fever, and drowsiness.
Here are five better ways to stop the flu naturally.
1. Get More Sun
It’s the best way to get enough vitamin D3. This is critical for keeping the flu at bay. Research shows keeping your blood levels of D3 at 38 ng/mL makes you three-times less likely to get the flu.3
Get a 25 (OH) D test from your doctor. This determines how much D3 is in your blood. If it’s less than 40 ng/mL, try spending 15 minutes in the sun each day. If you don’t have strong sunlight in your area during flu season, take a natural D3 supplement. Aim for 5,000 IUs a day.
2. Try This Salty Trick
A Japanese study reveals gargling salt water may be the easiest thing you can do to avoid the flu. Doing it twice a day cuts risk by almost half.4 This practice keeps your nasal passages and sinuses moist during flu season. That means better immune protection.
Add about half a teaspoon of sea salt to a glass of warm water. Then gargle the mixture at the back of your throat for about 10 seconds before spitting it out.
3. Boost Your Bacteria
Up to 80% of your immune cells are in your gut.5 Without the right balance of bacteria, your immune forces won’t be able to protect you from the flu. New research from the University of Florida shows subjects taking a probiotic supplement are less likely to become ill with the flu.6
Add probiotic-packed foods like kimchi and sauerkraut to your diet to balance your gut bacteria. Eat lots of asparagus and onion. These prebiotic foods provide fuel for the good bacteria you already have.
4. Get This Amino Acid
Cysteine is an important amino acid. You need it to make glutathione, one of the strongest antioxidants in your body. Its supplemental form, n-acetylcysteine (NAC) is one of your best natural defenses against the flu. In fact, an Italian study shows taking it cuts chances of developing a flu by half. It works great for seniors, the group at most risk.7
You can add cysteine to your diet by eating more pastured chicken and turkey. You’ll also get it in smaller amounts from broccoli and onions. If you don’t like these foods, take an NAC supplement. Take 600 mg a day.
5. Keep Moving
Recent research from the U.K. found getting about 2½ hours of exercise a week reduces flu risk by 10%.8
Workouts don’t have to be too demanding. As long as they raise your heart rate and make you break a sweat. If you can take a brisk walk for about 20 minutes a day, you’re off to a great start.
Any one of these natural solutions will help you prevent the flu. Together, they can give you the sort of protection the vaccine can’t.
In Good Health,
Angela Salerno
Publisher, INH Health Watch
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References:
1http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/288153.php
2http://atlanta.cbslocal.com/2015/11/16/flu-vaccine-less-effective/
3http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0011088
4http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16242593
5http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2515351/
6http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Clinical-trial-backs-probiotic-strain-to-help-reduce-cold-and-flu-in-times-of-stress
7http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/erj/10/7/1535.full.pdf
8http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/274165.php