Fight Influenza With Nutritional Supplements

Each year, the influenza season generally starts around November and lasts until March. The symptoms of influenza include headaches, fever, chills, cough, body aches, sore throat, stuffy nose, and fatigue. Most people recover within a week or so, but influenza can be serious for babies, the elderly, and people with chronic illnesses. In these cases, people with influenza should see their doctors.

If you come down with influenza this season, there are some nutritional supplements that may help your body and immune system fight influenza. If you take these or any other nutritional supplements, please follow the labels instructions or consult with a health care provider before taking larger amounts:

Vitamin C may help your immune system by stimulating anti-bodies and white blood cells that are needed to fight influenza. Vitamin C in combination with vitamin E may work even better since vitamin C works to repair vitamin E in the body.

Zinc is a mineral that is necessary for many enzymatic reactions that take place in all of our cells. Like vitamin C, zinc is involved in white blood cell production and activation. Some studies show that zinc, along with other anti-oxidants like selenium may help reduce the symptoms of influenza.

Vitamin A enhances immune system function when a person has influenza. Vitamin A's precursor beta carotene is an anti-oxidant that may also help your body fight influenza.

Quercetin is a powerful anti-oxidant found in apple skins and red onions, however it is also available as a nutritional supplement. Quercetin appears to help protect the lungs during a bout of influenza.

Alpha lipoic acid Helps boost glutathione levels in the body. Glutathione is an anti-oxidant that is important for healthy immune system function and may help to inhibit influenza.

Selenium is an anti-oxidant that works well in combination with zinc and other anti-oxidants to help reduce the symptoms of influenza.

General Nutrition
It may be tempting to tell yourself that you should be pampered while you are sick and allow yourself to eat junk food and snacks. Resist that temptation and eat lots of fruits and vegetables to make sure you get plenty of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, while you are sick with influenza.

Tips to Help Prevent Influenza

* There is some evidence that taking vitamin C may help prevent influenza.
* Drink plenty of water to keep your tissues hydrated. Healthy moist membranes are more likely to resist viruses.
* Wash your hands before you prepare food and before you eat.
* Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins, minerals and natural substances that help keep you healthy and may make you less susceptible to viruses.
* Get plenty of rest and practice stress management to help you stay healthy.

Flu season is not time to neglect a healthy diet or abandon your nutritional supplements. If you are healthy, you will be more resistant to the flu, or at least you may be able to reduce your suffering from the symptoms of influenza.