Shoo the Flu

Flu, flu, flu--we can hardly watch television or listen to the radio without hearing something about the flu. Experts are everywhere, all eager to share their opinions. This season we have a new flu challenge-- the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. How can we stay healthy amongst all this adversity?

Consider the following basic preventative measures.

1. Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. One of the easiest ways to avoid colds and flu is to be scrupulous about washing your hands. Use soap and water and scrub for at least 20 seconds. Use a paper towel to turn off the water and open the bathroom door to avoid re-contamination.
2. Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Cough and sneeze into your shoulder or the crook of your elbow instead of your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth to reduce the spread of germs.
3. Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
4. Don’t share drinks, cosmetics, cell phones, etc., with those who appear sick.
5. Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
6. Practice other good health habits.
   o Get plenty of sleep. Lack of sleep can lower the immune system's ability to react when needed and hampers its essential nightly repair work.
   o Be physically active
   o Manage your stress
   o Drink plenty of fluids
   o Eat nutritious food. Plenty of nutritious food is essential to building a healthy immune system. A well-balanced diet provides sources of energy and nutrition.
   o Augment your diet by adding vitamins and other supplements to your daily routine. Vitamin C is useful in warding off colds, but there are other supplements that you should consider as well. Having the immune system working at peak efficiency before getting sick is far more effective than waiting until getting sick.
   

The author suggests other supplements from the Shaklee Corporation. Below is a link that shows the Immune Support supplements. For over 50 years, generations of families have counted on Shaklee to do what no other company can do quite like it—make products that are naturally safe AND proven effective. Shaklee is the the #1 Natural Nutrition Company in the United States. Shaklee products support the immune system to help it respond when needed.*

http://babyboomerhealth.myshaklee.com/us/en/category.php?main_cat=Nutrition&sub_cat=ImmuneSupport

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.