Natural Flu-Fighting Foods

Americans get a billion colds a year, by some estimates, and there are more than 200 viruses that can cause them. In a worst case scenario, a cold can send you to the hospital with pneumonia, an ear infection, or an asthma attack. Millions get the influenza virus each year, and about 200,000 people develop complications so severe they have to be hospitalized, while nearly 36,000 people die from it. Those over-the-counter cold and flu medicines are iffy at best & don't always work. Luckily, eating & drinking right can help boost your immune system.
1. Black-Eyed Peas These nutritious legumes are rich in zinc, a trace mineral that helps to keep your immune system in working order. Other good choices include: pinto beans, peanuts, roasted pumpkin seeds & wheat germ. 2. Carrots Rich in beta-carotene, carrots help prevent respiratory infections. Dark green vegetables, sweet potatoes, pumpkin & winter squash are other good sources. 3. Tea Green, black & oolong tea contain naturally occurring compounds that reduce the risk of flu, including quercetin, a powerful antioxidant, and L-theanine, an amino acid found only in tea. Decaf teas contain the amino acid, but many herbal teas don't.  However, Omnitrition's Thermo Herbal Tea® contains L-Tyrosine, an amino acid, along with black & green tea. 4. Yogurt Probiotics, beneficial bacteria found in yogurt & other fermented foods, help strengthen the immune system. You can, also, try cottage cheese, kimchi, a fermented Korean dish made of seasoned vegetables, or sauerkraut instead. 5. Tomatoes Vitamin C-rich tomatoes help boost the body's natural defense system in the same way that other citrus foods do. One medium tomato provides 40% of your daily vitamin C. 6. Mushrooms These powerhouses increase the body's resistance to viral infections by boosting the activity of natural killer cells, a vital part of the immune system. Mushrooms are rich in selenium, a nutritionally essential trace element & is an integral part of glutathione peroxidase, an antioxidant enzyme. Low levels of selenium have been linked to increased risk of developing more severe flu. 7. Almonds These are a rich source of the antioxidant, vitamin E, which helps your body fight off viral infections. To maximize the absorption of vitamin E, opt for chopped almonds, almond butter or almond oil. 8. Chicken Soup It may not prevent the flu, but a bowl or cup of soup can help your immune system fight off the virus in its early stages, due to a compound called carnosine. The catch: According to a 2012 study, you need to consume chicken soup throughout your illness to reap its benefit. 9. Wild Salmon It's high in vitamin D, which the immune system needs to kill harmful bacteria & viruses, according to John S. Adams, M.D., professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. Farm-raised salmon has less, but is, also, a good source.
Other foods that help fight cold & flu include: Brazil nuts(with 70mg of selenium) Red wine(Resveratrol & polyphenols in red wine work the same way that beneficial bacteria in yogurt do), Black pepper(Black peppercorns are high in piperine, a compound known for its anti-fever & pain-relieving properties.) Honey(Because it coats your throat, it's a great cold- and flu-friendly sore throat reliever, and its antioxidant & antimicrobial properties help fight infections from viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Buckwheat honey has the highest antioxidant levels, while clover honey has the least. *Warning: Don't give honey to children under one year of age. Their immune systems aren't developed enough to ward off infantile botulism, which is carried in honey spores.) Ginger(This contains chemicals called sesquiterpenes that specifically target rhinoviruses, the most common family of cold viruses, as well as substances that suppress coughing. It's, also, a natural pain & fever reducer & a mild sedative, so it can help you rest when you're sick.) Garlic, onions, and leeks(Combined, they contain dozens of broad-spectrum antiseptic and immunity-boosting compounds. Another plus with garlic is it helps open clogged sinuses.) Citrus fruits such as oranges, tangerines, limes, lemons, & grapefruit(Vitamin C, most commonly found in citrus fruits, is an antioxidant that can reduce cold symptoms by 23%, studies have found. Other foods with vitamin C include: red bell peppers, broccoli, brussels sprouts, butternut squash, papaya, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes.)
	Omnitrition's Immune Defense® Helps Me Support a Healthy Immune System! Let Immune Defense® give your body the support it needs for a healthy immune system. Formulated with Omni-Glucan, Omnitrition's® blend of extracts from 10 Oriental mushrooms, including Maitake, Reichi, & Shiitake(All organically-grown in aseptic conditions & environmentally controlled to ensure they are germ-free & of the highest purity & potency), Immune Defense® is our family's insurance policy. Immune Defense® is an antiviral product that has helped with shingles, as well as, cold sore/fever blisters. *It is suggested that those with auto immune disorders not take Immune Defense®.
	SHIELD® is Omnitrition®'s Very Own Antioxidant! Omnitrition's Shield® is a multivitamin, in capsule form, with a strong mineral base. It should be used in conjunction with Omni 4®. People who cannot take Omni 4®, should definitely be on this vitamin. Antioxidants may help protect the body from harmful free radicals & toxins, that cause damage to cells, thereby leading to such infections & various degenerative diseases like heart disease & cancer. Everyone should take antioxidants! They may, also, be beneficial to people who suffer from allergies & chronic sinus infections.
	OMNI 4® is America's Best Liquid Vitamin! This orange, papaya-flavored drink is a good foundation for all ages, 0 to 100 & older! 1. Helps put balance in your body by helping to get rid of toxins that build up in your system. 2. Most diseases & illnesses may be attributed to lack of proper nutrition. Taking Omni 4® every day will ensure you are giving your body what it needs. 3. It is may be very beneficial to people who suffer with asthma & allergies. Heidi Whitehair of Buckley, WA put her son, who was diagnosed with asthma at the age of one, on Omni 4® liquid vitamins. He has been medication & symptom free for over 11 years.
	Omnitrition's Thermo Herbal Tea® is more than a weight loss product. We like to call it a "Health Tonic".  It contains: 1. Green Tea, which provides a powerful antioxidant & may help protect cells from damage linked to cancer, heart disease & other illnesses. 2. Theobromine may aid in cognitive brain function, memory & well-being. It is, also, a natural diuretic. 3. Synephrine may burn fat, may increase physical performance & may help to build lean muscle mass. 4. DHEA is thought to be anti-aging! It may decrease body fat & pain as it increases muscle tone, mobility, & life span. It may promote well-being, health & longevity, may enhance the activity of the immune system, may reduce heart disease, may improve sleep & may help to prevent cancer, arterial disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease & may help treat Lupus. 5. Tyrosine, an amino acid, is thought to be a mood elevator & suppress appetite, may reduce body fat, may aid in the function of the adrenal, thyroid & pituitary glands. It, also, may help with stress reduction, chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, allergies & headaches. Also, available in sugar-free packets & Thermo Java® for the coffee lover!