1. Chestnuts bolster immunity
In both Asia and the Mediterranean region, chestnuts have been popular for centuries. Chestnuts differ from other nuts with their low fat content and high fiber. They have a mild, sweet taste and a crumbly consistency. An excellent source of potassium, folate, vitamins B6 and C, chestnuts strengthen the kidney-adrenal system and bolster the immune system to fight off the flu and combat infections. This flu season, introduce more chestnuts into your cooking: they are good roasted in the oven, cooked with chicken, lamb, beef, or pork, or in any dish with beans and legumes.

2. Stimulate your thymus
Your thymus is a fist-size gland located behind your sternum in the center of your chest.  It plays a critical role in the functioning of the lymphatic and immune systems. It develops over time, reaching peak size when you are in your early 30s, then begins to physically diminish until it shrinks to the size of a pea around age 70. You experience the gland’s waning as waning energy in your body.

To support thymus health, the Chinese use astragalus root. Studies show astralagus is an adaptogen, which means it corrects both high and low metabolic imbalances, acts on invaders wherever they attack the body, and promotes overall vitality. The usual dosage is 100 to 150 mg per day in capsules or you can drink astragalus tincture or tea.

Another way to stimulate your thymus is to use acupressure. With your index and middle finger, gently tap against the sternum (midway between the nipples) 50 times, in the morning and evening.

3. Immune-supporting herbs
You can use the following herbs to help strengthen your immune system:

• Ligustrum has undergone much research recently, which has revealed this herb’s immune boosting functions. Its actions include increasing white blood cell production, phagocytosis, and T-lymphocyte help cell activities.

• Cherokee Rose is traditionally used to protect the body from external pathogens with its astringent properties. It is also one of the highest natural sources of vitamin C.

• Honeysuckle is a natural anti-microbial herb that has been used for centuries to increase resistance and fight against bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.

You can find these herbs in health food stores, online, and at the offices of acupuncturists and Chinese herbalists.

Or look into a formula that combines all of these herbs in one immune-boosting herbal formula, called “Perpetual Shield.”

4. Be healthy with bee products
Royal jelly has long been regarded in Asia as a longevity tonic that enhances energy, virility, and immunity. Rich in vitamins and collagen, royal jelly is used to feed queen bees. An antibacterial protein in the substance, dubbed royalisin, is effective against certain bacteria, including streptococcus and staphylococcus.

Bee propolis is rich in flavonoids that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains terpenoids that possess antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antiprotozoan agents. Not unlike some prescription antibiotics, propolis prevents bacterial cell division and breaks down the invading organism’s cell walls and cytoplasm.

Find royal jelly and bee propolis in enriched honey or in supplement form from herb shops and health food stores.

5. Beta-carotene Builds Immunity
Beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant that improves immune function and promotes mucous membrane health. In fact, a 1997 study conducted by the Institute of Food Research in the United Kingdom suggested that dietary intake of beta-carotene can enhance cell-mediated immune responses. How to get these beta-benefits this flu season? Eat more orange-colored vegetables, including carrots, winter squash, butternut squash, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and yams. Additionally, these are all an excellent source of Vitamin C, a famous immune support.

6. An all-in-one immunity soup
Cook up a broth of shiitake mushrooms, any kind of seaweed, cabbage, any type of squash, carrots, fresh ginger, oregano, and onion in chicken or vegetable stock. Shiitake mushrooms contain polysaccharides, sterols, and coumarin, as well as vitamins and minerals that increase your immune function. Seaweed cleanses the body, cabbage has ability to increase your body’s ability to fight infection, ginger supports healthy digestion, and the remaining ingredients promote general health and well-being.
Eat this soup every other day to build a strong and healthy immune system.

7. Treat Your Body Right
Encourage your body to fight flu and other infections by giving it the care it needs.

• Get at least 7 hours of quality sleep every night. Studies show that your immune system function drops by an average of 60% after just three nights of poor sleep.

• Keep your stress level low with meditation, tai chi, or yoga.

• Dry body brushing daily can activate lymph circulation that is important to clear out toxic debris and stimulate immunity.

• If you feel your immune system has already been compromised and illness is on the way, consider Cold & Flu elixir, which supports recovery as it boosts your immune system.

I hope you find the ways to build your immunity for a winter free from cold and flu! I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.

If you want to avoid getting the flu this winter, follow these 7 proven techniques for boosting your immune system, fighting off germs, and keeping your body healthy…

1. Get enough sleep. Your immune system functions much better when you get enough sleep. Most people really need about 8 hours per night for optimal health. If you’re body is fatigued, it simply won’t be able to fight off the flu virus (or any other infection) very well.

2. Exercise regularly. Exercise helps keep your immune system strong. In fact, a recent study showed that mice who performed mild exercise as soon as they were exposed to the flu virus had much lower death rates. Read about the study here.

3. Avoid sugar. Even small amounts of sugar can significantly impair your immune function, making you more susceptible to a flu infection. A large amount of sugar, such as the amount found in a normal can of soda, hurts your immune function for hours.

4. Drink lots of pure water. Keeping your mucous membranes well-hydrated is a key to helping them fight off viruses. Shoot for about eight 8-ounce glasses per day.

5. Reduce stress. Too much stress has a highly negative impact on your overall health and, over time, it will make you much more susceptible to a flu infection. Studies show that prolonged stress is at least partially responsible for 90% of all illness and disease. Regular exercise and sufficient sleep both help reduce stress levels. Also, meditation is a proven stress-buster that is easy, enjoyable and can be used on a daily basis.

6. Wash your hands often. Also, carry a bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you and use it frequently, especially after you touch anything that others have touched recently (like doorknobs).

7. Eat immune-boosting foods on a daily basis. A healthy diet, including a few proven immune-boosting foods, is one of the best ways to avoid catching the flu. The best flu-fighting foods are:

* Fresh, organically grown fruits and vegetables - Brightly colored fruits and vegetables are packed with healthy phytonutrients that can strengthen your immune system, lowering your susceptibility to the flu virus.
* Fresh raw or lightly-cooked garlic - Garlic has strong natural antiviral properties that can help to fight off a flu virus. Also, garlic provides a strong boost to your immune system, especially when eaten on a regular basis.
* Green Tea - Like garlic, green tea has shown the ability to both kill viruses and to stimulate the immune system to fight off flu infections, especially when used daily. Try to drink 3-6 cups of strong green tea per day during the flu season.
* Cayenne Pepper - Cayenne has a long list of health benefits and is believed to be a mild immune-booster. Also, cayenne contains large amounts of natural vitamin A, considered to be an important “anti-infection” nutrient.

The following techniques have been shown to help minimize your exposure to the flu virus and reduce your odds of getting sick.

1. Keep your hands away from your face and head. The flu virus enters your body through the eyes, nose, mouth, and possibly even the ears.

2. Get fresh air every day. During the winter the dry heat from indoor heating systems dries out your mucous membranes and makes you more susceptible to viruses. If you can, during the day, crack open a window or two to give your body some relief.

3. Drink little or no alcohol during flu season. Too much alcohol impairs liver and immune function, which leaves you open to all kinds of infections. Heavy drinkers are especially susceptible to flu infections. Also, alcohol dehydrates your body which is always bad during flu season.

4. Don’t smoke… and avoid smoke-filled places. First and second-hand smoke significantly impairs your immune system. It also dries out your nasal passages and paralyzes cilia, the small hairs in your nose and lungs that help keep out viruses.

5. Take regular saunas. Many experts believe that taking a sauna several times a week can help to keep you from getting the flu. Many people, especially in Europe, takes saunas just for this reason. The air you breath in a sauna is too hot for cold and flu viruses to survive.

4 Surprising Foods

If you couldn’t get a flu shot this year and you’re worried about avoiding a dangerous bout of the virus, take a close look at your daily meals and make sure you’re eating a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, complex carbohydrates, and low-fat protein. “A healthy diet combined with frequent exercise and adequate sleep is the best defense against flu,” says Pat Vasconcellos, registered dietitian, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association in private practice in Boston. Vasconcellos also stresses the importance of washing your hands numerous times a day to keep your body germ-free, including after you eat one of the flu-fighting foods on our list.

Black Currants

They may not be as popular as oranges, but black currants are one of richest sources of vitamin C you can find — around 2,000mg of vitamin C per 3.5 ounces, more than three times the recommended daily intake for adults. Getting enough vitamin C is crucial because it helps prevent infections and helps keep the immune system healthy. So keep your eyes peeled for both entree and dessert recipes that call for black currants.

Recommended serving size:
2/3 cup: 28 calories

Pork

The “other white meat” contains high levels of zinc and selenium, both of which help keep your immune system strong. Pork is also one of the best sources of B vitamins and contains only a little more total fat than beef. So when your family is sick of beef and you’re looking for a quality protein source, try a pork entree instead.

Recommended serving size:
3.5 ounce tenderloin, raw: 122 calories

Grapefruit Juice

Mix up your morning breakfast with a glass of grapefruit juice instead of orange juice for a vitamin C-rich drink that’s both sweet and tart. However, you should check with your doctor if you’re on certain medications for blood pressure, AIDS, anxiety, or hay fever, as mixing grapefruit juice with certain drugs can lead to dangerous toxicity.

Recommended serving size:
Scant 1/2 cup: 33 calories

Brussels Sprouts

Your kids might turn their noses up at the site of them, but Brussels sprouts are a great source of vitamin C, as well as fiber and folate. They boost anticarcinogenic glucosinolates, which have important cancer-fighting properties. Serve them lightly steamed, or include them in beef stew for a flu-busting boost of nutrition.

Recommended serving size:
3.5 ounces: 42 calories
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4 Trusty Staples

Yogurt

Research shows that one cup of yogurt a day may work to keep the gastrointestinal tract healthier, which can help ward off flu. Plus, recent studies show that regular consumption of dairy products like low-fat yogurt may help you lose weight. Look for yogurt that contains the active culture L. acidophilus, which is helpful in fighting off yeast infections. And be sure your yogurt’s label says it contains live cultures, as the cultures are what have the positive effect on your GI tract.

Recommended serving size:
Plain low-fat, one cup: 112 calories
Low-fat with fruit, one cup: 122 calories

Potatoes

An American staple and one of the cheapest sources of vitamin C, potatoes can round out any meal with high amounts of potassium and fiber, too. The skin contains the most fiber and the flesh just under the skin contains the most vitamin C. It’s important to use fresh potatoes, as they contain more vitamin C than potatoes that have been sitting around in your cabinets. Also, be aware that soaking potatoes in water causes them to lose their vitamin C.

Recommend serving size:
Boiled, 2/3 cup: 72 calories

Whole Wheat Pasta

Complex carbohydrates, like those found in whole wheat pasta, are an essential part of a healthy diet that will keep your immune system strong. Whole wheat pasta is also rich in niacin, fiber, and iron. Whip up the same recipes that you used for white pasta, but substituting the whole wheat version instead.

Recommended serving size:
Scant 1/2 cup: 162 calories

Cashews

A good source of immune-boosting minerals like zinc, selenium, and iron, cashew nuts are also quite high in protein. Just be sure to consume them in moderation, because nuts are high in fat and calories. However, most of the fat in nuts is unsaturated.

Recommended serving size:
1/3 cup shelled: 287 calories