Beat the cold & flu season 

It is that time of year again – colds and flu are in the air and the short days and cold mornings make it hard to get out of bed and exercise outdoors.  Now is a great time to hit the gym and work on your cardio vascular and lung capacity to increase your immunity to fight off colds and flu.

When it comes to protecting yourself from the common cold or flu, eating nutrient-rich food is of crucial importance. Giving your body the right vitamins and minerals to help fend off illness, can usually reduce the severity of your symptoms and help you to get better sooner.

Dehydration is the most common reason bugs tend to stick around and continue to make you feel sick.  If you are suffering from cold-like symptoms, increase your intake of fluids such as 100% fruit or vegetable juices, herbal teas or water.  Vitamin C and antioxidant-rich foods such as oranges, kiwi fruit, berries, tomatoes and red capsicums will also offer positive nutritional benefits in times of health or illness. Fresh fruit and vegetables also have a high water content which will help aid hydration.

Nutritious homemade soup is another power-food linked to nourishing the sick. Soup has high water content but most importantly, homemade chicken soup stock made using chicken bones will contain some of the bone marrow. Bone marrow is thought to have a number of powerful immune stimulating properties which is where the purported healing properties of chicken soup may have originated. Add plenty of vegetables to the mix and you’ll be on the road to recovery.

Finally there are a number of supplements including Echinacea, garlic and a variety of herbs promoted as cures and preventatives of colds and flu. While the jury is still out on many of these supplements, there are a number of powerful medicinal properties associated with fresh herbs in particular which makes them a great addition to your diet whether you’re feeling under the weather or not. Fresh chili, garlic, ginger and parsley are just a few of the ingredients that can be easily added to your favorite dishes which just may help to ward off the winter bugs.

Thought for the month

The difference between the unattainable and the attainable  lies in a person’s determination

Yours in Fitness

Gordon, Kathy and Staff