Ward Off Colds and Flu This Season

With cold and flu season well underway, it's good to know there are several ways to help boost your body's immune system and fight off winter's woes.

Boosting your immune system doesn't just happen by popping a vitamin or turning to that occasional glass of orange juice. You have to be smart about it. Eating a healthy diet, exercising and even managing stress can go a long way in fighting off colds and flu.

It's nothing new. We all know that eating lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains does the body good. Why? These products contain phytochemicals, bioflavoniods, carotenoids, all of which have strong immune-fighting qualities. If you don't enjoy eating fruits and vegetables, juices are a great way to simply get your five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. When it comes to juice, steer away from juice that contains too much sugar. Look for juice that contains quality vitamins and 100 percent juice. Did you know that foods with saturated fat or with refined carbohydrates (like sugar) suppress the body's immune system? It's true. During the winter season, try to eat as much vegetables, fruit, and whole grains as you can. If you love soup, then soup is a great choice since many contain vegetables.

Fresh produce has always been deemed as a necessity in our diets. Blueberries are actually one of nature's superfruits. Fresh fruits, including blueberries, and even vegetables contain many of these naturally occurring antioxidants such as Vitamins C and E. Blueberries contain 14 mg of Vitamin C and 0.8 mg Vitamin E per 1 cup of blueberries. In addition, blueberries contain anthocyanins and phenolics that can also act as antioxidants. Based on data from the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (Boston, MA), blueberries are among the fruits with the highest antioxidant activity. Using a test called ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity), researchers have shown that a serving of fresh blueberries provides more antioxidant activity than many other fresh fruits and vegetables. (Source: Blueberry.org)

To boost your immune system, you don't need to spend hours in the gym. Actually, too much exercise can reduce your body's natural defenses. Moderate activity, such as walking, can help boost your immune system.

We all know how stress feels. Stress can wear you out and have a negative affect on your immune system. Find a form of stress relief that works best for you. Not getting enough rest can increase your stress level and make you susceptible to getting sick. So, be sure to pack in at least six to eight hours of sleep every night.