Many people are looking for more effective, natural alternatives to flu shots. This comes in the wake of their questionable effectiveness and their potentially harmful side effects.

Is the flu shot worth the risk and how much protection does it offer?

If you follow these eight steps, you can make your immune system stronger to stave off colds and the flu this winter and year round.

Take Vitamin D.  Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) supplements are 8 times more effective than flu shots!  Take 1,000-5,000IU/day (children), 5,000IU/day (teenagers), 5,000-10,000IU/day (adults).  Have blood levels tested to achieve 50-80ng.

Eat Less Sugar, Grain and Processed Foods and Eat More Fruits and Vegetables.  Sugar, grains and processed foods cause systemic inflammation and impair immune response making it much easier to get the cold and flu.

Drink Green Tea Instead of Soda.  The polyphenols in green tea are antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral.  They have been shown to block viruses from spreading to other cells.

Get Your Chiropractic Adjustments!  Several studies have shown spinal adjustments stimulate the immune system into action to fight foreign viruses and bacteria.

Get Regular, Good Quality Sleep.  Try to get 6-8 hours a night and go to bed and get up at the same time every day. 

Reduce Stress and Have Effective Tools to Manage Stress. When stress builds up it wears on your immune system making you more susceptible. Make an effort to find solutions when stress builds up before it breaks you down.

Exercise on a Consistent Basis.  Exercise helps boost your immune system, increases circulation of immune cells, and is a great stress reliever.

Be Aware of Sick People Around You and Wash Your Hands. When you are around coughing sick people, avoid breathing in their germs. Also, wash your hands to reduce the chance of spreading viruses to your nose and mouth. Avoid anti-bacterial soaps as they are no more effective than regular soap and they contribute to antibiotic resistance.

Sources:

1. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, March 10, 2010.
2. Brennan PC, et al. Enhanced phagocytic cell respiratory burst induced by spinal manipulation: potential role of substance P. JMPT, 1991;14:399-408.
3. Brennan PC, et al. Enhanced neurtophil respiratory burst as a biological marker for manipulation forces: duration of the effect and association with substance P and tumor necrosis factor. JMPT,1992;15:83-9.
4. Selano JL. The effects of specific upper cervical adjustments on the CD4 counts of HIV positive patients. Chiro Res J, 1994;3:32-9.
5. Teodorczyk-Injeyan JA, Injeyan HS, McGregor M, et al. Enhancement of in vitro interleukin-2 production in normal subjects following a single spinal manipulative treatment. Chiropr Osteopat, 2008;16:5.
6. Teodorczyk-Injeyan JA, et al. Interleukin-2 regulated in vitro antibody production following a single spinal manipulative treatment in normal subjects. Chiropr Osteopat, 2010;18:26.

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