4 NATURAL Flu Fighters

We’re smack dab in the middle of flu season—and it’s BAD this time.

According to the CDC, this is the worst flu season we’ve seen in 15 years… with 24 million cases of the flu, 310,000 hospitalizations, and 13,000 flu-related deaths.

Information like this should have you ready to take action… but NOT the rolling-up-your-sleeves kind.

Instead, here are four key flu fighters you can use to build your body’s natural defenses against the flu.

Boosting your immune system involves supporting immune cell growth, regulating your immune system response, strengthening your immune barriers, and more.

There are key nutrients that your body needs to ensure these systems perform at the top of their game.

Research shows that getting plenty of the following nutrients can reduce your risk of infections like the flu.

The first is vitamin C.

This vitamin has earned its reputation as an immune booster because it promotes the production and function of white blood cells, your body’s first line of defense against bacteria, infections, and other invaders.

Research shows that vitamin C reduces the risk of getting the flu, shortens its duration, and reduces its severity.

The second is vitamin D.

Vitamin D helps balance your immune system, which means it makes sure your body responds to threats without overdoing it.

Research shows that vitamin D helps protect against acute respiratory infections.

Get more vitamin D from sun exposure and from eating more eggs, fatty fish, and mushrooms.

Next is zinc, a mineral necessary for the growth and function of your immune cells. In fact, research indicates that these cells require zinc to do their job of recognizing and eliminating infections.

You can increase zinc by eating more beef, shellfish, beans, and nuts.

Finally, we have probiotics. With over 70 percent of your immune system located in the gut, it only makes sense that improving your microbiome’s health increases the strength of your immune defenses.

By strengthening your gut barrier, probiotics (good gut bugs) stop harmful substances from getting into your bloodstream. They also stimulate your immune cells and inhibit the growth of pathogens.

Research shows that probiotics reduce the risk of flu.

You can increase beneficial gut bacteria by eating more fermented foods like sauerkraut and pickled veggies.

P.S. FDA declares popular decongestant USELESS.

View Sources

Weekly US Influenza Surveillance Report: Key Updates for Week 4, ending January 25, 2025 – CDC FluView, CDC. gov