{"id":1266,"date":"2023-01-09T17:31:57","date_gmt":"2023-01-09T22:31:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.floridacitrus.ca\/oj\/?post_type=fdoc-tip&p=1266"},"modified":"2024-06-07T12:00:12","modified_gmt":"2024-06-07T16:00:12","slug":"how-to-support-your-immune-system-during-cold-flu-season","status":"publish","type":"fdoc-tip","link":"https:\/\/www.floridacitrus.ca\/oj\/tips\/how-to-support-your-immune-system-during-cold-flu-season\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Support Your Immune System During Cold & Flu Season"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
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French<\/a><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Imagine this scenario. First, your spouse comes home with a slight cough. Then, your co-worker is out for two days with a stuffy nose and sore throat. Next thing you know, it seems everyone around you is sick. Insert panic here\u2014but don\u2019t fret. We are here to help. We know that staying healthy is important to you and your loved ones. So, how can you prevent yourself from getting sick? Sadly, you can\u2019t, but there are ways to help support a healthy immune system. A healthy immune system is a great defense against catching a cold or flu. We have identified several ways to support your immune system which are especially helpful before and during cold and flu season.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

A healthy immune system is a great defense against catching a cold or flu. When a cold or flu virus enters your body, your immune system begins immediately defending your body against these disease-causing microorganisms. Take every opportunity to make sure you and your family\u2019s immune cells are coated in the strongest armor to fight against those pesky germs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Support Your Immune System Naturally<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Having a basic understanding of nutrients and how they can benefit your immune system will help to support your healthy lifestyle (and possibly avoid sickness from occurring in the first place). Some of the nutrients that help support the immune system, include vitamin C, zinc, garlic, and vitamin D.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Vitamin C:\u00a0Vitamin C is an antioxidant, along with vitamin E, beta-carotene, and many other plant-based nutrients. Antioxidants block some of the damage caused by free radicals, substances that damage DNA.\u00a0Florida Orange Juice is an excellent source of vitamin C, and a good source of potassium, folate, and thiamin. Make sure to include Florida Orange Juice as a regular part of your healthy diet to help support your immune system. Interested in finding new ways to consume vitamin C? See our Homemade Vitamin C Gummies recipe.<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Zinc: One of the not-so-commonly thought of immunity supporters is zinc. Studies have shown zinc to be an effective home remedy for several different aspects of a healthy body including skin care, cognitive functions, improved sensory and overall immune system health. One of zinc\u2019s most vital functions is the production of white blood cells, which are integral in the healing process and can defend your body against a number of infections. As far as the common cold goes, a zinc preparation can be sprayed in the nostrils for helping treat common cold symptoms. Foods high in zinc include beef, lamb, beans and yogurt. Try our Slow Cooker Florida Orange Juice Chili<\/a> that includes a dose of zinc from the beef, vitamin C from Florida Orange Juice and the added benefits from garlic.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Garlic: When you think garlic, you probably think of its strong smell or its ability to defend against vampires. But\u2014did you know that garlic is also a defense against certain viral infections, such as a cold? Garlic has been used for centuries throughout various cultures as an immunity supporter, and although there is limited evidence, is claimed to be a natural anti-bacterial that fights nasty germs that invade your body. Additionally, garlic has long been thought of as a natural expectorant that can help break up mucus and clear congestion. In other words, it may help you avoid a cold and relieve your cold symptoms. Check out our yummy garlic infused Florida Orange Chicken and Corn Pot Pie<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Vitamin D: Did you know that vitamin D also supports a healthy immune system? Vitamin D is produced through UV rays from sunlight and is only naturally\u00a0present in very few foods. Vitamin D is needed for bone growth and bone strength, and may help reduce inflammation and support immune system health. A vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increasing your risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment in older adults, severe asthma in children, and increasing the risk of certain cancers. Here is some good news though, vitamin D can be found in fortified Florida Orange Juice as well as fatty fish, and eggs. If you\u2019re looking for a new recipe to help increase your vitamin D intake, check out our Cedar Planked King Salmon Recipe with a Florida Citrus glaze<\/a>. Use calcium- and vitamin D fortified Florida Orange Juice in this recipe to up your intake of vitamin D.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Continue to support your immune system with these great tips and Florida Orange Juice recipes!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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References<\/h2>\r\n
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  1. https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/druginfo\/natural\/982.html<\/a><\/li>\r\n
  2. https:\/\/ods.od.nih.gov\/factsheets\/Zinc-HealthProfessional\/<\/a><\/li>\r\n
  3. http:\/\/www.webmd.com\/vitamins-supplements\/ingredientmono-300-garlic.aspx?activeingredientid=300<\/a><\/li>\r\n
  4. https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmedhealth\/PMH0013804\/<\/a><\/li>\r\n
  5. https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3249897\/<\/a><\/li>\r\n
  6. Dieticians of Canada. Food Sources of Vitamin D. July 5, 2017. Available at: https:\/\/www.dietitians.ca\/Your-Health\/Nutrition-A-Z\/Vitamins\/Food-Sources-of-Vitamin-D.aspx<\/a><\/li>\r\n
  7. http:\/\/www.webmd.com\/diet\/guide\/vitamin-d-deficiency<\/a><\/li>\r\n
  8. Dieticians of Canada. Food Sources of Vitamin D. July 5, 2017. Available at: https:\/\/www.dietitians.ca\/Your-Health\/Nutrition-A-Z\/Vitamins\/Food-Sources-of-Vitamin-D.aspx<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1322,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"fdoc-health-category":[22],"fdoc-tip-category":[8,21],"class_list":["post-1266","fdoc-tip","type-fdoc-tip","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","fdoc-health-category-healthy-immune-system","fdoc-tip-category-cold-flu","fdoc-tip-category-health-wellness"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridacitrus.ca\/oj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/fdoc-tip\/1266","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridacitrus.ca\/oj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/fdoc-tip"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridacitrus.ca\/oj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/fdoc-tip"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridacitrus.ca\/oj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/fdoc-tip\/1266\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9241,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridacitrus.ca\/oj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/fdoc-tip\/1266\/revisions\/9241"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridacitrus.ca\/oj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1322"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridacitrus.ca\/oj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1266"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"fdoc-health-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridacitrus.ca\/oj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/fdoc-health-category?post=1266"},{"taxonomy":"fdoc-tip-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridacitrus.ca\/oj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/fdoc-tip-category?post=1266"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}