Eat your way healthy

• Seasonal fruits help protect our immune systems in winter. Fruits such as oranges, naartjies, grapefruit and apples provide antioxidant nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin A and folic acid.
• Remember that an intake of at least 5 different fruit and vegetables PER DAY is recommended as part of a healthy balanced diet.
• Help keep flu bugs away by adding freshly chopped garlic into meals when cooking.
• A tea made with fresh ginger, lemon juice and a dash of honey may not only help to prevent sniffles, but is also a soothing way to ease symptoms if you already have a cold.

Boost your immune system

• Increase your fluid intake.
• Stocking up on chicken noodle soup is a great way to stay hydrated.
• Take at least 2000mg of SPAR Goodlife Vitamin C every day.
• SPAR Goodlife Immune Adult caplets and SPAR Goodlife Immune Kids Syrup are both ideal immune boosters.
• Take an adequate but not excessive amount (follow the instructions as noted on the package insert), in conjunction with intakes of vitamins A, C, E, D and B6, zinc, and iron. These essential vitamins and minerals appear to be especially important in maintaining immunity.
• Echinacea purpurea appears to help boost the activity of immune cells responsible for fighting infections.

Cut colds short

• Taking zinc at the very first sign of a cold may help. Zinc lozenges containing 9-24 mg elemental zinc gluconate or acetate every 2 hours at the first sign of a cold can significantly decrease the length and severity of the cold.
• Elderberry extract can help reduce the severity of symptoms and duration of the flu by more than 50%. It contains a variety of plant phytochemicals that possess anti-inflammatory and immune stimulating properties. It also appears to help block the virus from replicating and entering cells.