The lines for vaccines for both the regular flu and H1N1 snake around clinics across the country. The paranoia surrounding this flu season has reached a fever pitch – no pun intended. But instead of a shot, what if people could boost their immune systems through other means, such as vitamin D?
Science suggests that vitamin D plays a role in beefing up the immune system, even though vitamin C and zinc often get most of the credit. A 1996 report out of Cambridge University suggested that the prevalence of the flu in late fall and winter months is not coincidental. Less sunlight means less vitamin D and, thus, weaker immune systems and more illnesses.
However, physicians in the source article comment that if sunlight – natural and artificial – provides an immune boost, it’s still not the most effective flu-prevention technique. Multivitamins, a balanced diet and sleep are the best ways to keep white blood-cell levels high. Frequent and thorough hand-washing, combined with limiting exposure to the flu, are the best ways to avoid it.
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