You've gotten your flu shot, you're getting ready to stand in line for your swine flu vaccine, and you're using hand sanitizer like it's going out of style.
Is there anything more you can do to be ready for the flu season? Actually, yes.
Try getting your immune system ready by bolstering it's ability to fight viruses, including the swine flu, by adding certain foods to your diet.
Bonnie Taub-Dix, R.D., a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, gave AOL Health a list of foods that may help you fight the swine flu.
She says variety is the key. No one food will do the trick. Here is the list:
GarlicWhen you chop garlic, you release a compound called allicin. Allicin contains a potent antioxidant, which helps protect cells from dangerous free radicals.
Taub-Dix recommends adding fresh garlic to your sauteed vegetables.
Yogurt and KefirCertain kinds of bacteria are helpful to your immune system.
Yogurt with live, active cultures contains probiotics, the "good" bacteria. So does kefir, a fermented milk drink made with kefir grains.
A recent study found that probiotics helped increase the body's immune response to viruses.
Taub-Diz also says yogurt is high in Vitamin D. A separate study showed that low levels of vitamin D were associated with a higher risk of respiratory infections.
TeaTea is rich in polyphenols, which are found in plant foods. These chemicals act like antioxidants to protect cells.
Taub-Rix says that white and green teas are the most potent, but all teas will have some benefit.
(Information from AOL Health)
