| In the U.S. alone, between 25 and 50 million people | | | | regularly. One study, reported by the UK Tea |
| get the flu each year. 150,000 people are | | | | Council showed that green tea can protect in two |
| hospitalized and 30,000-40,000 die. So, it's clear | | | | ways. First, green tea suppresses the growth of |
| that getting the flu is a significant health concern. | | | | influenza cells. Secondly, green tea actually kills off |
| Most of those who are hospitalized or die from | | | | the influenza cells. |
| the flu are the very young and the very old; so | | | | And, one thing that's so great about green tea - it |
| flu prevention is even more essential for this | | | | can protect against many strains of the flu virus. |
| population group. If you're concerned about | | | | The flu vaccine each year just protects against |
| preventing the flu virus this year, here are some | | | | that year's most prevalent strain. |
| things you can do to reduce your risk. | | | | Green tea has recently garnered much attention |
| Flu-related deaths usually result from pneumonia | | | | for its ability to prevent disease and protect |
| and from complications of cardiopulmonary | | | | health. Research has shown that green tea's |
| conditions and other chronic diseases. Deaths of | | | | powerful anti-oxidants are the key to preventing |
| older adults account for more than 90% of | | | | serious illnesses like cancer and cardiovascular |
| deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza. | | | | disease. |
| Get a Flu Shot - Flu shots are highly effective at | | | | In addition, it's been shown to regulate blood |
| preventing the most prevalent strain of flu virus | | | | sugar, which means it may have significant |
| each year. For anyone who interacts regularly | | | | potential in controlling diabetes. And, it has many |
| with the public, and particularly for school age | | | | anti-microbial properties, and may have the ability |
| children who are exposed to all sorts of germs | | | | to kill or prevent other viruses besides the flu. |
| each day, this is an important step in staying | | | | Anti-oxidants are powerhouses for our health. |
| healthy throughout the flu season. It is a | | | | Each day, as our body converts the food we eat |
| necessary step for the elderly and children three | | | | into energy, free radicals are created. These free |
| years old and under, who are those most likely to | | | | radicals damage our cells and DNA, creating a |
| develop serious complications from the flu. | | | | process called oxidation throughout our bodies. |
| Wash Your Hands - The single most important | | | | If this oxidation is allowed to continue over the |
| thing you can do to prevent catching a contagious | | | | years, it leads to disease and early aging. But, |
| illness is to keep your hands clean. Wash your | | | | anti-oxidants neutralize these free radicals, |
| hands frequently, using warm water and | | | | preventing them from doing their damage. |
| anti-bacterial soap. | | | | So, eating a diet rich in anti-oxidants is one of the |
| Use Tissues - When you sneeze or cough, be | | | | best things you can do to protect your health. |
| certain to cover your mouth and nose with a | | | | And, green tea is one of the best sources of |
| tissue. Let the tissue catch the germs and throw | | | | anti-oxidants around. In addition, anti-oxidants can |
| it away immediately. | | | | be found in fruits, vegetables, coffee, red wine |
| Use an Anti-viral medication - If you find yourself | | | | and dark chocolate. |
| coming down with the flu, see your doctor and | | | | If you're interested in maximizing your anti-oxidant |
| get a prescription for an anti-viral medication. | | | | intake, stick to those foods and beverages that |
| These medications are effective at shortening the | | | | have the most potent anti-oxidants. The best |
| duration of your symptoms. In addition, some | | | | sources include: |
| anti-viral medications can prevent you from | | | | - Tomatoes |
| getting the flu. | | | | - Artichokes |
| These medications are great for those who have | | | | - Blueberries |
| a close family member who has contracted the | | | | - Pomegranates |
| flu, and are certain they have been exposed. | | | | - Green Tea |
| They should not be considered a replacement for | | | | - Asparagus |
| the flu vaccine, but can be used as an emergency | | | | We're learning that protecting our health and |
| preventer if you didn't get the flu vaccine and | | | | preventing disease is really more in our hands |
| know you're at particular risk. | | | | than we've previously realized. We have the |
| Eat healthy - Keeping your immune system | | | | power to keep our bodies young and healthy far |
| strong is critical to disease prevention. A healthy | | | | into our old age, and we have the power to |
| diet, full of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with | | | | prevent short term illnesses, like the flu. |
| plenty of rest will help your body be more able to | | | | The flu season is a nasty period of winter - and |
| fight off germs that come your way. | | | | often wreaks havoc on many families. However, |
| Drink green tea - One little known secret about | | | | with some careful attention to your health, you |
| preventing the flu is adding green tea to your diet. | | | | can prevent the flu and have a healthy and happy |
| Research has shown that green tea is extremely | | | | winter this year. |
| effective at preventing the flu, when consumed | | | | |