Fight the Flu with Food

Studies show that adding certain foods can increase your ability to fight off infections, and colds this season.

Here are some things to add to your daily regimen.

Yogurt - Make sure to get real yogurt, whith lactobacillusn and bifudus. Combined, these two friendly power bacteria appeat to stimulate infection-fighting white blood cells.

Garlic: People who consumed a garlic capsule for 12 weeks were 2/3 less likely to catch a cold, and those that did had minimized illnesses. Garlic contains allicin, which is a strong bacteria fighter.

Black Tea: Black teas boosts T-cells, and makes them produce interferon, which isa protein that fights colds and flu infections. Green tea also has similar results.

Fatty Fish: Salmon, mackerel and herring and other fatty fish contain omega-3 fatty acids which increase activity of phagocytes, which are cells that eat up baceteria. Try to get local, sustainably caught fish.

Mushrooms: These tricky fungi contain more than 300 compounds that boost immunity. They rev up white blood cell production, and they make these infection fighting cells more agressive. Shiitake and maitake contain the most compounds. But regular mushrooms will do the trick too, and are more budget friendly.