April 2013
As the warm, dry weather continues, it's hard to believe that the snuffly season is just around the corner.
To make sure you give your body the best possible chance to defend itself against the onslaught of
winter coughs and colds, now is the time to act.
With a focus on boosting the immune system, this month we look at the research behind the sunshine
vitamin and flu prevention, talk about flu jabs and find out if chicken soup offers more than just cold
comfort when you're sick.
Can vitamin D prevent the flu?
Vitamin D is sometimes called the sunshine vitamin because our bodies produce
it in response to sunlight. The fact that people’s vitamin D levels tend to decrease
in the winter when flu cases tend to increase has led researchers to question
whether the two might be related.
To date, there has not been enough research to prove a link between vitamin D
deficiency and winter colds and flu. However, it stands to reason that if you have
low levels of vitamins D, you may be walking around with a weakened immune
system, which can leave you susceptible to viral infections.
So, how do you know if you are at risk of vitamin D deficiency and how do you
ensure you are getting enough vitamin D? Find out...
Smile - it's flu jab time.
Getting an annual flu jab is seen one of the best ways you can protect yourself
from seasonal influenza. It takes around two weeks to develop immunity once
vaccinated, so ideally you should get your jab before the flu starts doing the
rounds – which means now.
For adults and children with long-term health conditions, pregnant women and
people aged 65 years and older, the flu can have serious complications. For this
reason, the vaccine is free for those in certain high-risk groups until the end of
July.
Find out if you are eligible for a free influenza vaccination.
Cut your risk - control your blood pressure
The focus of World Health Day 2013 is on controlling blood pressure. Having high
blood pressure increases your risk of heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure.
Fortunately, it is both preventable and treatable.
Six simple ways to reduce your blood pressure:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Reduce the salt in your diet
Eat a balanced, healthy diet
Keep to a healthy weight
Exercise regularly
Quit smoking
Avoid harmful use of alcohol
While you cannot feel if you have high blood pressure, getting it checked is VERY
simple. If you are over 35 years old and not had it checked within the last few
years, book a visit to your local GP or nurse.
More on high blood pressure
Does chicken soup really help fight the flu?
Many of us will be fortunate enough to remember our mothers making us chicken
soup when we were home sick on a cold winters day. As a deliciously soothing
comfort food, nothing else comes close. But can such a broth actually possess
health benefits? Dr. Stephen Rennard, MD at the University of Nebraska Medical
Center thinks so, "Although it isn't a cure for the common cold, all of the research
agrees that soup helps to break up congestion and eases the flow of nasal
secretions. Chicken soup also inhibits the inflammatory response causing sore
throats."
Five reasons to eat chicken soup when you’re sick
Old-fashioned chicken soup
Chicken soup is nourishing and delicious. Make it in bulk and keep some in
portion-sized containers in your freezer. The following recipe forms the basis of a
soup to which you can add any vegetable you have on hand. Even peelings or
ends of veggies can be used - save them in a bag in the freezer until you have
enough. If you enjoy your soup a little spicier, try upping the ginger or adding
some chilli. Adding a squeeze of lemon just before you serve gives the soup a
lovely tang.
Ingredients
1 whole chicken
4 carrots
4 celery stalks
1 large onion
2 cloves garlic
1 cm fresh ginger, grated
Salt and pepper to taste
Water to cover
Directions
1. Dice the carrots, celery and onion and put in a large soup pot with the
chicken and ginger. Cover with cold water. Heat and simmer, uncovered,
until the chicken meat falls off of the bones.
2. Take everything out of the pot. Strain the broth. Pick the meat off of the
bones and discard bones. Season the broth with salt and pepper to taste.
Return the chicken meat, carrots, celery and onion to the pot, stir
together, serve and enjoy.
Have a health question?
Visit Health Navigator NZ for some of the best resources and ideas for
keeping well.
Information you can trust by New Zealand health professionals and consumers,
for New Zealanders. Best of all, it's free!
You can also find us on Facebook. Check us out soon!
To view previous newsletters or sign up to receive once a month, visit:
www.healthnavigator.org.nz/newsletters/
This Healthy Tips Newsletter is brought to you by the Health Navigator Charitable Trust.
The purpose is to provide people like you with ideas, tips and useful ideas to share with your families and
whanau to help keep well, learn skills and gain confidence to manage your health conditions better at home
and know when and how to get help when needed.
Health Navigator Charitable Trust · PO Box 87 414, ·
Meadowbank, Auckland 1742