According to the CDC, this year's flu is a severe one.

Staying healthy may help prevent the flu. But not all of us will avoid the flu even despite our best efforts.

If you get the flu and are in the high risk group then you should seek medical attention.

If not, try some of these remedies.

1) Vitamin C

While research on vitamin C remains inconclusive, there is a decent amount of studies showing positive results.

Such as this one:

"Overall, reported flu and cold symptoms in the test group decreased 85% compared with the control group after the administration of megadose Vitamin C."

What's a megadose?

"those in the test population reporting symptoms were treated with hourly doses of 1000 mg of Vitamin C for the first 6 hours and then 3 times daily thereafter"

So load up on some Vitamin C to prevent and help treat the flu. It's a low cost treatment with almost no risk.

2) Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays a direct role in our immune system.

"One report studied almost 19,000 subjects between 1988 and 1994. Individuals with lower vitamin D levels (<30 ng/ml) were more likely to self-report a recent upper respiratory tract infection than those with sufficient levels, even after adjusting for variables including season, age, gender, body mass and race"

Add in some Vitamin D with in with the Vitamin C. Again, there's virtually no risk and it's a very low cost treatment.

3) Elderberry

Of all the natural medicines, Elderberry seems to be the most effective anecdotally among my peers.

Research backs it up as well.

One study even found it was just as effect as the Tamiflu!

“The H1N1 inhibition activities of the elderberry flavonoids compare favorably to the known anti-influenza activities of Oseltamivir (Tamiflu®; 0.32 μM) and Amantadine (27 μM).”

4) Sleep

One of the most underrated tools to prevent and treat illnesses.

"Studies show that people who don't get quality sleep or enough sleep are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus, such as a common cold virus. Lack of sleep can also affect how fast you recover if you do get sick.

During sleep, your immune system releases proteins called cytokines, some of which help promote sleep. Certain cytokines need to increase when you have an infection or inflammation, or when you're under stress."

Getting 7-9 hours of sleep (probably closer to 9 if you're sick) is one of the best interventions.

5) Hydrate

Drinking enough water is vital for maintaining overall health.

But with the flu, there is a rise in body temperature. This requires more fluids for the increase in metabolic reactions.

Most importantly, it's necessary to prevent dehydration.

6) Meditate

Meditation improves brain and immune function.

One study even showed it specifically improved influenza antibodies.

7) Stay Home

Prevent harming others by staying home until symptoms subside or wear a facemask when out in public.

Summary

If we want to stay healthy, it's important to be healthy. A sedentary lifestyle, bad diet, lack of sleep, and stress won't keep our immune systems running optimally. And the opposite is also true. Living a healthy lifestyle will help us stay healthy. I guess it's simple when we say it out loud.

And when we do unfortunately get sick we can try these 7 things to recover faster.