While most healthy adults can recover from a cold and/or flu, our elderly parents whose immune systems don't work as well, may not be able to recover as quickly.  For some, the cold or flu can cause some serious illness leading even to pneumonia.

Eat right and drink plenty of vitamin packed juices. 

1. Eat right:  Make sure that the food you or your loved ones eat is very nutritious.  Stay away from junk food that provide little nutrition.  Foods high in Vitamin C, zinc, Vitamin E and protein will help boost the immune system.

2.  Drink plenty of fluid everyday.  64 ounces (8 cups) per day is the recommended daily intake for fluid.  Anything with caffeine is not considered fluid.  Drink plenty of juice, milk, and water.

3.  A multiple vitamin that contains no more than 100% of the USRDI of all vitamins and minerals is all that is needed.  A vitamin that contains more than 100% will not improve your nutritional status.  What your body doesn't use will be eliminated.  Vitamins and supplements aren't generally needed if you eat right, but if you don't, you may want to consider a multiple vitamin.

4.  Get your shots if it has been recommended by your health care provider.

5.  If your children are sick, keep them home.  Try to prevent the further spreading of the cold/flu virus to those with low immune systems.

These are just a few quick and simple suggestions that you can use to help decrease the occurence of the cold/flu.