Fight flu with food

Health departments around the country are reporting a shortage on the H1N1 vaccine and are recommending the elderly, children under 18 and pregnant women have first access to the vaccine.

This means women between the ages of 40 and 65 will be among the last to receive the vaccine, so it might be smart to look at alternative methods to fight the flu this season.

Medical experts at The Cleveland Clinic say strengthening your immune system can help fight off illness including the flu, whether you are exposed to the H1N1 strain or the regular seasonal flu.

Some ways to boost your immune system include exercising, getting plenty of sleep and eating a diet rich in antioxidants and nutrients.

Nutritionists at the clinic suggest starting off slowly and striving to make healthier choices continuously. Some suggestions for incremental improvements include replacing red meats with healthier seafood options, using only olive oil in cooking and eating more fruits and vegetables.

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Diet Right

As women age and their metabolism slows many seek to maintain a healthy weight with the latest fad diet, but experts warn not all diets are created equally.

Some of the most popular diets disregard proper nutrition guidelines, and some are just difficult to follow.

"Diets are just that,” said Stella Volpe, a registered dietitian and research associate with the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, “They are fads that people typically can't stick with.”

Although studies show maintaining a healthy weight can decrease incidents of heart disease, diabetes and even cancer, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention says 67% of adults in the United States are overweight.

In an attempt to make sense of the many diet options available, dieticians and weight loss experts weigh in on the 10 most popular diets to see how they stack up practically and nutritionally.


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Got Veggies?

Typically women reach for calcium supplements or dairy foods to help fight osteoporosis, but proponents of a low-acid diet suggest fruits and vegetables can be more effective in fighting the disease.

A diet high in protein can change the alkaline/acid balance in the blood, which causes the body to eliminate needed minerals including potassium and calcium, experts say.

“The primary virtue of a low-acid diet may be its emphasis on fruits, vegetables and whole grains,” says Joan Salge-Blake, a nutrition professor at Boston University and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Assn. "A plant-based diet is not only good for bones, it's good for a lot of other things too, including lowering the risk of hypertension, stroke and heart disease.”

Some studies suggest following a low-acid diet could reduce the risk of fractures in old age by as much as 30 percent.

Additional research is required, but if proven, the low-acid diet theory could change the way doctors counsel women over 40 years old regarding calcium intake and bone loss due to aging.

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