The winter months are often a time of festive cheer. Unfortunately, they also bring an increase in the number of illnesses brought on by an array of different reasons. One of the illnesses that we are all familiar with is the influenza virus, also known as the flu.

The flu affects many millions of people each year, and can put a real damper on your holiday plans. With the coughing, runny nose, fever, chills, and body aches, the flu is certainly something you want to try avoid during the season. What's more alarming than just feeling miserable is the fact that for some people, having the flu can be more costly than they may think. Let us explain…

It's no surprise that the flu season is one of the most lucrative times of the year for the big pharmaceutical companies…also known as Big Pharma. If you've been following the Xtend-Life blog you may have read about the scaremongering and swine flu paranoia created by the media in order to help fill the pockets of Big Pharma.

With many of our readers living in the northern hemisphere, this time of year tends to be very cold with dry air helping germs and microbial nasties to move around more freely. The cold weather tends to keep people indoors and in closer proximities to one another than in summer, ultimately increasing the risk of transmitting and infecting each other with the flu.

Despite all of this and what the media might tell you, getting a flu vaccination is not essential. In fact, just look at the following reasons why you should think twice about the flu vaccine:

Flu vaccinations are generally ineffective and totally ineffective against new strains of the influenza virus. In 2004, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the year's flu vaccine had "no or low effectiveness" against influenza or influenza-like illness. As immune suppressors, these vaccines may actually put you at a greater risk of infection…and not just from the flu virus. Influenza type A or B is only responsible for about 20% of all illnesses that resemble the flu. The rest are actually caused by over 200 different viruses meaning that the flu vaccine just will not work. Flu vaccines are a cocktail of chemicals and toxins. Almost all flu shots and vaccines contain Thimerosal, a mercury disinfectant / preservative. Those vaccines that don't contain Thimerosal, still contain loads of other toxic ingredients…what's more scary is that Big Pharma still heavily promotes the flu vaccine to children and pregnant women.

Back in 1980, only 15% of the elderly in the US got the flu vaccine. Now, this rate has skyrocketed to an unbelievable 65 percent! Some people say that this is because the elderly are at more risk of getting the flu, however some studies have noted that part of the claimed "effectiveness" of flu shots is due to the fact that the people taking them are already in good health in the first place.

You cannot beat the best vaccination of all time…a healthy immune system. But how do you get an immune system that's in tip-top condition?

Well, Madelynn Loo, Xtend-Life's Lead Nutritionist says that people should consider a good supplement protocol such as our Total Balance, Omega 3 and Kiwi-Klenz for their excellent immunity supporting properties.

She also recommends the following 6 points to help boost the immune system.

Madelynn's 6 Tips for a Stronger Healthier Immune System:

1. Eating plenty of raw, preferably organic fruits and vegetables. Juicing is a great way to add dense nutrients.
2. Cutting out refined simple sugars and carbs that suppress the immune system. Excessive sugar increases insulin levels, which is one of the fastest ways to get sick and to age prematurely.
3. Optimizing Your Vitamin D levels through exposure to sunshine to boost the body's T cells which seek and destroy invading bacteria and viruses.
4. Exercising regularly. Exercise improves the circulation of immune cells that neutralize pathogens throughout your body.
5. Relaxing! Stress especially for prolonged periods, suppresses immunity.
6. Sensible hygiene using ordinary soap and water not anti bacterial soaps with dubious health benefits.

Remember no flu vaccination will prevent you from getting the sniffles and sneezes, only a strong immune system brought on by living a healthy lifestyle.