We’ve all read our fair share of immune-system tips this year, but Dr. Linda Golden, of Golden Dental Wellness Center, in Manhasset, has turned hers into a few easy steps to follow as we head into flu season. “Contracting the flu can open your body up to contracting COVID-19, so it’s essential to keep yourself healthy in the coming months,” she says.

First, keep following basic cleanliness protocols, like frequent hand washing and sanitizing. Second, practice a healthy lifestyle: Drink lots of water, get plenty of sleep and exercise outdoors when possible. 

Third, manage stress. “Small changes like a lavender essential oil can help reduce stress, and it makes a great natural hand sanitizer too,” Golden says.

Fourth, make your home’s air cleaner by improving the airflow. 

Fifth, use nutrition as a tool to fight infection. Avoid processed foods, and introduce superfoods, key nutrients, and antioxidants.

“Probiotics are a great way to boost gut health and total-body immunity,” Golden says. “Fermented foods are key here, as 75 percent of the immune system lives in the gut. Additionally, reach for whole grains and nuts for a boost of zinc, an essential player in the fight against infection. Finally, supplement your diet with some new superfoods. Try reishi mushrooms, tangy apples, echinacea powder, or elderberries to keep your body strong and ready to repel the flu and COVID.”

For more information about flu prevention or how dentistry helps fight infection, call Golden Dental Wellness Center for a consultation at 516-627-8400. https://www.goldensmile.com/