How to Detox the Body After the Flu
The flu, also known as influenza, is a virus that most people get at least once. Symptoms of the flu are chills, nausea, fever, coughing, runny nose, headache and head congestion. Most people will have the flu for about a week, but may feel weak and tired after recovering. Instead of trudging through your days, try a detox diet to bring your body back into working order more quickly after the flu.
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Instructions
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Drink fluids. Your doctor will tell you to drink plenty of fluids while you have the flu, but he or she never tells you to continue drinking these fluids after the flu to keep up your strength. Slowly sip clear liquids like water, apple juice, pineapple juice, chicken broth, herbal tea and seltzer water all day long.
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Don't eat if you aren't hungry. You may feel a reduction in your appetite when you have the flu. If you are hungry, go ahead and eat, but if you aren't, stick to drinking liquids. Your body is conserving its energy to fight off infection and does not need to waste energy digesting a steak.
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Eat one grapefruit each morning for a week following your flu. Grapefruit is high in antioxidants and vitamin C, and it also helps to detoxify the liver. A healthy liver means a healthy immune system, so keep eating that grapefruit if you feel well enough to eat.
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Don't eat sweets. Neutrophils, white blood cells that fight off infections, become slow and lethargic when sugar is in the system. The less sugar you eat, the more energy your neutrophils will have to fight off your infection.
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Take one zinc lozenge three times a day. Even if you are feeling better, your body needs to replenish its energy and nutrients. Zinc will increase your appetite and your immune system, so it is a good idea to take it regularly even when you aren't sick.
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Tips & Warnings
Continue following these steps for two weeks after your flu symptoms have disappeared.
Avoid dairy products when you are sick--they increase mucous and are hard for your body to digest.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Penny Matthews -- http://www.sxc.hu/profile/ZoofytheJi
