Here we go! Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes you are at a higher risk of contracting respiratory, urinary tract and skin infections than people without diabetes. Being aware gives us an advantage.

5 Top Tips to Protect Yourself:

1. Wash your hands... often! This decreases the likelihood of spreading the virus to your mouth, nose or other people. Flu viruses can survive for two hours or longer on surfaces such as taps, counter tops and doorknobs.

2. Get enough rest. If your body is tired it will be harder for you to fight the flu.

3. Exercise. This increases your circulation and the components of your immune system also. Your immune system will then have a better chance of protecting you before an illness spreads.

4. Avoid Processed Foods. Many processed foods contain sugar; sugar decreases the function of your immune system almost immediately. The stronger our immune system the more likely it is our bodies will fight off viruses.

5. Vitamins and Supplements. Reports show:

* optimizing our vitamin D levels is one of the best strategies to avoiding infections of all kinds.
* eating garlic regularly works like a broad spectrum antibiotic against bacteria and any virus in the body. If you don't like garlic, avoid it.
* increasing omega-3's in our diet is also important for maintaining optimal health

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