Flu

It might surprise you to learn that the NHS doesn’t recommend taking vitamin C supplements, echinacea, or garlic to ward off or recover faster from seasonal sniffles.

“There’s little evidence that supplements such as vitamin C, echinacea or garlic prevent colds or help you get better more quickly,” the health service says.

So perhaps it’s no wonder they don’t appear on the main list of steps Dr Kaywaan Khan, a GP and the founder of Hannah London Clinic, told us to take ahead of cold and flu season.

Instead, he says, “While flu vaccination remains the cornerstone of prevention, everyday habits like sleep, nutrition, and hand hygiene can play a significant role in keeping your immune system in check and well-supported”.

The doctor says that his advice is as follows:

1) Prioritise sleep

Dr Khan explained that “Deep sleep regulates the release of cytokines, proteins that help fight inflammation, along with infection-fighting cells and antibodies”.

That’s why seven to nine hours’ kip a night is key to keeping your immune system........

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