Put a Little Spice in your Thanksgiving

Cinnamon is well known as a stellar antioxidant and a potent germ-killer, and there's a growing body of evidence that shows that a substance in the spice turns on insulin receptors to help the body use glucose. Which is a good thing, because too much glucose in the bloodstream is tough on your organs and a marker of diabetes. Cloves appear to have a similar effect.

So don't save these spices for holiday cooking. You can use cinnamon liberally, but cloves -- ground or whole -- really pack a flavor punch and take a lighter hand. For ways to get more of these good-for-you spices into your everyday life, try these tips:

• Sprinkle both on fresh apple slices and poached pears.
• Add cinnamon and cloves to crockpot dishes for an Indian-inspired flavor twist.
• Add ground cloves to stuffing recipes.
• Use a cinnamon stick to stir your tea, hot chocolate, or warm soymilk.
• Sprinkle both spices into muffin batters and on whole-wheat toast.
• Keep a cinnamon shaker next to the salt and pepper on the table and experiment.
• Push whole cloves into an onion and place it in turkey or chicken cavities for flavorful roasting.

Flu Shot Facts

We know what you’re thinking: “I had the flu shot last year, so why should I have it again?” The answer is simple. Last year’s shot won’t protect you this year. The flu is caused by a virus. There are many strains of the flu virus, and the one that was active last year may not be the one you’ll need to worry about this year.

Flu shots are important: By having one, you can protect yourself from getting the flu and its very serious complications, such as bronchitis, pneumonia or even death.

Those at greatest risk for influenza should get the flu shot in October or November so the body has time to build immunity before the flu outbreak hits. However, you can still benefit by getting the flu shot anytime during flu season, which typically lasts from December through March.

The flu shot does not contain a live virus, so you cannot get the flu from it. A very small number of people develop mild symptoms that last a day or two at most after receiving the vaccine. In addition, the flu vaccine is not 100 percent effective at preventing the flu, but those who do get the flu are much more likely to have a milder case. If you are older than 50 or at risk because of other health problems, you should not ignore the benefit of getting a mild, rather than serious, case of the flu. It’s not the flu that kills; the physical complications do.

While you’re getting your flu shot, get your pneumonia shot, too. The pneumococcal vaccine can be received anytime during the year and is usually only given once. However, if you were vaccinated before age 65 or have a chronic illness, you might need a second shot in five years. Ask your doctor if you need one.

Meet the Flu Bug

Influenza is caused by a virus—a tiny particle that consists of RNA (genetic material also known as ribonucleic acid) inside a protein coat. The influenza virus, like other viruses, can only reproduce by taking over a "host" cell (a cell that provides nourishment for the virus).

Here is how influenza can spread:
A person who is infected with influenza coughs or sneezes, releasing tiny particles of virus. (This person may not even feel sick at the time.)

Another person in the room may breathe in the viral particles.

The viral particles can then attach themselves to cells in the nose, throat, and lungs of this second person.

Each cell that has been infected by influenza becomes a little "influenza factory," making more virus to infect additional cells.

The damage to the cells in the nose, throat, and lungs can cause the person to cough, thereby helping to spread the influenza virus to other people.

Viral particles that land on doorknobs, telephones, and other surfaces can cause infection if someone picks up influenza on their hands and then touches their nose, mouth, or eyes.

Flu Fact
Many of the symptoms of influenza—fever, chills, and body aches — are really signs that your immune system is working very hard to fight infection. They are caused by cytokines, chemicals produced by activated immune cells.

Good Health Habits for Preventing the Flu

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits and antiviral medications are other measures that can help protect against the flu.

Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

Clean your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

Practice other good health habits.
Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.