Cold and flu season is upon us. In fact, it starts as early as October!  Sometimes people think they have the "flu", but it can be really a bad chest cold or other respiratory illness. If anyone is coughing so hard that they throw up from the deep expelling of air, if the fever is 100 with a sign of breaking through ibuprofen/ Tylenol or the person can't stop sneezing then the person might have attacked with flu and cold. If anyone catches one of these viruses and before it turns into something worse that can land a patient in the hospital, the person may seek remedies as soon as possible. Further, there are natural ways to prevent such colds and flu in the winter. The Common Natural Ways to Prevent Cold and Flu in the Winter The following part of this article will show you some effective natural ways to avoid catching a cold or getting ill with flu in the cold season. If you read on, you will find out which foods can help boost your immune system and fight off the nasty germs that spread when temperatures start to fall. Vitamin C It is probably known by everyone that vitamin C is good for boosting our immune system, but not all of us know that it has an antiviral effect too! Vitamin C helps our body to produce white blood cells more quickly, which is the main part of the immune system. According to researches, people with low level of vitamin C are more likely to get upper respiratory tract infections (like cold or flu) than those who have enough vitamin C in their body. Oranges, limes, leafy greens, grapefruits and vegetables are an excellent source of Vitamin C. Read How to Bathe Babies during Winter? Zinc This mineral boosts the immune system in a variety of ways. First of all, it helps white blood cells fight against viruses, bacteria and fungi. Secondly, zinc increases the number of interferons produced in our body, these are proteins which help us fight off infections more quickly. Thirdly, zinc is believed to block receptors in the nose or airways which are responsible for influenza virus entering inside of our bodies while we breathe. Taking 8-11mg of zinc per day is recommended for the immune system during cold months, but be careful if you take too much - it can cause nausea and vomiting. Garlic An herb that boosts the immune system since it contains powerful ingredients called allicin, which stimulate production of white blood cells. It's also good to eat raw garlic because cooking may destroy its healing properties. Hence, adding garlic in the diet will reduce the severity of cold. Read Breast Cancer Prevention: How to Cut Your Risk?