CDC warns flu shot may not protect against virus this year                                    Dec. 2014
 

A new report out said the flu shot provided this year isn't as effective as it has been in the past. Doctors are warning less than half of the people who got the flu shot this year will be immune to the virus.

Last winter the CDC estimated that the flu vaccine worked for about six out of 10 people. Which experts said was good. This year that rate went down to about about five out of 10 people.

Dr. Michael Sulivan, chief medical quality officer at Covenant Hospital, said the virus changes strands which makes this year's virus more difficult to treat.

The CDC said the dominant strain of flu this year is called the H3N2 virus and is particularly deadly among children and the elderly.

 

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 14 Foods To Add To Your Diet In 2015                                                  Kristin Kirkpatrick, MS, RD, LD

 

Some new healthy foods will be in the wellness sphere for 2015

 

1. Matcha tea  Matcha tea is the dried leaves of  green tea ground into a powder. 

 

2. Broccoli sprouts   While they're a good looking garnish next to a piece of fish, it's their powers once consumed that will blow your mind (and your ability to fight against cancer). 

 

3. Crickets   Crickets provide the protein that makes you feel good about your health and the earth.

 

4. Kalettes   Consider Brussels sprouts and kale united.

 

5. Plantains   The soluble fiber in plantains may help in the treatment of Crohn's disease. In addition to this, plantains are high in fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin A. 

 

6. Umeboshi paste   Made from picked, umebashi plums

 

7. Lychee   High in potassium and vitamin C, a 2014 study found that consumption of lychee was positively associated with reduced inflammation.

 

8. Capers   A 2007 study found that when capers (immature flower buds of the Capparis spinosa plant) were added to meat, they decreased byproducts formed during digestion that are associated with cancer risk. 

 

9. Black garbanzo-bean pastas   In addition to being gluten-free, these pastas will most likely be higher in fiber and protein and lower on the glycemic index than their wheat counterparts.

 

10. Khorasan wheat   Researchers found that khorasan wheat was associated with impressive reductions in cardiovascular risk factors with notable improvements in metabolic, lipid, antioxidant, and inflammatory blood profiles.

 

11. Purple peppers   While few studies have documented the health benefits of the purple pepper, it's safe to say that adding it to your diet in 2015 may boost both the color on your plate and your health.

 

12. Rosemary   Rosemary has not only been associated with reductions in cancer-causing compounds when cooking meat, it's also been linked to overall reductions in diabetes risk, Alzheimer's disease,and macular degeneration and may play a role in improving brain health as well. 

 

13. Coconut flour   Studies have shown that coconut flour is higher in fiber and lower on the glycemic index than other flours

 

14. Pine nuts   In addition to enjoying the same benefits as many of their popular counterparts (like peanuts, pistachios, and walnuts), pine nuts may additionally help to suppress appetite and create fullness