70 percent of people were prescribed an antibiotic for flu symptoms

Flu season is here and it is certainly not welcome.

A new study has found that 1 in 4 people attended a GP for flu-like symptoms last winter and almost 70 percent of people were prescribed an antibiotic for their symptoms even though antibiotics work against infections caused by bacteria not viruses.

The research also found that almost one in four (24 percent) people don’t take any proactive steps to help them maintain a healthy immune system during the winter months, which can leave them vulnerable to developing colds and other flu-like symptoms.

The Scope Gut Education Index aims to educate consumers on the importance of looking after your gut health in order to maintain overall health and immunity, not least during the winter season.

To further support this work, Scope has also partnered with nutritional chef and food columnist Susan Jane White to create a series of immune-boosting dishes using Bio-Kult, the multi-strain live bacteria supplement, to help prevent and combat cold and flu-like symptoms this winter.

The dishes are not only immune boosting but also family-friendly, cost-effective, and easy to make. They include a one-tray red pepper soup, a hearty vegetarian curry, and some nourishing cough drops to fight off any tingly coughs and sore throats.

Susan Jane White has used ingredients like turmeric, chilli, garlic and onions in her recipe series, all of which are natural antioxidants that act as barriers to help reduce inflammation and fight infection.

For an added immunity punch, a daily intake of a multi-strain live bacteria supplement like Bio-Kult can help boost overall health and well-being to power you through the winter season.

When taken on a regular basis, the Bio-Kult range can help to improve immunity by introducing and keeping a healthy level of good bacteria in the gut. Looking after your gut health is particularly important during the winter months, as up to 70 percent of your immune system is located here.

Comment from Susan Jane White: “Including a multi-strain live bacteria supplement to a range of dishes always helps to boost my body and my battery. I'm all about gut health. I think it's so important to replenish the good bacteria in your little one's system and turbocharge their immunity, particularly after a course of antibiotics. I watch my boys bounce back – we absolutely love these products."

Comment from Sarah Ussher, Product Manager at Scope: "These stats not only show a worrying trend of dependence on antibiotics for cold and flu-like symptoms but also a large knowledge gap on how to keep your immune system healthy during the winter months. We are delighted to partner with Susan Jane White on this recipe series as she is a powerhouse of knowledge on how immunity can be built and improved through good nutrition and proactive gut health care."