February is a peak flu month. Here's a look at why and what to do about it.

This month has a history of having the most cases of the flu. Here are two tips to stay healthy all winter.

Why is February such a bad month for cases of the flu?

Several critical factors may explain why flu cases tend to be

highest in the second month of the year.

While "flu season" tends to run from October to April, the flu cases have been highest in February in the past three decades. Is "catching the flu" just an inevitable occurrence that strikes us randomly? Is a respiratory infection just bad luck, like getting

struck by lightning? Is it something we have no influence over, or is there actually a lot that we can do to mitigate our risk of both getting sick and reducing the severity of the sickness if we do get sick?

LISTEN | Why is February a peak flu month?Dr. Brandan Lee

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Thanks to our friends at Grassroots Health for the amazing graph showing the correlation between flu cases and low Vitamin D levels.

Discussing these two significant contributors to flu season also shows us how to be proactive and control our health.

The spike in flu cases in February is likely due to the convergence of several factors:

1. February is typically the coldest month, bringing very dry air. The flu virus can survive outside a host longer in cold and dry air.

2. The dead of winter is when Vitamin D levels are the lowest.

You can mitigate your risk of infection by making sure your Vitamin D levels don't dip during the winter by taking a good Vitamin D supplement. You also have to be aware that sugar sabotages immune system health. The combination of plummeting Vitamin D levels and sugary diets leaves us vulnerable to just about any germ, virus, or bacteria that comes along.

This is a good reminder of the importance of optimizing your Vitamin D levels. If you don't know your Vitamin D level, you're doing Vitamin D wrong. The immune system benefits of Vitamin D are found in having a Vitamin D level between 40 and 60 ng/ml. If you're like 90% of the population and have inadequate Vitamin D levels, you're leaving yourself vulnerable to more sickness and disease.

We sell a Vitamin D Home Test that is convenient, easy to use, inexpensive, and you don't even need to leave your house to find out your Vitamin D level!