In the Great Flu Pandemic of 1918 it was actually pneumonia that claimed most of the lost lives. The flu weakened people to the point where secondary bacterial infections could run rampant. In past blog I wrote about the benefits of supplementing with andrographis paniculata to prevent and treat colds and flu. But what can you do to fight bacterial infections--particularly bacterial pneumonia? A great deal of research in recent years has shown that zinc reduces the duration of pneumonia. Researchers point out that "Adjuvant treatment with 20 mg zinc per day accelerates recovery from severe pneumonia in children, and could help reduce antimicrobial resistance by decreasing multiple antibiotic exposures, and lessen complications and deaths where second line drugs are unavailable." (read the study here ). Other research has confirmed these findings. This is yet more information in the mounting evidence for the role of excellent nutrition in fighting disease. An excellent source of bioavailable zinc is pumpkin seeds. These make an excellent snack, or can be ground up in a smoothie. Follow this link for other zinc-rich foods and recommended daily intakes.