Cold and Fever Claims
Recently The New York Times examined the old “starve a cold, feed a fever” claim, every heard of it? Personally my family didn’t have these little adages. My old man believed in, “You’re not sick. Now get up and get ready for school!” Anyhow, here’s what reporter Anahad O’Connor turned up:
The only study suggesting that either claim had any validity was published in the journal Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology in 2002 by a team of Dutch scientists. They found that eating a meal increases a type of immune response that fights off the viruses responsible for colds, while fasting seemed to stimulate an immune response that could help fight off the infections associated with most fevers.I don’t worry about memorizing little slogans like that. Why? Well, not to brag, but I never get sick. That’s right, no colds, no fevers, no sore-throats, no nothing. How come? Maybe it has something to do with all the fruits and veggies I devour each day. What do you think?
But other scientists have said those findings have little merit because the study involved a small number of subjects and has not been replicated. Most doctors, and years of research on cold and flu sufferers, say there is only one tried-and-true treatment: plenty of rest and fluids. It helps to know that once a person has contracted a cold or the flu, it will run its course in 5 to 10 days.
Possibly. I don't eat any vegetables and I get sick all the time. (But I eat an otherwise healthy diet, I swear!)
What are your thoughts on immune boosting supplements? I've had a lot of luck with one called Cold-fX. Some say they don't do anything, but I've managed to stay in good health by taking this.
Toby,
I hope you are eating a lot of fruit, because if you are not, there is no way you could possibly be eating a healthy diet. Fruits and vegetables have the most nutrients by far of any food.