Starve a Cold, Feed a Fever? Learn the Facts

If you’re not quite sure how this saying goes, you can relax: Starving is never the correct answer.

When you eat a good-for-you, well-balanced diet, many other things fall in place that keep your body working well. Foods that are rich in nutrients help fight infections and may help prevent illness. They’re delicious, too! Get to know the best sources.

Antioxidants

These can help keep your immune system strong. Antioxidants — which include beta carotene and vitamins C and E — are essential nutrients and can help keep your immune system strong. They help protect your body on the inside. One way they do that is to target “free radicals,” which are molecules that can harm things including cell membranes. By taking away their destructive power, antioxidants may help you stay healthy or bounce back faster if you do get sick.

The best way to include them in your diet is to eat more fruits and vegetables. If you cook them, use as little liquid as possible to keep the nutrients in the food.

Most health organizations recommend eating five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables daily. That will give you plenty of antioxidants. For example, one quarter of a cantaloupe gives you nearly half the beta carotene you need in a day. Plus, it’s a rich source of vitamin C. And spinach gives you beta carotene, vitamin C, folic acid, and magnesium.

Foods rich in beta carotene and other carotenoids include: Apricots, asparagus, beef liver, beets, broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, corn, guava, kale, mangoes, mustard and collard greens, nectarines, peaches, pink grapefruit, pumpkin, squash (yellow and winter), sweet potato, tangerines, tomatoes, and watermelon.

Foods rich in vitamin C include: broccoli, cantaloupe, cauliflower, kale, kiwi, orange juice, papaya, red, green or yellow pepper, sweet potato, strawberries, and tomatoes.

Foods rich in
vitamin E
include: almonds, corn oil, cod-liver oil, hazelnuts, lobster, peanut butter, safflower oil, salmon steak, and sunflower seeds.

Bioflavonoids

Foods high in bioflavonoids may also help you stay healthy. Research shows that these key nutrients help to boost immune system activation. These natural substances accompany vitamin C in plants and act as an antioxidant.

Food sources: You can find bioflavonoids in the pulp and white core that runs through the center of citrus fruits, green peppers, lemons, limes, oranges, cherries, and grapes. Quercetin is a highly concentrated bioflavonoid found in broccoli, citrus fruits, and red and yellow onions.

Continued

Glutathione

Glutathione is another nutrient that helps the immune system work well so it can fight infections.

Food sources: You can get it from broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, and other cruciferous vegetables.

Phytochemicals

Foods high in phytochemicals are also important for wellness. Phytochemicals are in all plants, so a diet that includes a variety of grains, fruits, and vegetables will give you these healthy substances.

Food sources: Apples, apricots, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, garlic, legumes, onions, red peppers, soybeans, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes.

Protein

You need protein to build and repair body tissue and fight viral and bacterial infections. It’s rare for anyone in the U.S. to be low on protein, and too much can be bad for your kidneys. Make sure you choose lean sources, such as beans and soy, lean beef, and skinless chicken or turkey.

Chicken Soup

Chicken soup appears to help fight colds in at least two research studies. It helps clear nasal congestion as well as thin mucus so you can better cough it up. Also, research shows it may have a mild anti-inflammatory effect that can help ease cold symptoms.

Drinking hot tea is another great old home remedy. Hot tea helps to thin mucus and ensure proper hydration of the body. Green and black teas are filled with flavonoids, which are potent antioxidants.

Sources

SOURCES:

Bruce, D. The Sinus Cure, Ballantine, 2007.

Mayo Clinic: “Cold Remedies: What Works, What Doesn’t, What Can’t Hurt.”

eMedicineHealth: “Colds Treatment: Self-Care at Home.”

FDA: “Colds and Flu: Time Only Sure Cure.”

American Lung Association: “A Survival Guide for Preventing and Treating Influenza and the Common Cold.”

Nutrients: “Dietary Natural Products for Prevention and Treatment of Liver Cancer. ”

© 2021 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

Starve a Cold, Feed a Fever? Learn the Facts

If you’re not quite sure how this saying goes, you can relax: Starving is never the correct answer.

When you eat a good-for-you, well-balanced diet, many other things fall in place that keep your body working well. Foods that are rich in nutrients help fight infections and may help prevent illness. They’re delicious, too! Get to know the best sources.

Antioxidants

These can help keep your immune system strong. Antioxidants — which include beta carotene and vitamins C and E — are essential nutrients and can help keep your immune system strong. They help protect your body on the inside. One way they do that is to target “free radicals,” which are molecules that can harm things including cell membranes. By taking away their destructive power, antioxidants may help you stay healthy or bounce back faster if you do get sick.

The best way to include them in your diet is to eat more fruits and vegetables. If you cook them, use as little liquid as possible to keep the nutrients in the food.

Most health organizations recommend eating five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables daily. That will give you plenty of antioxidants. For example, one quarter of a cantaloupe gives you nearly half the beta carotene you need in a day. Plus, it’s a rich source of vitamin C. And spinach gives you beta carotene, vitamin C, folic acid, and magnesium.

Foods rich in beta carotene and other carotenoids include: Apricots, asparagus, beef liver, beets, broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, corn, guava, kale, mangoes, mustard and collard greens, nectarines, peaches, pink grapefruit, pumpkin, squash (yellow and winter), sweet potato, tangerines, tomatoes, and watermelon.

Foods rich in vitamin C include: broccoli, cantaloupe, cauliflower, kale, kiwi, orange juice, papaya, red, green or yellow pepper, sweet potato, strawberries, and tomatoes.

Foods rich in
vitamin E
include: almonds, corn oil, cod-liver oil, hazelnuts, lobster, peanut butter, safflower oil, salmon steak, and sunflower seeds.

Bioflavonoids

Foods high in bioflavonoids may also help you stay healthy. Research shows that these key nutrients help to boost immune system activation. These natural substances accompany vitamin C in plants and act as an antioxidant.

Food sources: You can find bioflavonoids in the pulp and white core that runs through the center of citrus fruits, green peppers, lemons, limes, oranges, cherries, and grapes. Quercetin is a highly concentrated bioflavonoid found in broccoli, citrus fruits, and red and yellow onions.

Continued

Glutathione

Glutathione is another nutrient that helps the immune system work well so it can fight infections.

Food sources: You can get it from broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, and other cruciferous vegetables.

Phytochemicals

Foods high in phytochemicals are also important for wellness. Phytochemicals are in all plants, so a diet that includes a variety of grains, fruits, and vegetables will give you these healthy substances.

Food sources: Apples, apricots, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, garlic, legumes, onions, red peppers, soybeans, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes.

Protein

You need protein to build and repair body tissue and fight viral and bacterial infections. It’s rare for anyone in the U.S. to be low on protein, and too much can be bad for your kidneys. Make sure you choose lean sources, such as beans and soy, lean beef, and skinless chicken or turkey.

Chicken Soup

Chicken soup appears to help fight colds in at least two research studies. It helps clear nasal congestion as well as thin mucus so you can better cough it up. Also, research shows it may have a mild anti-inflammatory effect that can help ease cold symptoms.

Drinking hot tea is another great old home remedy. Hot tea helps to thin mucus and ensure proper hydration of the body. Green and black teas are filled with flavonoids, which are potent antioxidants.

Sources

SOURCES:

Bruce, D. The Sinus Cure, Ballantine, 2007.

Mayo Clinic: “Cold Remedies: What Works, What Doesn’t, What Can’t Hurt.”

eMedicineHealth: “Colds Treatment: Self-Care at Home.”

FDA: “Colds and Flu: Time Only Sure Cure.”

American Lung Association: “A Survival Guide for Preventing and Treating Influenza and the Common Cold.”

Nutrients: “Dietary Natural Products for Prevention and Treatment of Liver Cancer. ”

© 2021 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

True or False: “Feed a Cold, Starve a Fever”

The saying “feed a cold, starve a fever” dates back to a dictionary published by John Withals in 1574 because of a note that indicated “fasting is a great remedy of fever.” The belief that has carried through the years is that the body needs food to generate warmth for healing from a cold – while avoiding food helps to cool the body when a fever is present.

False: Feed a Cold, Starve a Fever

Even though this medical folklore has been carried through the years, should we still be abiding by these recommendations? We live in a modern world filled with vast information about health and wellness. Science has examined this tradition and found that it is an old wives’ tale.

In the 1500s and 1600s, doctors thought that a fever meant that the metabolism was working in overdrive. So, the idea was the withholding food would help the body to cool since the digestive system doesn’t need to work to break down the food. The theory was that the fever would burn off faster if the food was minimized. Now that we know more about health and wellness, this idea has been debunked.

Truth: Feed a Cold, Feed a Fever

The truth is that reducing calorie intake when a fever is present could make it harder to overcome the illness. When your immune system is working hard to fight a viral or bacterial infection, it requires energy to do the internal activity that is happening to combat the pathogenic invader. Eating healthy food is beneficial to promote healing. But that doesn’t mean you should overeat – the best solution is to maintain a balanced diet of healthy ingredients.

When a fever is present, the symptom is the result of the immune system’s attempt to overcome the illness — the body temperature increases, which boosts the metabolism and uses more calories. As a result, the energy demand goes up while fever is present, which is why it is necessary to take in a sufficient number of calories.

During a fever, it is even more important to ensure that the person is drinking enough fluids. The fever can lead to dehydration since the elevated temperature increases the production of sweat. These fluids need to be replaced, so the body has all of the resources needed to fight the infection.

What to Eat to Overcome Illness?

One problem with sickness is that you don’t feel like eating or drinking very much. Loss of appetite is one symptom that often shows up with common illnesses. For example, sometimes a fever decreases a person’s appetite as part of the natural defense system. This temporary slowing in appetite can help the immune system focus the available energy on fighting the pathogens. Pay attention to your hunger cues, and know that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for every person.

While it’s important to be intuitive about your body cues, also be aware that you need to stay ahead of fluid and food needs. Be careful to avoid overeating, which can intensify symptoms such as vomiting and nausea.

The liquids are most important, especially when the fever is present along with other symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea. If you don’t have much of an appetite, then look for ways that you can drink your calories to combat dehydration and malnourishment. Here are a few recommendations that can be helpful to support recovery:

• Hot Herbal Tea: Which is comforting and also provides ingredients that can boost immune function. Additionally, the steam can be soothing to open the sinuses. Try peppermint for a head cold to help with congestion. Ginger and echinacea can be helpful for overall immune support. Chamomile can be relaxing, helping to improve the quality of sleep when you aren’t feeling well.
• Electrolyte Drinks: Sports drinks and other beverages can be beneficial to overcome dehydration. These drinks replace the electrolytes that are lost through excess sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea. A natural option is to drink coconut water, which provides a variety of minerals without the added sugar and food dyes.
• Chicken Soup: There isn’t a magic ingredient in chicken soup that will make you better overnight. But it is a great combination of healing foods: vegetables that are high in antioxidants, hot liquids to open the sinuses, spices for an immune boost, and minerals in the bone broth.
• Juice: Nothing beats a cool glass of orange juice when you are feeling under the weather! Not only does it soothe the throat, but the vitamin C content can be helpful for immune function. Other types of juice can be beneficial for recovery as well, including fresh fruit and vegetable juices.
• Probiotics: Some people find it helpful to avoid dairy for the management of mucous production. But it might be helpful to have a bit of kefir or yogurt for the probiotic benefits. These “good” bacteria are gut-friendly, which can have a positive impact on the immune system.
• Spicy Foods: Dishes with hot peppers and other spicy ingredients can be beneficial to clear the sinuses. Just make sure you have tissues on hand during the meal!

When choosing your beverages, be careful to avoid caffeine because it can contribute to dehydration.

Appetite Loss in Children: Should I Be Worried?

As a parent, it is normal to be concerned if your child loses their appetite while sick. But there is no need to worry if the child has a reduced appetite for a few days while sick – this is normal behavior. Offer the child different types of food and rest assured to know that their appetite will return when they are feeling better.

When It is Time to Go to an Urgent Care Nearby?

For a minor or moderate illness, the symptoms can often be treated at home without professional medical care. But there are a few signs you should pay attention to, so you know when it is time to schedule an appointment with a doctor:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Fever lasts more than a few days
• Difficulty keeping fluids or food down
• Vomiting lasts for more than 2 days for adults, 24 hours for children, or 12 hours for infants
• Difficulty swallowing because of pain
• Congestion that lasts more than 10 days
• Severe cramping or abdominal pain
• Confusion or delirium
• Rectal bleeding
• High fever and a stiff neck
• Symptoms of dehydration (dry mouth, excessive thirst, dark-colored urine)

Is it time for you to talk to a doctor? If you need medical care, then our team of board-certified medical professionals is here to assist. At iCare ER and Urgent Care, we provide both urgent care services for common illness, as well as emergency treatments for severe symptoms and trauma. Our offices are conveniently located in Frisco, Fort Worth, and Argyle. Visit us 24/7, or call to schedule an appointment in our urgent care: (214) 407-8668.

Feed a cold, starve a fever?

The popular proverb that we should eat when we have a cold, but not when we have a fever makes some sense intuitively. Since fevers usually only last a day a two and you tend not to have much of an appetite anyway, eating little isn’t difficult. But colds tend to last between seven and 10 days so you’re inclined to eat and would be left feeling pretty weak and wretched if you didn’t.

So it’s doable, but is there any evidence that following the saying makes you feel better more quickly? Liquids are, of course, essential and it’s the nutrients from food which enable cells to function. Yet illness commonly makes people lose their appetite altogether, and it has been suggested that this so-called “infection-induced anorexia” helps boost the immune system. But if this is the case, why should not eating have this effect only when we are ill?

One study dating back to 2002 gave rise to many a headline stating that “feed a cold, starve a fever” wasn’t an old wives’ tale after all. Dutch scientists asked volunteers to fast overnight before visiting their laboratory for tests on two separate occasions. On the first visit, they were given a liquid meal and on the second they received only water. Blood tests showed that levels of gamma interferon, a substance important in triggering immune responses against infection, particularly by viruses, increased by an average of 450% after participants had been given the meal, and decreased after consuming only water.

Meanwhile, fasting appeared to increase levels of another immune system signalling chemical called interleukin-4 on average fourfold – much more than the smaller increase seen in the study participants after they were given the liquid meal. Interleukin-4 plays a key role in fighting bacterial infection; it’s main role is in regulating immune reactions to infectious agents that have entered the blood and tissues, but that have yet to infiltrate individual cells.

So continuing to eat promotes the type of immunity that is particularly effective in combating the type of virus-based infection of cells you would have with a cold. And a fever might be caused by infectious bacteria, in which case starving yourself could promote the other type of immunity. So far, so good for those who saw the Dutch research as supportive of the “Feed a cold, starve a fever” maxim. Except that it’s not as neat as that. 

A common cause of fever is flu which is caused by a virus, so the theory doesn’t quite fit. Moreover this study was tiny, with just six volunteers taking part. Even lead study author Gijis van den Brink warned people not to change their eating habits in response to illness on the basis of the study. Then there’s other evidence, admittedly only from mice, that when only 40% of the normal calories for a day are consumed, infection with flu was not only more likely, but symptoms were worse and the mice took longer to recover.

Although there has been work showing that calorie restriction both extends the lifespan of mice and rats by between 20% and 30%, and reduces the incidence of tumours, when it comes to flu, the evidence suggests that mice are better off eating.  

But back to people. Not only is there a lack of scientific evidence to back up the proverb, but there are also historical and linguistic debates about its origins. Many credit Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Others insist the phrase does not appear in the late 14th century collection of stories. There have been suggestions that it’s a mistranslation and that the intended meaning was that feeding a cold would “stave off” a fever.

Those wanting a definitive answer will have to wait until we know more about the complexities of the immune system. Until then, appetite is probably your best guide. Whether you have a cold or a fever, it is important to keep taking fluids. As for food, you do want to keep your strength up if you can, but it depends on what you can stomach.

If you would like to comment on this article or anything else you have seen on Future, head over to our Facebook page or message us on Twitter.

You can hear more Medical Myths on Health Check on the BBC World Service.

Disclaimer

All content within this column is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. The BBC is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based on the content of this site. The BBC is not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on any of the sites. Always consult your own GP if you’re in any way concerned about your health.

“Feed A Cold, Starve A Fever” – Scientific Fact or Urban Myth?

Are you feeling under the weather? Why not feed a cold and starve a fever…or is it starve a cold feed a fever? Somewhere along the line, the phrasing of this popular dictum got switched around to ‘feed a fever starve a cold,’ adding more puzzlement to an already befuddled issue.

‘Starve a fever feed a cold’ is the original logic, dating back to the pre-scientific Dark Ages. Although the precise origin of the advice is not known, we do know of a dictionary author named John Withals who included a snippet in his 1574 reference manual. “Fasting is a great remedie of feuer,” he wrote with the best of intentions.

Sixteenth century medieval physicians believed that a “cold” was the consequence of a drop in body temperature, and a “fever,” conversely, the result of a temperature spike. It made sense then, to try and warm up individuals struck with a cold. Those with a fever should simply cool off. Physicians thus advised patients to either eat or not eat, depending on their condition. After all, eating does increase body temperature. Hence: Feed a cold starve a fever.

Is there any scientific evidence to verify the old bedside wisdom? Today, we know that colds and fevers are not opposing conditions, and that the temperature regulation mechanisms at work are much more complicated than the adage admits. Let’s examine each part of this bromine to determine whether it’s a full truth, a half-truth or merely a dead-wrong urban myth.

Why Not ‘Starve a Fever’?

Contrary to medieval advice, a fever is not the same as overheating; it’s the body’s way of treating infectious disease. Do you grill your burgers to high temperatures to kill pathogens? So does your body. A fever is your immune system purposely frying the pants off foreign invaders that are making you ill. It’s a well-regulated function in most multicellular organisms.

That is, fevers themselves aren’t the problem. They’re the good guys—the body’s go-to defense mechanism for quashing the conditions in which bugs survive. Hyperthermia, in contrast, is an externally-caused, unregulated temperature spike that can be imminently life-threatening—like heat stroke.

Unfortunately, just about everyone, including many Western doctors, believes that fevers – even mild ones – should be treated as a threat to physical well-being. This myth may be partly an artifact of the booming over-the-counter antipyrexia industry. Fever suppression, whether by aspirin or by dutiful fasting, doesn’t do anything but trade quicker healing for momentary comfort.

When you have a fever, Moms everywhere recommend stomaching what you can to keep up your strength, and that’s extremely good advice. When it comes to regulating internal energy, your body already has you covered. There’s no need to reduce food consumption on purpose; your missing appetite already accomplishes this.

The advice to ‘starve a fever’ is the biomedical equivalent of ‘friendly fire’ and should be tossed in the dustbin of history. Does that mean you shouldn’t treat a very high fever as a medical emergency? No! A very high fever is a sign that something is dreadfully wrong and requires immediate intervention.

Why ‘Feed a Cold’?

Is ‘feed a cold’ smart advice or is it just as misleading as ‘starve a fever?’ Colds are energy-draining viruses, so it is actually helpful to keep your nutrient levels stable when you come down with a cold.

Maintaining a healthy diet keeps your immune system strong when you’re not sick. When you are ill, getting the right nutrients and sufficient energy should take center stage. Eating right is essential for helping you recover faster and making sure you don’t relapse further down the road.

Specifically, you’ll need carbohydrates for baseline glucose energy; protein to help damaged tissues heal; and of course, the mighty warriors of the immune system—antioxidant-rich vegetables. Filling up on green veggies—the greener the better—sends essential chemical signals to key immune cells, without which they wouldn’t function properly.

Eat moderately and selectively to keep your energy up. When it comes to altering food intake during illness, take it easy. Both stuffing and starving yourself are stressful actions to take against the body. If you must go overboard with some kind of intervention, try fluids. Your body can’t stay hydrated without your help.

‘Feed a cold, starve a fever,’ then, is only a half-truth. The better advice is: douse both a fever and a cold with fluids; eat if you can, especially veggies; get plenty of sleep—and let your body do the rest.

Feed a Cold or Starve a Fever? How to Eat During Flu Season

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Some of you might have been told before to “feed a cold” or “starve a fever”.  What does this mean exactly? And what proof do we have that it works?  “Feed a cold” and “starve a fever” are coincidentally common wives’ tales or misconceptions.  These statements lead us to believe that eating more while you have a cold or eating less when you have a fever makes you feel better quicker.  Instead, follow these few tips about how to eat during flu season.  This will help to keep your body healthy and prepared to fight off all those germs that float around during flu season!

Tip #1:  Eat foods high in antioxidants such as:

• Brazil nuts
• Pumpkin
• Carrots
• Sweet potatoes
• Grapes (red)
• Blueberries
• Leafy greens
• Bell peppers
• Brussel sprouts
• Oranges
• Broccoli
• Pineapple
• Papaya
• Cantaloupe

Naturally occurring antioxidants, such as those found in the foods above, help cells function more efficiently during our body’s immune response.    

Tip #2:  Eat foods that contain probiotics¹ including:

• Yogurt (with live and active cultures)
• Sauerkraut
• Kimchi

Probiotics are good bacteria that we want present in our digestive track to support a healthy immune system.

Tip #3:  Eat foods and drink liquids that contain other immune-boosting properties¹ such as:

If you do end up catching a cold or the flu this season, remember to eat well-balanced meals and snacks including fruits, vegetables, lean meats, proteins and dairy to help get you back on your feet quicker!  Try a few of the recommended foods and drink above that nourish and support a healthy immune response.  Also, do not forget to drink lots of water equal to at least 2 liters a day (more if you have a fever!).  If you’re not feeling plain ol’ water, you could try to drink broth or even flavored sparkling water.  Hydration is super important to allow our immune systems to function on all cylinders and ultimately keep our bodies healthy!  

Many people may not have much of an appetite when they are feeling under the weather, however it is still very important to ensure adequate nutrition and hydration.   If we do not eat and drink healthily while ill, it can prolong our illness because our immune system doesn’t have enough gas to fill the tank and keep on fighting!  Consider starting with small portions of bland items, such as broth, black tea or yogurt.  Also, try to avoid foods or drinks that may not supplement a healthy immune response, such as alcohol, caffeinated beverages, or highly-processed foods.

I would be remiss if I excluded all the other ways to promote health and wellness this flu season beyond nutritious food. Remember to wash your hands regularly, keep your distance from sick contacts, and get your flu vaccine!  Sometimes, we can do everything right and still end up with a cold or flu.  Don’t be discouraged! Know that by practicing the recommendations provided above your body is in the best possible shape to kick the cold or flu’s butt quicker and generally with less complications than our counterparts with suboptimal health habits.

If misfortune has fallen into your lap and you’re feeling under the weather this flu season, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our expert healthcare providers who can help with food and medicine to get you on the right track to feeling better!

¹  Immune Health. (2018). Better Nutrition, 30–32.

Disclaimer: This information is educational only and not providing healthcare recommendations. Please see a healthcare provider.

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What to Eat When You’re Sick – Cleveland Clinic

We all get hit with it. A cold, the flu or just a few days when we’re feeling downright cruddy. Some of us get walloped harder than others, while others seem to avoid sickness the way tweens avoid their parents on social media.

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

“We cannot necessarily say that food choices can help make a cough disappear or ease a scratchy throat,” says wellness expert Michael Roizen, MD. “But we shouldn’t diminish the fact that it can play a role in how you handle the random sicknesses that can get you from time to time. ”

That, of course, is no surprise. You’ve probably heard (and may even subscribe) to the well-known adage, “Feed a cold and starve a fever.” This mama medicine philosophy is pervasive, in part because many people have discovered anecdotally that food can in fact affect how your body prevents and recovers from illnesses like colds and viruses.

But is there actually science that links what you eat with these stay-in-bed-and-moan sicknesses?

Should you really feed a cold and starve a fever?

Not necessarily. It’s worth noting, Dr. Roizen says, that the meals-as-medicine mantra is somewhat flawed in that a cold is an actual illness and a fever is a symptom.

It’s sort of like comparing apples to oranges — both of which are fine illness fighters.

When you get a cold, you could be suffering from any number of symptoms (cough, congestion, runny nose, loss of appetite, even a fever). A fever itself, though, can be a symptom of any kind of infection that’s causing your immune system to fight whatever bacteria or viruses are invading.

As far as science goes, the data are minimal — and somewhat conflicting.

In one study, for example, different immune-boosting benefits were found for both those who were given a nutrient-rich broth and those who refrained from eating. Another study showed that starvation protected mice infected with bacteria and feeding was detrimental, but that the opposite was true when the mice were infected with a virus. Alas, the research in humans is as sparse as the supermarket water aisle before a hurricane.

So what’s the bottom line? Dr. Roizen says you should let you body — not a mantra — dictate some of your decision-making. Your immune system does need nutrients, so if you’re able to eat (and you feel like eating) you should get some calories in your body.

But if your symptoms are making you nauseated or you don’t have an appetite, you shouldn’t force it down. No matter what, make sure you’re getting plenty of fluids because hydration is the key to bouncing back from an illness. You can easily get dehydrated from sweating and producing lots of mucus, and you need to make plenty of urine to clear the waste from your immune system.

Here, Dr. Roizen explains what foods to load up on and what to avoid:

MVPs to eat: Grandma was right about more than just her philosophy on hugs. She also knew a thing or two about sickness when she pumped you full of chicken soup. Although there aren’t double-blind, placebo-controlled studies looking at the effect of chicken soup on curing a cold, some creative studies have. In one of the most often cited, from decades ago, scientists found that drinking chicken soup helped with nasal mucus velocity (yeah, that’s how fast or not nasal mucus moves).

Other research has found that ingredients in chicken soup have an anti-inflammatory effect (perhaps because of the chicken, broth and vegetables all working together).

Bottom line: Chicken soup will help you stay hydrated, which is important, and may have a soothing effect that can both help speed up your recovery and make you feel better too.

Other starting players: The best part about some of the other foods to prevent sickness is that you can throw them into your soup. Garlic, for example, has been shown to help prevent colds by giving your immune system a kick in the pants. And in one experiment, ginger was shown to block viruses. Finally mushrooms (an ancient medicinal remedy) have been shown to help prime immune cells to better fight an infection.

Cut from the team: Just because oysters have zinc doesn’t mean they help you shorten a cold’s duration. Zinc lozenges do — but extra zinc can cause toxicity, so only take it while you have a cold and not year-round.

This article was adapted from the best-selling book “What to Eat When” by Michael F. Roizen, MD, and Micheal Crupain, MD, MPH with Ted Spiker (©2018 National Geographic Books)

90,000 Does it work to feed a runny nose, starve a fever?

Many people have been advised to catch a cold or starve at one time or another. They may wonder if there is any benefit in following this advice. So far, there is no conclusive evidence that following this advice will improve recovery. There may be some logic behind this advice, however, as it seems to be based on what many people can do when they feel bad. For example, people who suffer from bouts of fever may be less likely to taste delicious food anyway.

Feeding colds, hungry fever may come from personal observations of behavior in case of colds and diseases that cause fever. Often times, people with colds still have at least some appetite, even if it has diminished somewhat. Interestingly, a person’s appetite can be directly related to their symptoms. For example, a person’s sense of smell affects the taste of the food they eat. If a person has a cold with a very stuffy nose, they may feel less enthusiastic about food because the taste of their food may change; a person who has a sore throat may also be less interested in food, as swallowing can be harmful.

However, a person with a cold, even with a stuffy nose or sore throat, may have a higher appetite than a person with a fever. This may explain the cause of colds, hunger heat. People with fever may experience short-term loss of appetite, and the severity of the fever can directly affect appetite. Those with high fever may have less appetite than those with low temperatures.

Fever is often accompanied by fatigue and headache, which can affect a person’s appetite.Any other symptoms a person has, such as gastrointestinal changes or sore throat, can further impair their appetite. If the fever continues, a person’s lack of appetite can actually lead to weight loss.

In general, it doesn’t really matter whether a person chooses to catch a cold and die of a fever, or the other way around. What matters at all is that he continues to drink plenty of fluids. Doctors often recommend water and juice as the best options for those who are ill.Experts also say that alcohol is best avoided during this time as it can dehydrate your body. If a person has decreased appetite for more than a few days or longer after their symptoms have ended, they may do well to see a doctor.

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90,000 Effects of starvation for the human body. Help

During the first days, the starving person has pale skin, the smell of acetone from the mouth, a white coated tongue, weakness and an unhealthy shine of the eyes.All this against the background of headaches and a feeling of complete weakness. The next stage – gradual adaptation to hunger and the transition of the body to self-eating, occurs in 2-4 days. The weakness remains, but the feeling of hunger practically disappears. By the 4th-7th day, the so-called supercompensation occurs, when the body completely switches to using only internal reserves. There comes a strict economy in energy consumption, therefore, metabolic processes are significantly slowed down. I don’t even want to drink, because fat oxidation releases a significant amount of water.

If a person has a lot of fat deposits, then the hunger strike process is easier, since it is the fat involved in metabolism that is consumed first of all, and as long as there are fat deposits, they will be spent and maintain a more or less normal state of the body. But when there is no more fat, then first of all, various metabolic systems in the body suffer: the same fat, carbohydrate – all types of metabolism are disrupted and the body accumulates under-oxidized foods, foods that in a normal state should be split.The liver and kidneys work poorly, toxins, salts accumulate, poisons are formed, and this, in turn, affects the central nervous system, the cerebral cortex.

In some, after 10 days, significant damage begins – cells die, which are not restored. If a hunger strike lasts three weeks, then it is most dangerous. If then you do not feed a person parenterally, or do not help him, he can die at any time.

During the so-called dry hunger strike, irreversible processes begin in the body already on the third day. And it is very difficult to save a person after five or seven days of dry hunger strike. The main danger in the so-called dry fasting is dehydration of the body (dehydration), loss of water below the physiological norm. Dehydration of the body by only a few percent leads to disruption of its vital functions. If the amount of water that a person loses reaches 10% of body weight per day, a significant decrease in working capacity occurs, and if it rises to 25%, then this usually leads to death. When the body loses 1-5% percent of the liquid, acute thirst, feeling unwell, slowing down of movements, drowsiness, skin redness, fever, nausea, and indigestion appear.With a loss of 6-10% – shortness of breath, headache, tingling in the legs and arms, lack of salivation, loss of ability to move and impaired speech logic. With a loss of 11-20% – delirium, muscle spasms, swelling of the tongue, dullness of hearing and vision, cooling of the body.

According to experts, during any fasting, the adaptive mechanisms of the body can break down.

Scientists told what foods and drinks are useless for colds and flu (Now you can do without garlic)

With ARVI and flu, antibiotics are completely useless.According to information for 2009, antiviral drugs also proved to be ineffective. However, a neglected cold can develop into a more serious illness. How to treat it? The answer is simple: proper nutrition. At the same time, it turned out to be useless to focus on fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C. From this article, you will find out what other foods and tinctures that are popular for colds turned out to be ineffective, which ones are harmful and what really contributes to recovery.

Bright Side advises you not to starve when your body temperature rises.With a fever, the metabolic rate increases and the body requires more beneficial nutrients and fluids. It is also undesirable to go on a diet in the autumn-winter period: people who have a low-calorie diet are more likely to get the flu.

1. Garlic

The effectiveness of garlic in the treatment of colds has not been proven. It is likely that its use can serve as the prevention of colds, but during illness it is no more beneficial than a placebo.

But products containing quercetin (a natural antioxidant) possess powerful anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.This substance is found in broccoli, kale, red onions and red apples, cranberries, blueberries and blueberries, and green tea . Quercetin not only helps the body fight ARVI, but also prevents the transition of a viral infection to a bacterial one.

2. Processed foods

Chemically processed food contains preservatives, dyes, trans fats, texturizers (substances that create the desired texture), flavorings, as well as excess sugar, salt and fat.These products include not only chips, sausages, but also sauces, canned food and industrial pasta. An excess of such food in the diet can lead to weight gain and various diseases.

If you find it difficult to exclude these foods from your menu completely, then do not eat them at least during illness. Because of them, your body not only receives less nutrients, but also has to spend energy to get rid of harmful ones. Instead of pasta and convenience stores, give preference to homemade cereals, and replace sausages and sausages with herring, sardines or salmon.The omega-3 acids in fatty fish reduce inflammation, and vitamin D prevents new infections.

3. Spices and spices

Many spices and herbs – nutmeg, curry, black pepper and others – should not be used if the throat hurts, as they irritate it. You can replace them with ginger, which has anti-inflammatory properties and promotes sweating. 20-40 grams of ginger is poured with hot water, lemon or honey is added to taste and drunk as tea .

Chili pepper will help to get rid of the accumulation of mucus in the nose. Although it acts as an irritant, it copes well with both colds and allergic rhinitis. If you don’t have a sore throat, add a small amount of pepper to your food. The sinuses will clear and breathe easier.

4. Fried food

At the time of illness, it is better to give up fried food, as it is of little use, high in calories and less digestible. Plus, it can have a negative effect on your immune system.

Healthy people also should not get carried away with potatoes or meat cooked in a pan: consuming fried food more than 3-4 times a week can lead to diabetes, obesity or hypertension. It is permissible from time to time to eat food cooked in olive or sunflower oil , but during heat treatment it should be changed frequently.

5. Red meat

Like fried foods, meat is a rather heavy food. In large quantities, it increases the risk of inflammation and weakens your immune system.You can replace it with boiled chicken.

By the way, warm chicken soup is very useful for colds . It has a mild anti-inflammatory effect on the upper respiratory tract and helps relieve symptoms of the disease.

6.Oranges

Drinking oranges and their juice can be an excellent prevention of acute respiratory viral infections and flu, but it will not help much if you are already infected. Studies have shown that people who are subject to increased physical activity do find it beneficial to consume more vegetables and fruits that are rich in vitamin C.Regularly eating oranges, athletes endured diseases more easily and recovered faster.

For the rest, the effectiveness of vitamin C (and citrus fruits in particular) is questionable. But we do not recommend completely abandoning oranges: they have been proven to be useful in the prevention of cancer, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.

It is not recommended to use citrus and other sour fruits for sore throat: they can irritate it. Substitute melons, kiwis, bananas, or peaches to soothe sore mucous membranes.Yellow kiwi is considered especially useful. It has a sweet taste and is rich in vitamins. Scientists believe that consumption of this fruit reduces the severity and duration of illness in older people.

7. Echinacea and ginseng

During illness, you may want to speed up your recovery with the help of various infusions and medicinal plants. Echinacea is considered one of the most popular remedies for enhancing immunity. However, scientists have been convinced by experience that echinacea, ginseng and Chinese herbs are equally useless for colds.

The product, whose effectiveness was confirmed, turned out to be honey. Children who were given a little of this sweetness at night reduced their coughing.

In addition, the bactericidal properties of honey have been confirmed. It has been shown to be effective against many microbes, including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

8. Alcoholic beverages

During illness, it is better to do without alcoholic beverages. Alcohol (especially in large quantities) compromises the immune system, making it defenseless against infection.As a result, the healing process is delayed.

And keep in mind that regular drinkers are prone to infectious diseases, including tuberculosis and pneumonia.

9. Sweets

Almost everyone is convinced that during illness one should give up sweets. However, a study in mice has shown that things are not so simple. If the inflammation was caused by a bacterial infection, then the presence of glucose in the diet (in the form of sugar, rolls, or any other) led to the death of the mice.And light fasting and lack of sweets stimulated metabolism and promoted recovery.

If the inflammation was caused by the influenza virus, then the result was exactly the opposite: mice survived more often if they were fed foods containing sugar, and more often died without the glucose necessary for their brain .

Of course, people are not mice, but there are many flu and cold viruses. One thing is certain: in case of bacterial infections, sweets in any form should be avoided.And with a cold or flu, you should listen to your body. Perhaps warm tea with a handful of dried apricots or honey will help to overcome the disease faster.

How to speed up the healing process

Here everything is quite commonplace: drink enough warm liquid (herbal and green tea is especially useful), ventilate the room more often and humidify the air. Avoid stress, active and passive smoking. Postpone everything and get a good night’s sleep.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no reason to give up milk and dairy products .They were previously thought to increase the secretion of phlegm and mucus. However, the study has shown that this belief is wrong. So if you are used to drinking a glass of kefir every day or treating your throat with warm milk and honey, then you should not give up one or the other.

How do you deal with colds? Do you remember how your parents treated you? We look forward to your stories.

Questions and answers

Hello, dear doctors! A year and a half ago, my husband had a subarachnoid hematoma removed from the brain (there was a hemorrhage after a sharp increase in pressure upward), then there was a reconstruction operation – a titanium mesh was inserted in the place where there was no bone in the skull.This spring, he did not undergo a course of treatment (injections, pills), he went through only in the fall (in October). In April-May of this year, he abruptly dropped about 10 kg., And to this day is not recovering … The neurologist, at which he was at the reception in May, said that there was nothing wrong with that (???). During October, he again lost about 2 kg. What to do – which doctor should my husband see? Very worried. Thank you in advance for your answer!

In this case, your husband needs to undergo a minimal general examination (ECG, fluorography, general blood tests, urine tests, blood tests for ALT, AST, glucose, free T 4, TSH, PSA; ultrasound of the kidneys, prostate, abdominal organs, thyroid glands) and be examined by a therapist with the results.

You need to start with analyzes. Blood tests are taken on an empty stomach, without an appointment on weekdays from 8:00 to 10:00 am, on Saturday from 8:30 to 10:00 in our medical center in the treatment room at the address: st. Georgy Dimitrova, 20. You apply at the specified time to the medical center to the reception staff, you are offered to sit down, in a few minutes the nurse will invite you for tests. Bring your urine with you in a container and give it to the nurse who will draw blood from the vein.If necessary, you can get the container free of charge at the clinic.

Then go through the ultrasound. To do this, sign up for the study by phone: 8 846 201-00-11, then press key 2, or 927-06-97. Please note that an ultrasound scan must be performed on an empty stomach, since the list of examinations includes the abdominal organs. You can undergo fluorography at the place of residence or on a household basis.

Next, with the results of blood tests, ultrasound, fluorography, make an appointment with the therapist N. Lyubimova.A. by phones: 8 846 201-00-11, then press key 2, or 927-06-97. ECG (electrocardiography) is performed directly at the reception of a therapist. I will be glad to help your husband. I am waiting for you at the reception together.

Best regards,
Chief Physician, Adult Polyclinic
“Clinics of Dr. Kravchenko”,
Lyubimova N.A.

90,000 Can fasting improve your performance?

• Peter Bowes
• BBC Capital

October 26, 2016

Photo by, iStock

Members of the San Francisco biohacker group refuse food for up to 60 hours to improve their efficiency.Intermittent fasting is a popular way to control your weight, but does it affect performance? Correspondent BBC Capital decided to look into this.

The ancient practice of fasting has recently come back into vogue thanks to different diets – for example, the 5: 2 food system, which involves a sharp decrease in calorie intake on certain days of the week.

Research confirms that restricting calorie intake can have long-term positive effects on the body, including improved mood and more restful sleep.

But Californian technicians say more: the days when they refuse to eat, their performance increases. Among other things, they note an increase in mental alertness and the ability to concentrate.

The online community of Californian fasting followers – the so-called biohackers – is known as WeFast ( English “we fast”, although, of course, this fast has nothing to do with religion – Ed. ).

Its members are confident that by changing the biological processes in the body in a certain way, it is possible to lead a healthier and more fulfilling life.

The community practices a variety of fasting practices ranging from 36 hours to longer fasting periods of up to 60 hours.

Some WeFast members have a 23-hour fast a day. At the same time, they try to guess the end of their fasting period for a common breakfast in the middle of the week, after which biohackers meet.

This technique was proposed to the community by a startup from San Francisco, Nootrobox. The company produces “mind pills” – nootropics designed to stimulate the functioning of the brain.

Therapeutic fasting is part of the corporate culture of Nootrobox; Although no one is forced to go on a diet, all 13 employees of the company go on hunger strike on Tuesdays.

Photo by Peter Bowes

Caption,

WeFast members meet every Wednesday to interrupt fasting with a joint meal

On Wednesday morning they meet in a cafe with other members of the WeFast community of 1200 members to interrupt the period of refusal joint breakfast.Over the course of the meal, they share stories from their own fasting practices and helpful advice on the subject.

“The most compelling aspect of fasting for me and many other members of the community is that it increases productivity,” says Jeff Wu, co-founder and CEO of Nootrobox.

Perhaps there is something in this. According to scientific evidence, various forms of fasting can have powerful positive effects on the human body.

A temporary restriction in food leads to a wide range of changes at the cellular level and affects many metabolic processes, including improving the nutrition of the brain and increasing the body’s resistance to stress.

Although there is no documented evidence of a positive effect of dieting on performance, many fasting adherents, including some in the WeFast community, claim that their concentration levels become much higher during periods of refusal – a feeling akin to the euphoria experienced by runners.

Laboratory tests indicate that biochemical changes in the brain may be the cause. According to neuroscientist Mark Mattson of Johns Hopkins University, these changes lead to improved thinking ability.

In the process of obtaining energy not from carbohydrates contained in food, but due to the breakdown of cells accumulated in the body fat, a person’s well-being improves, says Dr. Eric Verdin, a researcher at the Gladstone Institute in San Francisco. This process is known as ketosis.

But how can you fight hunger attacks and irritability after giving up food? Indeed, it may not be easy at first, but over time, the body will adapt.

“When a person, who has never given up food before, is just starting to starve, unpleasant sensations of dizziness and discomfort are possible,” explains Verdin.

“But after repeated repetitions, changes in metabolism occur, and the body adapts. In our opinion, adaptation is one of the reasons that over time fasting begins to feel more comfortable. For the fourth or fifth time, people begin to feel much better than before practice. ”

However, fasting is not safe for everyone – pregnant and lactating mothers, as well as those suffering from diabetes and other metabolic disorders, need to be especially careful.

When the body is already under stress, and its normal functioning is impaired, restriction in food can worsen well-being.

So if you are going to try this technique on yourself, consult your doctor first.

Should you feed the cold and starve the fever

“Feed the cold, starve the fever.” The proverb dates back to 1574, when a dictionary writer named John Vitals wrote: “Fasting is an excellent remedy for fever.”It is believed that this old adage arose from the belief that food warms the body during a cold, while avoiding food, cooled the body when it was overheated.

However, it is a medicine of the past that must remain there. Fasting is not recommended for the treatment of any disease. In fact, it can actually deprive your body of what it needs to fight infection, delaying your recovery.

Why does not work

When your body is fighting a cold, it needs energy in the form of calories to fight infection and heal.The same is true for fever, in which case it may be even more important.

Raising your body temperature is just one way your immune system fights infection. When your body temperature is above normal, your immune system increases the production of antibodies it needs to do its job. This rise in body temperature increases your basal metabolic rate (BMR) and forces you to burn more calories than you would otherwise.

This is why caloric intake during illness is so important.They ensure that your body has enough energy to fight off infection.

What should you do instead

Short-term loss of appetite is a common symptom of a number of illnesses, including colds and flu. You may also experience tiredness and nausea.

While food may not be your favorite when you are sick, eating a healthy diet and staying hydrated is important for a speedy recovery.

Concentrate on drinking plenty of fluids, even if you are not thirsty.Drinking fluids such as water and juice not only helps replenish fluid loss from a fever, but it also helps thin mucus and relieve nasal congestion from colds.

Moisturizing comes not only from liquid fruits, but also from vegetables – excellent sources of water. Cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelon, and strawberries are just a few water-rich foods that can keep you hydrated.

If your child refuses to drink or has not urinated for several hours, see a doctor.

Word from Verywell

Most colds can be managed at home with proper personal care, including getting enough fluids and eating foods that may help your recovery. However, there are times when a medical examination is recommended. Keep track of how long you have been feeling unwell and whether your condition is getting worse, and watch for specific symptoms and temperature levels that warrant a visit to your doctor.

90,000 Is there any truth to the old English proverb “feed the cold and starve the fever?”

Anyone will tell you that being sick is disgusting. Treating an illness by watching TV shows on Netflix around the clock seems like a good idea to many, but this remedy alone will not get rid of the disease. What else is not good for the role of a magical health elixir? The good old adage “feed the cold, but starve the fever.” The fact that this short statement with a good rhythm, so witty and easy to remember, is repeated by many generations of people, does not mean that it is true.You can’t believe everything you hear.
According to Scientific American, the oldest American popular science magazine, the roots of the old axiom “feed the cold and fever with hunger” can be found in the dictionary of John Wilsal, published in the distant 1574. It says that “fasting is an excellent remedy for fever.” The idea is that food warms the body and gives the body the strength to fight off colds, while avoiding food leads to an overall cooling effect that can help reduce fever.
However, it would probably be more correct to say: “feed the cold and the fever.” Although a common side effect of the painful condition is loss of appetite, food provides the body with calories, which are then converted into energy. When we have to confront a disease, the body especially needs energy to be fully armed in its struggle for a just cause.
However, as elsewhere, the main thing is not to overdo it. “Fasting is not a good idea,” Dr. Sharon Horesh Bergqvist, a physician at the private Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, told CNN recently.- Nevertheless, you should not be overly zealous in “feeding a cold.” You should never force yourself to eat by force. Take food only when you feel hungry. ” Well, at first glance, it is simple and straightforward.
The real key to defeating a cold is not food, but water, or rather, replenishing the lack of fluid in the body. However, each of us heard about this from my mother at least a million times, right? Fever dehydrates the body because even a small increase in body temperature causes metabolic reactions and respiration to require more water than usual.Replenishing fluid deficits as the body is battling colds is critical.
“You have to force yourself to drink as much fluids as possible, even if all you want is to fall asleep and wake up when the nightmare is over,” said Scientific American, chair of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville. , Tennessee, William Schaffner.
The story may not end there, though. Recently, the peer-reviewed scientific journal Cell published the results of a study conducted by immunologist Ruslan Medzhitov and his colleagues at Yale University.
They have attempted to understand why decreased appetite is so common during illness. Does this symptom serve a purpose that we know nothing about? As part of their study, the scientists infected one group of mice with bacteria and another with a virus. At the same time, in each of the groups, part of the mice were force-fed, while others received only glucose to maintain life.
Scientists found that force-feeding worked well in mice infected with the viruses: more than 75 percent of the mice that were fed regularly survived.In contrast, in the bacterial infection group, more than half of those mice that were not force-fed survived.
Based on the results obtained, we can say that the proverb “feed the cold and fever by starvation” is oversimplified, since fever, or fever, can be caused by both bacteria and viruses (viruses cause colds).