How to cure Colds and Flu

CONSUME PLENTY OF

• Fruits and vegetables for vitamin C.
• Garlic and hot peppers (chilies), which mayact as natural decongestants.
• Fluids to loosen phelgm

THE ROLE OF DIET

While there is no cure for colds or flu, eating properly may help to prevent them, shorten their duration, or make symptom less severe. More than two decades of extensive reaserch have failed to substantiate claims that megadoses of vitamin C can prevent or cure colds. While there is no evidence to suggest that it will prevent you from getting sick, some studies show it will shorten the lenght of the cold or lessen the symptoms. Vitamin C is known to have a slight antihistaminic effect, so drinking more citrus juices or taking a supplement may help reduce nasal symptoms.

One of the worst effect of high fever is dehydration. During a cold or a flu, drink a minimum of 8 to 10 glasses of fluids a day inorder to replenish lost fluids, keep mucous membranes moist, and loosen the phlegm. Drink water, tea, and broth. Abstain from alcohol which dilates small blood vessels and make the sinuses feel stuffed up. Alcohol may produce adverse effects when taken with many drugs and reduces body’s ability to fight inffection. The debate whether to starve a cold and feed a fever is obsolete; doctors recommend eating when you feel hungry. The following foods may be helpful and comforting.

Chicken soup. Grandma was right! not only is it soothing and easy to digest, but chicken soup also contains cystine, a compound that helps thin the mucus, relieving congestion.

Spicy foods. Hot peppers, or chilies contain a capsaicin, a substance that can help break up nasal and sinus congestion. Garlic, turmeric, and other hot spices have a similar effect.

The effect o a zinc on the common cold and remain controversia. Some research shows that sucking on zinc lozenges at the first sign of a cold may help cut the cold’s duration and/or severity. Taking zinc supplement over a prolonged period is not a good idea since getting more than 40 mg per day over a long period of time can actually weaken your immune system, making it less able to fight against disease. It is important to ensure that your diet contains zinc-rich foods since zinc is important to a healthy immune system. Food source of a zinc included seafood(especially oysters), red meat and poultry, yogurt and other dairy products. Wheat germ, wheat bran, and whole grains.

When should you see a doctor?

Most colds and bouts of flu go away by themselves, but doctors should be seen if you have:

• A cough that produces green, yellow, or bloody phlegm.
• Severe headache or pain in the face, jaw or ear.
• Trouble swallowing or breathing.
• A fever over 100 degrees Farenheit(37.8 degrees Celsius) that lasts more than 48 hours.

source: Readers’ Digest Foods that Harm Food that Heal an A-Z Guide to safe and healthy eating

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