feed a cold, starve the flu...or starve a cold feed the flu...?
which is the saying, and is the saying even accurate?
Posted by zadignose
"Starve a fever, feed a cold." But it's been said the other way around too. It's not sound advice.
Here's one link relating to the phrase, and suggesting that it's not serious medicine:
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1126/is-it-feed-a-cold-starve-a-fever-or-vice-versa
Posted by lilybelle
starve a fever, feed a cold. As for the accuracy? I don't really know. Eating gives you energy to fight disease, and you need more energy when you're ill. Glucose is especially important.
Posted by Atheist
The actual saying is..
Feed a cold, Starve a fever.
It's correct. When you have a cold, lots of nutrients will give your body the firepower to fight off the infection.
The fever, on the other hand, is already in the process of being fought off. This is what is making your body temperature to rise. In actuality, a fever is felt all over your body.
Because of your higher body temperature, you starve a fever by taking in more water (to hydrate yourself) than you do nutrients.
Best wishes.
Posted by krishnamoorthynagarajan
Modern medical advice for both is to take proper food and medication under medical supervision/guidance.
Posted by Janny
The old saying is "Feed a cold, starve a fever". I think what they meant was to get good nutrition when when you have a cold (chicken soup is actually known to help recovery), and drink plenty of fluids when you have a fever to lower your body temperature and stay hydrated. In reality, I think the best advice is to always get good nutrition and drink plenty of fluids so that your body has the building blocks to help your immune system stave off and recover from illness. In the case of congestion like a cold, bronchitis, etc., milk products should be limited as they tend to increase mucous production. Clear fluids and juices are better.
Add your own answer in the comments! Cold and Flu Basics - Cold and Flu Center - Gocoldflu.info
How to recognize the symptoms of cold and flu, which treatments work best, and advice on staying healthy during cold and flu season
Orignal From: feed a cold, starve the flu...or starve a cold feed the flu...?
Post a Comment