When I searched online I found out that “Feed a cold, Starve a fever” is an old saying by John Withals, which noted that “fasting is a great remedy of fever.”
The belief is that eating food may help the body generate warmth during a “cold” and that avoiding food may help it cool down when overheated.
But recent medical science says the old saw is wrong. It should be “Feed a cold, Feed a fever.” First for cold, eating can also help the body generate heat to keep you warm. For fever, fever is part of the immune system’s attempt to beat the bugs. It raises body temperature, which increases metabolism and results in more calories burned; for each degree of temperature rise, the energy demand increases further. So taking in calories is very important.
Even more crucial is drinking. Fever dehydrates your system, in part through increased sweating from that elevated temperature. Replacing fluids is therefore critical to helping the body battle the infection. The same is true for combating colds. “You have to make yourself drink fluids, even though all you want to do is collapse,”
Over-the-counter remedies may or may not help. They can relieve symptoms but they do not kill off viruses or bacteria. Cold and fever germs usually run their course, and the immune system in our body eventually will beat them up. So drink drink drink and sleep as much as you can, to give your body the rest it needs to fight the good fight.
Cold supplements like Emergen C or Cold-Fx has been shown to be effective in reducing the frequency,severity and duration of cold and flu symptoms by boosting the immune system in adults.
Last but not lease,Acupuncture is also a great way to boost your immune system without any side effect. Practiced for over 2500 years in various Asian cultures, acupuncture has finally made its way to the Western world. In our clinical practice, many patients have sought treatment for weak immunity.A typical pattern includes frequent colds and flus, recurring sinus infections, acupuncture can be an effective way to break the cycle of chronic vulnerability to the elements.
Acupuncture works by regulating the flow of Qi(Life force or Energy) through 14 major meridians on the body.Immune weakness is typically due to deficient Qi of the lung and spleen. When these organs are weak,symptoms such as allergies, diarrhea, fatigue,cough, and recurring infections are commonplace.For these issues, acupuncture points are chosen on the lung and spleen meridian to supplement the Qi, thereby strengthening immune function.
Moxibustion is also a powerful tool in the acupuncture repertoire.
Moxibustion is a heat therapy that involves the use of mugowrt, an herb that is applied topically on acupuncture points. Moxibustion has shown in studies to increase white blood cell count in chemotherapy patients and other cases of immune weakness. For patients with recurring infections and colds, moxibustion is an excellent technique for naturally bolstering immunity.
Call Oriental Acupuncture Clinic today at 416-800-3978
to set up your first appointment!
Healing from the root, beyond treating symptoms.
So you can experience greater health and well-being!
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