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Why do you feed a cold and starve a fever?
Or is it just an old saying that doesn't apply at all?
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October 15, 2009 10:43 AM
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This is really not a "you must do" type of old saying because, in truth, our bodies can only manage a few days of "starving" without adverse effects.
Therefore, it is better to realize that it is more important not to put extra stresses on our bodies and digestive systems by either fasting or overeating. Our immune systems are working hard to fight off the infection, and we have to make ourselves as comfortable as possible in order to allow it (along with a fever, which is a good thing) to do its job.
Diluted and unsweetened fruit or vegetable juices are excellent and provide extra Vitamin C. Drinking hot tea and soups are important because they add the needed extra fluid, plus the warm fluid helps to break up the mucous. Gargling with hot salty water not only sooths a sore throat but helps disinfect the throat and mouth.
So bundle up, drink your warm fluids (NOT cold ones as they stress the body), and eat healthy foods to keep up your strength and aid your body in its fight.
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Therefore, it is better to realize that it is more important not to put extra stresses on our bodies and digestive systems by either fasting or overeating. Our immune systems are working hard to fight off the infection, and we have to make ourselves as comfortable as possible in order to allow it (along with a fever, which is a good thing) to do its job.
Diluted and unsweetened fruit or vegetable juices are excellent and provide extra Vitamin C. Drinking hot tea and soups are important because they add the needed extra fluid, plus the warm fluid helps to break up the mucous. Gargling with hot salty water not only sooths a sore throat but helps disinfect the throat and mouth.
So bundle up, drink your warm fluids (NOT cold ones as they stress the body), and eat healthy foods to keep up your strength and aid your body in its fight.
Life experience and reading many articles
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October 14, 2009 08:31 PM
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When you have a fever, you basic metabolic rate goes up. It can actually increase quite drmatically. And with increased basal metabolic rate is increased burn of calories. So your caloric requirements go up. That's why you feed a fever... to supply the increased caloric needs
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October 15, 2009 03:47 AM
http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/47/58.cfm
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Without posting a multitude of source links what happens is this:
When you get a fever your internal organs are protected by your body - the stomach stops digesting food as quickly as before. Your body conserves the energy to overcome the fever ( your immune system using a lot of energy!!!! ). So basically if you have a fever the food sits in your stomach and goes off, making you feel worse.
On the other hand, if you have no fever ( and that's quite typical of a cold ) your body needs energy to get better, the body isn't too hot so your digestive system works fine and eating is the best thing you can do. Yummy fresh and juice vegetables and fruit to boost your natural sugars and rehydrate yourself.....
Really it boils down to if your hungry or not - if you're hungry your body is requesting food to get better so feed it :) if its so sick its shut down a bit to get better then leave it alone, go to bed and drink some water......
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When you get a fever your internal organs are protected by your body - the stomach stops digesting food as quickly as before. Your body conserves the energy to overcome the fever ( your immune system using a lot of energy!!!! ). So basically if you have a fever the food sits in your stomach and goes off, making you feel worse.
On the other hand, if you have no fever ( and that's quite typical of a cold ) your body needs energy to get better, the body isn't too hot so your digestive system works fine and eating is the best thing you can do. Yummy fresh and juice vegetables and fruit to boost your natural sugars and rehydrate yourself.....
Really it boils down to if your hungry or not - if you're hungry your body is requesting food to get better so feed it :) if its so sick its shut down a bit to get better then leave it alone, go to bed and drink some water......
http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/47/58.cfm
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