Can Fasting Fight The Flu Or Common Cold?

Regardless of whether you eat or not, keep in mind that consuming adequate fluids and getting enough rest remains key. Yet, there is no reason to force yourself to eat if you don’t feel hungry. Based on the current evidence, eating when you’re hungry seems to be a good idea. Finally, ensure that you are eating plenty of nutrient-dense, whole foods.

However, studies have shown that intermittent fasting has some minor side effects. Dry fasting involves a period of time when you don’t eat or drink anything, including water. While you may lose weight, it can also be dangerous. When trying to reduce stomach symptoms associated with the flu, it’s best to stick to eating bland, easily digested foods.

Garlic, in addition to being a prebiotic, contains compounds shown to prevent infection and boost defenses against the common cold and flu . So far, there is only limited evidence that fasting improves the common cold or flu. To be perfectly clear, cold and flu infections are initially caused by viruses, specifically the rhinovirus and influenza virus. This article explores whether fasting has any benefits against the flu or common cold. These drugs can shorten the duration of the flu and prevent complications such as pneumonia.

However, they may not be effective if not started within 48 hours of getting sick. In most cases, fluids and rest are the best ways to treat the flu. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Over-the-counter decongestants and pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, may control your symptoms and help you feel better. Because colds spread so easily, the best prevention is avoidance. Don’t share utensils or any other personal items, such as a toothbrush or towel.

On the other hand, drinking enough makes the mucus more fluid, making it easier to clear. Abstaining from eating limits the supply of nutrients, such as iron and zinc, that the infecting agent needs to grow and spread . From an evolutionary perspective, lack of hunger eliminates the need to find food. This saves energy, reduces heat loss and essentially allows the body to focus solely on fighting off the infection . Once your glycogen is depleted, which generally occurs after 24–48 hours, your body starts using amino acids and fat for energy . Fasting is defined as the abstinence from foods, drinks or both for a period of time.

Flu symptoms come on quickly and can be severe. Typically, postnasal drip can be alleviated at home. Try these remedies and OTC products to relieve your symptoms. To ensure these beneficial bacteria continue to multiply, make sure to also favor a diet rich in prebiotics, such as bananas, garlic, onions and dandelion greens. Probiotics help prevent harmful bacteria from taking over your intestines or entering your bloodstream, effectively protecting you from infection. This is largely due to the large amounts of beneficial bacteria that reside there, which can be reinforced by taking probiotics.

Adding a pinch of salt to your fluids will also help replenish some of the electrolytes lost through sweat, vomiting or diarrhea. Finally, foods high in vitamin C, such as oranges, mango, papaya, berries and cantaloupe, could also help reduce the severity of symptoms symptoms of depression . Warm liquids, such as soups, provide both calories and water. They have also been shown to reduce congestion . The lack of appetite often accompanying an infection is a way to encourage your body to remove infected cells through a process known as cell apoptosis .

All the studies so far seem to agree that the beneficial effects of fasting are limited to the acute phase of infection — usually lasting up to just a few days. This study suggested that fasting may best promote healing from bacterial infections, while eating food how to use bitters may be a better way to fight viral infections . The simplest way to tell the difference is by looking at your symptoms. Salt water gargles are touted as an effective and easy home remedy for a sore throat. It can have a more severe impact than other flu strains.

Of note, intermittent fasting has also been shown to cause weight loss . A previous experiment in mice with bacterial infections supports this. Mice that were force-fed were less likely to survive compared to mice allowed to eat according to appetite . Interestingly, results from a small study suggest that the type of infection may dictate whether eating is beneficial or not .

Sharing goes both ways — when you’re sick with a cold, stay home. Influenza — or the flu, as it’s better known — is another upper respiratory illness. Unlike a cold, which can hit at any time of year, the flu is generally seasonal. Flu season usually runs from fall to spring, peaking during the winter months. Keep your hands away from your nose, eyes, and mouth when they’re not freshly washed.

It’s important to mention that the exact ways in which fasting affects the immune system are not yet fully understood. It can increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called Reye’s syndrome. Wash your hands often with hot water and soap to get rid of any germs you might’ve picked up during the day or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Colds spread when someone who’s sick sneezes or coughs, sending virus-filled droplets flying through the air. If you have a temperature of 96°F (35.55°C), but you feel sick, it may be due to certain illnesses, conditions, or an incorrect reading.

Learn about recent outbreaks, outlook, prevention, and more. You could have allergies or a bacterial infection that requires antibiotics, such as sinusitis or strep throat. A nagging cough could also be a sign of asthma or bronchitis. A 2015 study in BMC Family Practice found that high-dose rolled vs steel cut oats zinc lozenges could shorten the length of colds if taken within 24 hours of showing symptoms. Use your symptoms as a guide to figure out which condition you have. If you think you might have the flu, see your doctor to get tested within the first 48 hours of showing symptoms.

Colds come on gradually over a few days and are often milder than the flu. They usually get better in 7 to 10 days, although symptoms can last for up to 2 weeks. Your nose is stuffy, your throat is scratchy, and your head is pounding. Some people report that eating dairy thickens mucous, leading to increased congestion. However, the evidence for this is strictly anecdotal. Thus, some of the aforementioned health benefits may be due to the weight loss caused by fasting, as opposed to fasting itself .

The best way to prevent the flu is by getting the flu shot. Most doctors recommend getting the flu vaccine in October or at the very start of flu season. The seasonal flu is caused by the influenza A, B, and C viruses, with influenza A and B being the most common types. Active strains of influenza virus vary from year to year. That’s why a new flu vaccine is developed each year. You can get sick if you touch a surface that has recently been handled by an infected person and then touch your nose, mouth, or eyes.

Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Vitamin C doesn’t seem to prevent colds, but if you take it consistently, it might lessen your symptoms, according to a 2013 Cochrane review. Echinacea hasn’t been shown to help prevent or treat colds. A 2017 study in BMJ found vitamin D helps protect against both colds and flu. Though you can catch a cold at any time of year, colds are more common during the winter months. This is because most cold-causing viruses thrive in low humidity.