Flu season usually peaks around February; the worst is yet to come. In January, many people start dieting to make weight-loss resolutions come true. Therein lies the tension: cutting calories can make you more susceptible to coming down with the flu. New research from Michigan State University found that calorie restriction makes it more difficult for the body to fight the flu. The study, performed on mice, indicated that even with adequate nutrition the "dieting" mice could not produce enough killer cells needed to battle the flu virus. Before you embark on a crazy, low-calorie fad diet (which I don't agree with anyway), remember your body needs calories to fuel your immune system. You just need to eat sensibly and exercise, which strengthens your immune system, too.
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Dieting and the Flu
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Good point Fit! I noticed this when I was cutting calories, I was a little more susceptible to colds.
1well it makes a lot of sense that if you're being rough on your body that you're immune system is going to be compromised. i just hope that this year i don't get sick. i'm planning for a wedding and just can't bear to have anything come up that will put me behind schedule when it comes to working out .
2so true, fit! take care of yourselves, ladies!
3Ugh, don't remind me that flu season's starting...it means SO much more work for us at the lab. But yeah, don't cut calories too much if you're fighting the flu. You need antioxidants and nutrients to give your body a good chance at fighting back. Your best bet is to pick foods that are lower in calories, but still really high in nutrients. Things like spinach, citrus fruits, blueberries, eggs, etc. are all good things to eat when you're sick. Also, drink plenty of water to help your body clear the bugs from your system and get lots of sleep!
4I JUST GOT THE FLU YESTERDAY!
5just got over pneumonia, now I have a runny nose
6This is SO true!
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