| Show WHAT to EAT and a d WHY 1 C C. Houston Goudiss Suggests the Part Played by Diet In Helping to Prevent the Common Cold I DyC ByC Dy C HOUSTON GOUDISS I STATISTICS STATISTICS compiled over a n period of years indicate that O during the months of January and February the number of colds and other respiratory infections continually mounts Usually a peak is reached in late February or early March It is during the next eight or ten weeks therefore that that in inthe inthe inthe the light of past experience more adults will lose time from and more children will be absent from school as asa asa asa a result of colds than at any other period during the year The Tremendous Cost Coit of Colds It has been estimated that colds cost the United States more than thana a billion dollars a year That figure of course is only an estimate It merely attempts to gauge the dollars Y and cents lost in wages and in the thea a money spent in an effort to overcome i colds coMs It does not take into account t the h e discomforts that may be caused by ay this common complaint Nor does it allow for the possible aftereffects aftereffects after after- effects of a neglected cold Cause and Cure Obscure No scientists today are willing willingto to state what causes colds or how they may be cured Large numbers numbers numbers num- num bers of clinical and laboratory tests have been performed throughout the world in an nn effort to o discover why we catch cold Numerous records have been made concerning colds in men women and children as scientific workers have patiently and persistently persistently persistently per per- tried to investigate the cause of col colds s. s They have sought even en one clue that might help us to outwit this common enemy I Various theories have been advanced ad ad- Many have been discarded discard ed and others have been considered considered consid consid- ered sufficiently plausible to investigate in in- further There is one point on which many authorities agree that is' is isa a belief that a coldis cold cole is caused by a germ so small smal that it cannot be seen by the mos most powerful microscope It has been suggested by a number number number num num- ber of competent observers that tha whenever the weather becomes damp and raw and wherever crowds of people gather together the cold germ may find victims among those whose resistance is islow low Prevention Rather Than Cure Cur Though we may not know precisely precisely precisely pre pre- what causes a cold nor how to cure it once we have been strIcken we can un and should help to o build up bodily resistance so that hat we develop strong reserves against the unknown cold germand germ germand germand and any others lurking about Inasmuch as a program for building up bodily resistance Isone is isone isone one which encourages greater health and longevity it is s a program program pro pro- program gram which all looking forward homemakers should put into effect ef ef- ef feet for their families Helping to Build Resistance Such a n program should include proper roper food normal elimination adequate exercise and sufficient rest and sleep so as to avoid fa fa- tigue Just as food plays an Important important Im im- im part in helping to promote growth maintain health and increase increase in in- crease the chances for tor longevity so does it have a stellar role inthe in inthe inthe the battle to prevent colds The fhe Right Food a Strong Weapon I The well balanced diet as I have previously stated slated is one that thatIs thatis thatis Is built first of all upon a firm foundation of the protective foods milk milk eggs fresh fruits and vegetables These are the foods that ar are richest in minerals and vitamins substances vitamins substances which help to regulate body processes and help to guard against deficiency diseases I There should be adequate protein protein pro pro- protein tein to allow for the demands of growth and to help repair worn- worn out body tissue There should be enough bulk or cellulose to help promote normal elimination And there should be a sufficient amount of water and other fluids for water flushes the countless channels of physical existence as asit asit asit it passes from the body through the lungs and skin as well as through the kidneys and the large intestine Significance of Vitamin A Nutrition authorities are frequently frequently frequently fre fre- asked Is there any ape ape- specific chic food substance that may be said t to be particularly helpful in preventing colds or Is it true that vitamin A is especially valuable valuable able in colds Here lIere is one answer to both questions questions questions ques ques- scientists have found evidence evi evl evidence dence that vitamin A which occurs occurs occurs oc oc- curs most abundantly in milk and other dairy products and in green leafy and yellow vegetables vegetables bles bleil helps to keep the epithelial 1 cells of the mucous membranes in good condition so BO that the natural defenses are preserved J One of our outstanding nutrition authorities has gone on record as assaying assaying 7 i saying that in his opinion at least rl four times the amount of vitamin A required for apparent health i may bring a good return in 4 health i protection It is important to remember however that the best single 1 J piece of advice that tha can be given regarding diet is to eat moderately moderate- moderate t j ly of well balanced meals I Dont Don't Overeat I In addition additon to partaking adequately adequately ade ade- adequately of the protective foods those who are endeavoring to plan plana a n program of living that will help to prevent the common cold should likewise guard against overeating One should also do everything possible to avoid coming in direct contact with persons who have colds Through a routine of correct eating eating eat eat- ing and sound habits of hygiene the homemaker can go a long way toward helping her family to pr prevent pre vent colds Remember that here especially an ounce of prevention pre Is la worth perhaps more than a pound of cur cure curet el I I Questions Answered I Mrs lUrs L L. L A. A Cv No C.-No No it is not e es essential essential es- es to include an egg in the school childs child's breakfast provided he receives an egg in some form during the day An ample and easily digested breakfast might include fruit cereal with milk toast and milk to drink Miss lUiss C. C M. M Yes M.-Yes Yes it is true that molasses contains calcium The amount in a tablespoon and a halt hall has been compared to the amount of this mineral which can be obtained obtained ob oh- tamed from one and one half haU cups of diced carrots C. o Houston Go Goudiss 4 |
