| Show WHAT to EAT and and WHY I 1 I 1 C houston houff on goudiss suggests f the he part played by diet in helping to fo prevent the common cold by C HOUSTON GOUDISS S statistics compiled over a period of years indicate that during the months of january and february the nu number m b er 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 in the light of past experience more adults will lose time from from their work and more children 4 will be absent from school as a result of colds than at any other period during the year the tremendous cost of colds it has been estimated that colds cost the united states more mora than a billion dollars a year that figure of course is only an est estimate mate it merely attempts to gauge the dollars and cents lost in wages and in the money spent in an effort to overcome colds it does not take tahe into account t the h a dis comforts that may be caused by this common complaint nor does it allow for the possible aftereffects of a neglected cold cause and cure obscure no scientists today are willing to state what causes colds or how they may be cured large numbers of clinical and laboratory tests have been performed throughout the world in an effort to discover why we catch cold numerous records have been made concerning colds in men women and children as scientific workers have patiently and persistently tried to investigate the cause of colds they have sought even one clue that might help us to outwit this common enemy I 1 various theories have been advanced many have been discarded and others have been considered sufficiently plausible to investigate vesti gate further there is one point on which many authorities agree that is a belief that a cold is caused by a germ so small that it cannot be seen by the most powerful microscope it has been suggested by a number of competent observers that 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 is low prevention rather than cure though we may not know precisely re what causes a cold nor how to cure it once we have been stricken we can and should help to build up bodily resistance so that we develop strong reserves against the unknown cold germ and any others lurking about inasmuch as a program for building up bodily resistance is one which encourages greater health land and longevity it is a pro gram which all forward looking homemakers should put into effect for their families helping to build resistance such i a program should include proper food normal elimination adequate exercise and sufficient rest and sleep so as to avoid fatigue just as food plays an important por part in helping to promote growth maintain health and increase the chances for longevity so does it have hav e a S stellar tell a r ro role ae in the battle to prevent colds the right food a strong weapon the well balanced diet as I 1 have previously stated is one that is built first of all upon a firm foundation of the protective foods milk eggs fresh fruits and vegetables these are the foods that are richest in minerals and vitamins substances which hel help P to regulate body processes and help to guard against deficiency diseases there should be adequate protein to allow for the demands of growth and to help repair 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 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 asked Is there any specific food substance that may be said to be particularly helpful in p preventing r ev enting colds or Is it true that vitamin A is especially valuable in com batting colds here is one answer to both questions scientists have found evidence that vitamin A which occurs most abundantly in milk and other dairy products and in green leafy and yellow vegetables helps to keep the epithelial cells of the mucous membra anesin nevin good condition so that the natural defenses are preserved one of our outstanding nutrition authorities has gone on record as saying that indis opinion at least four times the amount of vitamin A required for apparent health may bring a good return in health protection it is important to remember however that the best single piece of advice that can be given regarding diet is to eat cat moderate ly of well balanced meals dont overeat I 1 in addition to partaking adequately of the protective foods those who are endeavoring to plan a 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 and sound habits of hygiene the homemaker can go a long way toward helping her family to prevent colds coads remember that here especially an ounce of prevention I 1 is worth perhaps more than a pound of curel |
