Diet to beat common cold

The common cold is caused by some of the infections and viruses. Diet including some of the nutrients plays a major role in preventing common cold. Proper nutrition also maintains proper immunity.

Vitamin C is most important vitamin in preventing cold. It also reduces the duration and alleviates the symptoms of the cold. Vitamin C can act like an anti histamine drug. Vitamin C acts like anti oxidant. Vitamin C rich foods include citrus fruits, tomato, guava, lychee, kiwi, peaches, nectarines, peppers, cabbage and cauliflower.

Zinc reduces common cold symptoms. Zinc inhibits the reproduction of viruses. Some of the food sources of zinc include milk, almonds, yogurt, fruits, oysters, cheese, peas, oat meal and fortified breakfast cereals.

Fluids: The type of fluid you drink is important it is better to avoid concentrated sugar juices etc. But adequate fluids are necessary to which helps in prevention of dehydration and also improves white blood cell function.

Exercise also helps in maintaining immunity and prevents from common cold. 

Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners are low calorie substances used as sweeteners to replace sugar and other caloric sweeteners. Many kinds of artificial sweeteners are available saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, alitame, neotame, acesulfame-K, sucralose and Stevia.

Saccharin is a synthetic, white crystalline powder; benzoic sulfinide has effectively no food energy and is much sweeter than sucrose. It is 350 times sweeter than sugar, but has an unpleasant bitter aftertaste. It is not easily digested by the body. Trade name is symcal. Used in soft drinks, chewing gums, jams, jellies, sauces, gelatin and salad dressings. Commercially available in three forms as a sodium salt, as a calcium salt and in the acid form.

Cyclamate is the sodium or calcium salt of cyclamic acid. It is 30–50 times sweeter than sugar. Available in three forms cyclamic acid, calcium cyclamate and sodium cyclamate. It is not suitable for diabetes. Used in caramels, chewing gums and hard candies.

Aspartame is the methyl ester of a phenylalanine/aspartic acid dipeptide. It is 200 times sweeter than sugar and 70 percent of all aspartame is used in sodas. It has flavour enhancing properties. When taken in less it is metabolized. Trade name is neutral sweet. Used for carbonated beverages, puddings, frozen fruit, juice, RTE products.

Alitame is similar to Aspartame in that it is made from amino acids, namely L-aspartic acid and D-alanine. It is 2000 times sweeter than sucrose.

Neotame is a white crystalline powder manufactured from two amino acids, phenylalanine and aspartic acid. It is 7,000 to 13,000 times sweeter than sugar, so very little of it is needed to sweeten foods.

Acesulfame-K is 200 times sweeter than sugar and the body can't break it down, so it's excreted from the body unchanged. It is freely soluble in water. It is not metabolized in the body. Used for imitation dairy products, pickles, beverages, marinated fish etc.

Sucralose is similar in structure to regular sugar and contains maltodextrin and it is 600 times sweeter than sugar. Your body absorbs very little of this artificial sweetener. No after taste. It can be used in all products.

Stevia is made from rebaudioside A, one of the components of the Stevia rebaudiana. It is 250 times sweeter than sugar. Many people who want to avoid sugar and calories use stevia in the form of a non-nutritive sweetener or as an extract.

Aspartin It provides same number of calories as sugar but the quantity is small, so calories added are less by giving less quantity.

Sugar alcohols:

Manitol: Manitol is converted into fructose. It is not metabolized and provides 2 kcals / Gm. It has laxative effect, when consumed in large quantity. It is less desirable in diabetic patients. Used in hard candies, cough drops chewing gums, jams and jellies.

Sorbitol: It is a common sweetener. In liver it is converted into fructose, it is metabolized independently of insulin. Used in chewing gums, cough drops, jellies, baked products, baking mixes, frozen dairy desserts.

Xylitol: Present in many fruits and vegetables. Metabolized directly in liver or indirectly by fermentation of bacteria in intestine. It is as sweet as sucrose.

Maltitol: Produced by hydrogenation of maltose. Enzymatic hydrolysis of corn starch.

Body Signs that Something is Missing for your Health

According to recent studies, a human body sends many signs indicating that there is something missing in the individual’s health. These signs can identify the underlying medical problem that needs immediate attention and thus, in many circumstances, can prevent the declaration of any medical emergency. It is advisable to check ones’ body from head to toe for any tell-tale signs. Some of few such body signs are mentioned below:

Eyebrows: If one notices the loss of hair on the outer corner or they appear to be shortening, then that could be the indication of low thyroid hormone.

Eyelids: Tiny-yellow bumps in the inner corner of the eye can be fatty acid deposits, which is an important sign of high cholesterol level in the individual’s body.

Eyes: Bulging eye can be a sign of overactive hormone. Yellow coloration of eye may indicate liver disease or any problem associated with the gall bladder.

Earlobes: According to the NIH study, a diagonal crease in the earlobe is very significant. It may indicate a blocked circulation throughout the body and may be linked to a possibility of a heart attack.

Hair: Dry and brittle hair can be an indication of a thyroid problem or iron deficiency. Premature graying of hair indicates vitamin B12 deficiency. A sudden hair loss is considered a sign of too much stress.

Bruising: Bruising a lot more than usual could be an early sign of leukemia or reaction to medications.

Varicose veins and spider veins: Usually, these are hereditary. But, if they develop seemingly overnight accompanied with calf swelling or tenderness, then that could indicate an internal blood-clot (deep vein thrombosis), which is a medical emergency. A spider vein on the abdomen can be a sign of liver disease.

Finger nails: Dry and brittle nails can be an indication of a thyroid disease or an iron or vitamin B12 deficiency. Horizontal lines on the nail indicate heart disease or heart failure. Yellow or brown nails could be due to fungal infection or may even indicate a lung disease.

Small, painless lumps on the chest or under arm can be a sign of breast cancer in case of both male and female.

Therefore, it is extremely important for an individual to properly check his/her body on a regular basis for such indicators recognize the subtle changes and consult the doctor.