IN a sign of a cold, do you immediately take vitamin C or drink a cup of hot herbal tea, such as ekinasea (Echinacea)? Both were allegedly unable to combat the symptoms of flu.
Vitamin C and herbs ekinasea can not ward off the common cold. However, researchers have different opinions about this one. Dr. Seth Feltheimer of New York-Presbyterian Hospital / Columbia Medical Center stated, there are no consistently positive reviews for Vitamin C or ekinasea. "I think I want to say that vitamin C and ekinasea useful, but can not," he said, as quoted from NYdailynews , Thursday (12/23/2010).
Ekinesea offers warmth for the body is cold to prevent sneezing and runny nose. In fact, according to a study from the American College of Physicians, this herb is mentioned as a way to prevent flu with only "minimal effect". While Joy Lindquist, health coordinator of the cancer center of Long Island College Hospital, said that vitamin C and ekinasea effective if taken at the first sign of flu.
"The reason they are not effective in some people is a special case. If you adopt a poor diet, do not maintain personal hygiene, and not enough rest, do not expect them to work," he said.
Lindquist ekinasea recommend 6-8 tablets per day, along with 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C. He does not recommend high doses of vitamin C. "Your body will absorb too much. And if you eat too much, it will be in vain," he said. The results stated that the tablet ekinasea opposite does not reduce the severity of flu symptoms and shorten the duration of cough is only approximately 70-20 hours. In fact, this study concludes, in most cases, ekinasea not useful.
Flu Prevention
ENT Specialists Lenox Hill Hospital, Dr. Jordan S. Josephson believes that taking vitamin C can help reduce the severity of colds, but the researchers are still analyzing whether vitamin C is really effective. "More in-depth studies are needed," he said. As a form of flu prevention, Dr. Jordan said, good diet, adequate rest, and taking a multivitamin.
"In this season, especially, is important for the body enough rest. Also, it is important to maintain body fluids, so drink more water," he advised. One of the other supplements that should be consumed is zinc.
"There is some evidence that the tablets of zinc can shorten the duration of the flu. But, tablet zincunpleasant taste and side effects can cause diarrhea, nausea, and flatulence, "he said.