Take zinc. Yes, the same group of international experts – the Cochrane Collaboration - who said in 1999 that there was little evidence zinc reduced cold symptoms, changed their collaborative mind in 2011. The Collaboration’s new review evaluated 15 randomized, placebo-controlled studies instead of just 8 studies. Yes, over-the-counter products containing zinc reduce both the severity and duration of cold symptoms – especially if the product is taken within 24 hours of experiencing the symptoms. Zinc is a trace mineral the body needs for basic biological processes, like cell division. Scientists don’t know why, but zinc is effective in the “cold war”.
Eat carbohydrates – “resistant starch” carbohydrates, that is. They help with weight loss. Beans, barley, brown rice, oats and whole grains are examples of resistant starches. Because they reach the large intestine without being digested in the small intestine, they act like dietary fiber. According to Health Magazine, because resistant starches digest more slowly, they make you feel fuller. They raise levels of satiety hormones that suppress hunger and speed up metabolism. They also release fatty acids that encourage fat burning, especially in the belly. When it comes to eating things like pizza, pasta and plain bread – those are “resist starches”.
Eat some more whole grains. A National Cancer Institute study surveyed approximately 500,000 AARP members ages 50-71 about their eating habits during a 9-year study. Those who ate the most daily fiber (30 grams for men and 25 grams for women) were 22% less likely to die during the study than men who ate 13 grams and women who ate 11grams. The high-fiber group was 24% less likely to die from heart disease, 31% less likely from respiratory diseases and 56% less likely from infectious diseases. Based on the source, this is information with a “whole grain” of truth.
Finally, drink alcoholic beverages – wine, beer or cocktails. According to 2 Canadian research papers published in the British Medical Journal, alcohol consumption helps protect against heart disease. The first paper reviewed 84 studies and concluded that moderate drinkers – 1 drink per day for women and 1-2 drinks per day for men – are 14%-25% less likely to develop heart disease than non-drinkers. The second paper reviewed 63 studies and found that moderate drinking (as defined above) significantly increases levels of HDL, the good cholesterol, which has a protective effect against heart disease. It seems you can literally drink to your own health.
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