Nancy Dell: Garlic & Herbs for Colds; 1 Fatty Meal is Dangerous

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) -  

1. Does eating garlic prevent colds? 
Caroline, Internet       

Experts at the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine say eating 2 raw garlic cloves a day may help reduce your risk of getting a cold. It is not because nobody will come near you, although that may be the case, but because a compound in crushed garlic called Allicin helps to fight viruses.

In one study, participants who took 180 milligrams of Allicin a day, for 12 weeks, caught 63 percent fewer colds than those taking a placebo.

In addition to garlic, other herbs and spices may help. The Integrative Medicine physicians also recommend eating more oregano, thyme and turmeric to boost your immunity. They are great in soups and sauces.

Do any foods increase your risk of getting a cold? Sugar can increase your risk. In a study at Loma Linda University, researchers had people consume 6 Tablespoons of sugar a day in juice, honey or sugary drinks. They found that for several hours after eating sugar, our immune system is depressed and can't fight off bacteria and viruses.

2. Is even 1 fatty meal bad for my heart?
Rob, Internet       

Yes, even 1 meal makes a difference.

Canadian researchers had people eat a healthy meal of salmon, almonds and vegetables cooked in olive oil; versus a meal of a sausage, egg and cheese sandwich with hashbrowns. 

Researchers did ultrasounds of the blood vessels after the meal and found blood flow was normal after the healthy meals, but the meal high in saturated fats constricted blood vessels and restricted blood flow increasing the risk of a heart attack.