The myths and truths about immunity
Oxygen|Fall 2020
It’s time to separate science from science fiction when it comes to your health and boost your immunity IQ.
Sandy Todd Webster
The myths and truths about immunity

With cold and flu season upon us, there’s good reason to question the most common parables about immunity. Here, we leverage science to help deconstruct five of the most fabled assertions about health and the human condition.

Myth: Vitamin C prevents colds.

Truth: Not really, but it may reduce suffering time — a little bit. Meta-analyses examining whether prophylactic doses (200 milligrams) of vitamin C could prevent a cold revealed that there was no reduction in the frequency of catching a cold and only a little evidence — 8 to 14 percent — that it helped reduce the duration of colds. However, when looking specifically at skiers and marathoners in training, researchers found that a 200-plus-milligram dose of vitamin C cut their odds of getting a cold in half. If you regularly do high-intensity workouts, ensure you get your daily recommended 75 milligrams either through supplementation or through diet by way of dark leafy greens, bell peppers, tomatoes and sweet potatoes.

Myth: You should feed a cold and starve a fever.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM OXYGENView all
Work Hard. Be Nice To People.
Oxygen

Work Hard. Be Nice To People.

This is the mantra of trainer and social media mogul Claire P. Thomas. And as we found out, it suits her to a tee.

time-read
10 mins  |
Fall 2021
The Power Of Suggestion
Oxygen

The Power Of Suggestion

Though the media makes it out to be voodoo, hypnosis may be your secret sauce for success.

time-read
3 mins  |
Fall 2021
Test Your Fitness Levels
Oxygen

Test Your Fitness Levels

Exactly how fit are you? How do you measure up? Find out with these next-level self-trials from Autumn Calabrese, Beachbody trainer and author of Lose Weight Like Crazy Even If You Have a Crazy Life (Galvanized Media, 2020).

time-read
4 mins  |
Fall 2021
Ankle weights
Oxygen

Ankle weights

Does this ‘80s staple still have a place in modern workouts? Our experts weigh in.

time-read
3 mins  |
Fall 2021
THE POWER CLEAN (Discover this dirty little secret for better functional fitness.)
Oxygen

THE POWER CLEAN (Discover this dirty little secret for better functional fitness.)

OLYMPIC LIFTS ARE A VALUABLE TOOL FOR IMPROVING STRENGTH and athletic performance — and as a side bonus, they also help develop crazy-good muscle shape, size, and definition. In fact, one could argue that the power-clean portion of the clean-and-jerk is the best exercise ever devised. “The clean is a functional movement used [routinely] in everyday activities,” says Aaron Viscounte, CSCS, head coach and manager at Summer’s Fitness Inc. in North Canton, Ohio. “We use aspects of the clean to pick up a box and put it on a shelf, move furniture or even go grocery shopping.” During a power clean, the barbell travels from the floor to the “racked” position at shoulder level and back down again. We tapped some elite trainers for their step-by-step expert advice on making the most of every rep.

time-read
6 mins  |
Fall 2021
The science of happıness
Oxygen

The science of happıness

WHY DOES A GOOD WORKOUT MAKE YOU FEEL SO MUCH HAPPIER? TURNS OUT, IT HAS AS MUCH TO DO WITH YOUR HEAD AS WITH YOUR BODY.

time-read
7 mins  |
Fall 2021
THE [ABCs] OF GREAT GLUTES
Oxygen

THE [ABCs] OF GREAT GLUTES

Improve athletic performance and perfect your posterior aesthetic with these 18 awesome exercises.

time-read
9 mins  |
Fall 2021
Three's the charm
Oxygen

Three's the charm

After the birth of her third daughter, Lindsay Raynne vowed to get healthy.

time-read
2 mins  |
Fall 2021
Keep your head in the game
Oxygen

Keep your head in the game

Adding a few targeted ingredients to your otherwise healthy lifestyle is a yes-brainer when it comes to maintaining your mind.

time-read
3 mins  |
Fall 2021
Recovery Discovery
Oxygen

Recovery Discovery

The fitness space is flooded with products, potions and protocols promising to optimize your recovery from training. See what science has to say about some of the most popular applications.

time-read
9 mins  |
Summer 2021