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In other threads the apparent lessened susceptibility towards virus infections on CR ( ? innate immunity) yet greater vulnerability towards increased severity, duration and complications from said virus ( see https://www.crsociety.org/topic/11539-cr-immunity-and-under-nutrition-and-rhesus-ls/?hl=virus&do=findComment&comment=15367) have been described. While one paper endorsed flu-season increases in caloric intake, a separate question is how to handle a cold if one is already practicing caloric restriction. Do you deliberately eat more and / or intervene in a manner to direct personal biomarkers in a certain direction? In another instance (for debate) Nutritional Yeast is one agent that has certain desireable immunological properties, reducing the incidence and severity of colds in at least one study - see http://nutritionfacts.org/video/nutritional-yeast-to-prevent-the-common-cold/for more. While Michael attributes this desirable property - said to occur paradoxically without inducing increasing inflammation - to beta glucan fiber, I wonder whether its role increasing IGF-1 may play a roll as well? I am not aware of any good studies showing administration of IGF-1 or enhancing it through dietary intervention can lessen the duration or severity of colds however I have not examined carefully and perhaps someone is aware of such research? Notably while we try to have IGF-1 on the lower end of the spectrum to to it's inflammatory / again / cancer promotion properties, it is a two-edged sword ( see http://www.livingthecrway.com/home/forum/cutting-edge-science/low-igf-1---good-or-bad- and https://www.crsociety.org/topic/11411-igf-1-tradeoff-performance-vs-longevity/ ). Likewise I do see data that it at least modulates immune function ( http://pharmrev.aspetjournals.org/content/62/2/199.full) but the clinical consequences for the common cold intervening after one develops a cold is not clear. If IGF-1 was beneficial post-hoc with flu infection, perhaps it would be adventageous to elevate it with cold virus infections occur through having more tofu along with the nutrition yeast, etc. ( this post clearly coming from a pseudo-vegetarian!). Lastly, even if IGF-1 is not part of the mechanism, is it a good idea to eat more when you get sick, and what are your practices and/or research you use to rationalize the behavior? The best I have found for an overall balanced perspective on the studies has been http://www.precisionnutrition.com/what-to-eat-when-sick, however the evidence presented on efficacy of the specific suggestions (e.g - Stevia at the end of the article) in my estimation has been rather weak and speculative? I would not be hasty to assume because CR rodents do poorly exposed to the cold virus relative to controls ( http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/features/the-truth-behind-moms-cold-and-flu-advice ), that AL feeding or heartier meals in humans is beneficial. Digestion may take resources away from immunologic function, and many of us are familiar with the adverse outcomes. Would be very curious regarding personal experiences and/or references on interventions when already sick, as well as whether any potential positive role for allowing for temporary spikes in IGF-1.