Winter Cough Still Hanging On?

Article by healthybalance.com staff
Posted on June 04, 2008

Last winter seemed like a long one! If you’re like most people, no doubt you came down with a cold or two—or even the flu—during the past several months. If you’re a woman and you still have a cough hanging on, it might not be a left over from last winter’s illness.

When researchers noted that more women than men experienced chronic, unexplained coughs, they sought a reason. A study presented to the American College of Chest Physicians in Chicago found that persistent coughs in women who do not smoke might be caused by a simple iron deficiency.

“We put the two together,” said Dr. Caterina Bucca, researcher from the University of Turin in Italy. “Cough is much more frequent in women and iron deficiency is very frequent in women due to pregnancy and menses.”

Another clue for the researchers was the fact that immune function suffers when an otherwise healthy person is low in iron. Iron helps to regulate the proteins in the immune system that control inflammation. Because inflammation of the upper respiratory system causes cough, the iron connection makes perfect sense.

How can you increase iron in your diet?

• Eat plenty of dark colored greens, like spinach, kale, collards or bok choi.
• Don’t pass by those egg yolks. Eggs’ cholesterol risks are overstated.
• Meat, especially red meat, is high in iron. However, beware of meats with hormone and preservative additives.
• 100% whole grains contain iron. Make sure your breads and pasta have “whole wheat flour” or another whole grain listed as the first ingredient.
• Iron rich fruit include apricots and figs. Bring along a container of the dried variety to munch on.

If you eat an iron rich food along with a vitamin C source, you will absorb more of the iron (fried eggs, whole wheat toast and orange juice). Also, try cooking your food in an iron skillet. If you decide to take a non-prescription iron supplement, buy one recommended by a trusted health-food store.

Iron out your cough problem:
Naturally occurring iron is easier for your body to absorb than iron added in supplemental form to white breads and cereals. The following fruits and vegetables are good sources of iron. Snacking on these between meals is one more way to boost your iron intake.

Fruits
• Raisins
• Blackberries
• Kiwis
• Strawberries
• Tomatoes
• Bananas
• Grapes

Vegetables
• Lima Beans
• Peas
• Avocados
• Kale
• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Winter squash
• Potatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Corn
• Carrots
• Mushrooms