Effectiveness of Vitamin C on ColdsVitamin C for the common cold and pneumonia.
We explored the effects of vitamin C on the common cold and pneumonia by examining a range of studies. Interestingly, research on animals suggests that vitamin C may have protective effects against infections. However, when it comes to preventing colds in the general population, taking more than 1 gram of vitamin C per day didn’t show significant benefits.
But there's a twist! Participants engaged in heavy physical activities saw their cold incidence reduced by half with vitamin C supplementation. Additionally, regular intake of 1 gram or more daily was linked to a 15% decrease in cold severity. While some therapeutic trials showed inconsistent results when vitamin C was taken after cold symptoms appeared, two studies did indicate that larger doses (6-8 grams per day) could effectively shorten the duration of colds compared to lower doses.
Our investigation also looked into pneumonia, but the studies were conducted in unique settings, such as a boarding school and military recruits. This makes it hard to generalize the findings to the wider population. Yet, some trials suggested benefits for pneumonia patients. Finally, the role of vitamin C in treating COVID-19 and sepsis remains unclear, with mixed results.
Given that vitamin C seems to alleviate symptoms and shorten the duration of colds, while being safe and affordable, it might be worth considering a dose of 6-8 grams per day to see if it helps at an individual level.
Combats cold symptoms
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The best way to combat a cold or flu is with Emergen-C. It effectively alleviates symptoms of illnesses like colds and flus. I’ve even managed to eliminate colds by taking it at the first signs. When that itchy throat sensation indicates a cold is approaching, I recommend drinking several cups. Continue until the cold has disappeared. It’s less effective for flus but does aid in symptom relief. The warm water also soothes sore throats, which is an added benefit. It tastes pleasant, so there's no worry of having to force it down. Unlike some medications, it won’t leave you feeling woozy or dizzy. I’ve convinced a few sceptics to try this when they were ill, and I too was a non-believer until I experienced its effectiveness.