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.
Effective against cold
Most Useful Review
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I started taking vitamin C regularly after dealing with herpes outbreaks for three years. Despite taking various medications, they only provided temporary relief. However, upon my pharmacist's advice, I tried vitamin C with zinc, and it worked wonders! For three years, I have had no herpes outbreaks. Not only that, but it's become an essential remedy at the first sign of a cold for my whole family. We follow a specific dose, and remarkably, my children have never missed school in 2 years, only experiencing minor colds or sore throats. My husband, who previously relied on antibiotics for tonsillitis, has also stopped needing them. I additionally take vitamin C to boost my vascular health, and it has significantly improved my bruising.