Vitamin C and colds
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Despite the popular belief that vitamin C can cure the common cold, the scientific evidence for this is conflicting.
Large doses of vitamin C, for example, may help reduce the duration of a cold, but they do not appear to protect against one in the first place, even after exposure to a cold virus.
Vitamin C may only be useful in case of a cold if you have low levels of this nutrient to begin with. The likelihood of success may be very individual -- some people improve, while others do not.
People with kidney disease should avoid vitamin C supplements. Most experts advise that you meet your daily vitamin and mineral requirements by eating a balanced diet. Taking more than 500 mg of vitamin C at any one time provides no advantage. More than that amount is simply lost through non-absorption or urination.
References
Sasazuki S, Sasaki S, Tsubono Y, Okubo S, Hayashi M, Tsugane S. Effect of vitamin C on common cold: randomized controlled trial. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2006;60(1):9 - 17.
Hemila H. Vitamin C supplementation and respiratory infections: a systematic review. Mil Med. 2004 Nov;169(11):920-5.
Simasek M, Blandino DA. Treatment of the common cold. Am Fam Physician. 2007:75(4):515-520.
Reviewed By: Charlotte Grayson, MD, Private Practice specializing in Internal Medicine, Smyrna, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
