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Vitamin C and colds - Overview

Overview

Alternative Names

Colds and vitamin C

Information:

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 nonabsorption or urination.

Vitamin C and colds

Reviewed last on: 8/8/2008
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.

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;60:9-17.

Hemila H. Vitamin C supplementation and respiratory infections: a systematic review. Mil Med. 2004;169:920-925.

Simasek M, Blandino DA. Treatment of the common cold. Am Fam Physician. 2007;75:515-520.

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