R.C. Anderson
Vitamin C … a cold’s worse enemy. Or is it?
July 20th 2007 11:08
We’ve all grown up believing the amazing benefits of filling your body with vitamin C when you have a cold. Haven’t we?
We heard it from our parents and pass it on to our own children that this water soluble vitamin has magical effects on the cold virus; reducing the severity and duration of the common cold and making us feel better at a time of … well … a time of not feeling too crash hot.
Scientists have recently decided that this is rubbish and boosting your body’s vitamin C intake will have no effect what-so-ever on colds or flu. Research involving over 11,000 subjects has concluded that taking vitamin C tablets regularly will not lessen the risk of catching a cold. This is also true for eating oranges or drinking orange juice.
The results of the study, published in the respected medical journal Cochrane Library, found that people taking a dose of vitamin C equal to four times the amount found in the average shop bought supplement, were only around 2 per cent less likely to catch a cold.
The duration of the virus was also under scrutiny, with the vitamin C takers showing only a marginal improvement in the length of time the cold stuck around. The average person will generally suffer from common colds for around 12 days each year, taking copious amounts of vitamin C only reduced this by one day to 11.
A pretty negligible reduction.
Apparently, taking vitamin C supplements when symptoms first occur, with a view to aiding recovery was basically a waste of time and money. Alternatively, vitamin C was of more benefit to marathon runners, skiers and people in the Arctic … all people who are under great stress.
Don’t panic, though, taking supplements won’t do any harm and if you really believe they can work then the old “mind over matter” principle will kick in and help you feel better.
A leading microbiologist Hugh Pennington wasn’t surprised by these results. “I am not surprised they found that vitamin C was no help,” he said, “I think that the public's faith in vitamins is slightly misplaced. If you want to take orange juice and it makes you feel good, so much the better. But it isn't going to make your cold go away any quicker.”
“I don't think there is any treatment out there that will do anything for a cold.”
“Colds are caused by many different viruses. By the time you have got a runny nose, fever or sore throat it is probably a bit on the late side, even if there was something that would work. You've really just got to stick it out.”
We heard it from our parents and pass it on to our own children that this water soluble vitamin has magical effects on the cold virus; reducing the severity and duration of the common cold and making us feel better at a time of … well … a time of not feeling too crash hot.
Scientists have recently decided that this is rubbish and boosting your body’s vitamin C intake will have no effect what-so-ever on colds or flu. Research involving over 11,000 subjects has concluded that taking vitamin C tablets regularly will not lessen the risk of catching a cold. This is also true for eating oranges or drinking orange juice.
'Don't listen to them ... I can help. I can ... honest!'
The results of the study, published in the respected medical journal Cochrane Library, found that people taking a dose of vitamin C equal to four times the amount found in the average shop bought supplement, were only around 2 per cent less likely to catch a cold.
The duration of the virus was also under scrutiny, with the vitamin C takers showing only a marginal improvement in the length of time the cold stuck around. The average person will generally suffer from common colds for around 12 days each year, taking copious amounts of vitamin C only reduced this by one day to 11.
A pretty negligible reduction.
Apparently, taking vitamin C supplements when symptoms first occur, with a view to aiding recovery was basically a waste of time and money. Alternatively, vitamin C was of more benefit to marathon runners, skiers and people in the Arctic … all people who are under great stress.
Don’t panic, though, taking supplements won’t do any harm and if you really believe they can work then the old “mind over matter” principle will kick in and help you feel better.
A leading microbiologist Hugh Pennington wasn’t surprised by these results. “I am not surprised they found that vitamin C was no help,” he said, “I think that the public's faith in vitamins is slightly misplaced. If you want to take orange juice and it makes you feel good, so much the better. But it isn't going to make your cold go away any quicker.”
“I don't think there is any treatment out there that will do anything for a cold.”
“Colds are caused by many different viruses. By the time you have got a runny nose, fever or sore throat it is probably a bit on the late side, even if there was something that would work. You've really just got to stick it out.”
| 64 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
I can vouch for this too. As I travel a lot I am prone to colds and flu from being cooped up in planes for long periods with people who all carry these germs. I have often tried taking Vitamin C for at least 2 months before I travel to try and boost my immune system and always found within a few days of arrival at my destination I had glands the size of golf balls and a nose running waterfalls.
The only thing that I have found to really work is keeping up the fluids and making sure I put fresh garlic and ginger in my food at least once a day. Now I get the sniffles (beinging Asthmatic I will never get away from this) but I haven`t had a cold or flu ~touches wood~ in ages.
Personally I just think that you have to make sure you keep your body healthy all the time, particularly your hands - they touch so much during the day... one little brush of your eyes or nose or mouth and you are spreading those germs good and proper.
And that is all from Dr Ash for today
Hope you are well. I noticed a puddle in front of the post box today.... the Snowman melted in the QLD "winter" but thanks for sending him. Enjoy!
ash
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Hands ... they can become filthy even without you realising it, can't they. It always makes me cringe if I see my children put fingers in their mouths at the supermarket. Yuk.
Sorry to hear Frosty melted before he could meet you. Oh well, maybe we'll have better luck next time!
Have a wonderful 'warm' weekend.
A. xx
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
Yeah...I've always thought that Vit C was a psychosomatic reaction...but I always overdose on chillies (apparently one of the highest sources of Vit C) if I ever get a cold/'flu...as the Doc says, whatever makes you feel better...I just think that the cold gets 'burned' away!
Not being sick makes everyone feel better I suppose...
I know that smoking robs the body of whatever it is that Vit C is supposed 'to give back' so smokers need to take it.
My mum was always big on the Vit B side of things... and ginger too. Ginger tea.
...I am sooo with you both, Cara and Ash, re hands... eek...
Big hugs hon...
Dusk
xx
ps. Ash...I'm happy to swap weather...
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Vit B ... great! There's a vit B for every ailment you know!
And why can't people learn to wash their hands with SOAP AND WATER! Honestly, my four year old has cleaner hands than most adults, and that's saying something considering he's a grotty boy!!!
(Love you Bug 2 xx)
xxxx
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
yes! I don`t get how running some water over your hands cleans them... why would you bother using soap when you shower if that were the case? eeewwww!
Good on Bug 2!!!
~waves at Dusk~ I spent two hours at the beach today waiting for the Kitty Hawk to come past in the blustery wind and rain... it was SUPERB! Send it anytime you like. (for the Navy they weren`t very punctual!)
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Might as well not bother.
Comment by MelissaA
Fun Facts
I think getting a good night's sleep when hubby isn't snoring like tonight helps too!
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
I reckon garlic is one of the best things to help a cold. I mix it with honey and find it really hits a cold on the head.
Why is it that men snore!!???!
A.
Comment by Candice
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Maybe you'll have to fill your cupboards with garlic instead!
A xx