Can Vitamin C reduce susceptibility to colds?
By thetis74
@thetis74 (1525)
August 15, 2011 6:40pm CST
The idea that vitamin C can ward of colds and reduce their severity has been popular since the early 1970's The theory advocate, Dr. Linus Pauling, a Nobel Chemist, claims that if you take 1,000 to 2,000 milligrams of vitamin C daily-and additional doses of 4,000 to 10,000 milligrams when a cold strikes--you will have fewer, milder, and shorter colds. His evidence includes the results of some experimental testing.
However, many specialists in upper respiratory infections have not found any definite indication that Vitamin C substantially reduces the frequency or the severity of colds. Also taking large doses of Vitamin C may have undesirable effects.
4 people like this
15 responses
@miadsoriano (884)
• Philippines
16 Aug 11
I think you are referring to how Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) affects the body's resistance to viruses right? Well, growing up, I have always been told that the more Vitamin C-based nutrients you take, the more resistant you are to viral infections and common sickness like the common cold. Recently, however, I read that food and vegetables rich in Vitamin C, and even supplements, though they can help make people healthy, it cannot block viruses and help the body's resistance levels entirely. What is actually important and needed by the body are the right levels of zinc. Vitamin C combined with Zinc is actually the best cold-fighting supplement out there.
2 people like this
@miadsoriano (884)
• Philippines
19 Aug 11
Have you noticed how both adult and kid multivitamins are now marketed as having the right amount of "zinc" minerals in them? Cool huh?
@francesca5 (1344)
•
16 Aug 11
i have read this recently too, that vitamin C with zinc is best. thats because our body chemistry is complicated and the vitamin C works with something else. but obviously too much of either, as a supplement, is not a good idea.
1 person likes this
@kikishine (21)
• China
22 Aug 11
i think so,vc can improve our body's immunity against all kinds of diseases...when i see ur topic,,i consider to take some vc from the fruits,,,,for my skin and for my body...thank u for reminding me to do this...
1 person likes this
@voracious (624)
• Philippines
23 Aug 11
Fruits are alkaline based so it doesn't have much bad impact to our body.
@KrauseHome (36447)
• United States
17 Aug 11
Personally I think many times that they never stop to consider other effects that taking Vitamin C in larger quantities might do to someone. It can mess many times with other organs in their body, etc. And depending on what is causing the Cold and the persons health really determines what is best for sure. I know that taking Vitamin C everyday can help with a lot of things, but for Colds best thing might either be Echinachea, seeing your Doctor or just waiting it out.
1 person likes this
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
25 Aug 11
I am not sure if it reduces the susceptibility, but many tablets, mixtures sold in market as 'anti cold' preparations claim this..
Thanks for sharing
Best of luck.
Professor
Professor
1 person likes this
@voracious (624)
• Philippines
19 Aug 11
Vitamin C not only gives us resistance to colds. It has many uses like boosting our immune system, neutralizing basic substance in our stomach. Cold is not a disease, it's a defense mechanism of respiratory system. If you will notice if you inhaled some dust or dirty particles we sneeze, and if the foreign objects are in our trachea it produces mucus like substance AKA cold in which they purge out the bacteria out of our system. The frequent we suffer cold it means that we have a lot of bacteria in our respiratory system. Intake too much of vitamin C will cause ulcer of the stomach and hyperacidity in our system.
1 person likes this
@voracious (624)
• Philippines
19 Aug 11
Yes it's a salt form of vitamin C besides another benefit we can get from Vitamin C is strengthening our gums to prevent scurvy.
@flowerfest08 (1677)
•
16 Aug 11
hi:)
Yes it must be true, because taking vitamin c will make our immune system stronger, so with strong immune system we have more immunity to diseases especially on colds, and for sure they research about that for long time before they published their conclusion, so it must be at least 90% true.
1 person likes this
@buenavida (9984)
• Sweden
16 Aug 11
I am no expert but I read and try to learn a lot. 
As far as I understand, we need vitamin C, but in its natural environment, in fruits and vegetables. If we eat enough of this kind of food, we also get other nutrition that should be taken together with vitamin C. Flavonoids are good companions with vit.C
Lately I have read about the importance of vit. D for our physcal and mental wellbeing. I guess we need a well balanced food and lots of fresh air and exercise to keep all kinds of health problems away..
As far as I understand, we need vitamin C, but in its natural environment, in fruits and vegetables. If we eat enough of this kind of food, we also get other nutrition that should be taken together with vitamin C. Flavonoids are good companions with vit.C
Lately I have read about the importance of vit. D for our physcal and mental wellbeing. I guess we need a well balanced food and lots of fresh air and exercise to keep all kinds of health problems away..1 person likes this
@greenline (14838)
• Canada
16 Aug 11
How are you ? Yes, I do believe that Vitamin C reduces susceptibility to colds. I notice that when I keep sneezing. Taking a Vitamin C tablet stops or atleast slows down the sneezing. I drink orange juice every morning as a source of Vitamin C too. That helps as well.
@thetis74 (1525)
•
16 Aug 11
I'm just fine greenlline thank you. Just having some premature contractions. In fact I'm going out today to get some medicine for this because I will be due this September. Vitamin does do a good job. I am taking it now too. Especially if we take this non-acidic form , the Sodium Ascorbate form. There are two forms of Vitamin C actually. The other one is the ascorbic acid. I have learned sodium ascorbate is stomach friendly and absorbs well than ascorbic acid. Orange every morning is lovely. Take care.
@lampar (7584)
• United States
2 Sep 11
Taking large amount of Vit. C is not a guarantee of fending off against cold. Each individual has different daily body requirement of Vit. C to supplement for their body immune system against cold and sickness. One person may need large doses of vit. C while another may not need that. Also it depend on the level of asborption on vit. C one body tissue can achieve, each person has his/her own unique biological and genetic properties, one dosage doesn't fit them all. But the assertion that vit.C can assist our body to fend off cold is true according to medical research result.
1 person likes this
@sanapal_bhar (213)
• India
16 Aug 11
yes , many experinced doctors prefer to give vitamin c tablets becoz vitamin c boosts our body immunity, thus it helps in many small illness like cold and fever etc..
@Robswife2006 (1208)
• United States
16 Aug 11
I take vitamin C every day all year round & I have to admit that I really don't get a lot of colds. That's not to say I don't get any, but since I started taking vitamin C every day I really don't get as many colds as I used to. So although I believe taking vitamin C every day does help prevent you from getting the occasional cold, it like anything else does not stop you from getting them altogether.
1 person likes this
@thetis74 (1525)
•
16 Aug 11
That is good. Vit C is even good with arthritis cases. The best form for me is the sodium ascorbate. Unlike the ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate is friendly to our stomach so we don't have to worry taking it even before meal times. It is alkaline, as I have learned, so it is good for hyper-acidity too. It also has better absorption than ascorbic acid.
@alquizar (480)
• Philippines
24 Aug 11
Taking Vitamin C really help us a lot in increasing our resistance in cough and colds.On my college days I used to take vitamin C especially in my duty because I am taking good care of sick people and sleep also helps us in increasing our immune system.
@dallas2011 (149)
• United States
17 Aug 11
Yeah,you are right.Vitamin C can reduce susceptibility to colds.It has also many more good effects on our body.It is also good for our skin and our hair.
@hanjianbo615 (149)
• China
16 Aug 11
there is an old saying called more haste less speed. a pinion i want to express is vitamin C is good for health but you shouldn't have it every day and the more miligrams you have doesn't mean the more health you are. right life style and taking excercse can also incease our immunity which can defence the cold i think.
from the post i knew you are gone be have a baby i congrat you will be a mom soon and wish you have a health baby. have a nice day.
@touchtype30s (70)
•
16 Aug 11
When I reduce my vitamin C intake because I'm having too much of a junk diet I am more likely to get colds especially combined with cold and wet winter weather.
