Vitamin C And Zinc For Colds

High Doses Of Zinc Shorten Colds And Make Them Less Intense

Several studies have shown that zinc can be successfully used to prevent and treat colds. The number of colds that actually broke out decreased significantly among the subjects. Even the probability that an existing cold would last seven days becomes very low. In addition, the cold symptoms among the subjects were a lot milder. However, to benefit, high zinc doses must be taken immediately after the first cold symptoms appear, and no later than 24 hours after the cold has started.

The correct zinc compound is also important, as this effect could be seen only when high doses of organic zinc compounds, that exceeded 75 mg, were taken. Organic zinc compounds are readily biologically available and can be specifically taken in consultation with your physician when zinc deficiency is detected.

Is It Ok To Take Zinc Everyday

Taking high amounts of zinc is LIKELY UNSAFE. High doses above the recommended amounts might cause fever, coughing, stomach pain, fatigue, and many other problems. Taking more than 100 mg of supplemental zinc daily or taking supplemental zinc for 10 or more years doubles the risk of developing prostate cancer.

Vitamin C Helps To Lower The Chances Of Catching A Cold

A balanced vitamin C level contributes to the healthy function of the immune system. Once the cold viruses have reached our mucous membranes, vitamin C becomes active in various places. It induces the formation of white blood cells, adheres to free radicals, neutralizing them and regenerating more of the body’s own antioxidants. In this way, it keeps our immune system going and reduces oxidative stress. When a cold starts, the vitamin C level occasionally falls drastically owing to the increased expenditure. If this happens, it is advisable to take high doses of vitamin C quickly to support our bodys defense system that it is not brought down to its knees.

As little as two glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice a day help us to have a healthy immune system. This was shown by some studies, in which a balanced vitamin C level could shorten the duration of a cold somewhat and alleviated symptoms. If you notice the first signs of a cold, it is therefore a good idea to fill up the vitamin C reservoir immediately and not to give up until you have hopefully recovered quickly from the cold.

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Can Vitamin C Prevent Or Treat Cold Symptoms

Vitamin C has been studied for many years as a possible treatment for colds, or as a way to help prevent colds. But findings have been inconsistent. Overall, experts have found little to no benefit from vitamin C for preventing or treating the common cold.

In a July 2007 study, researchers wanted to discover whether taking 200 milligrams or more of vitamin C daily could reduce the frequency, duration, or severity of a cold. After reviewing 60 years of clinical research, they found that when taken after a cold starts, vitamin C supplements do not make a cold shorter or less severe. When taken daily, vitamin C very slightly shortened cold duration — by 8% in adults and by 14% in children.

In 2010, researchers looked at all studies and found that taking vitamin C every day did not prevent the number of colds that a person got. In some cases, it made symptoms improve.

The results were different for people who were in very good physical condition, such as marathon runners. People like that who took vitamin C every day cut their risk of catching a cold in half.

So what does all this mean?

According to this research, the average adult who suffers with a cold for 12 days a year would still suffer for about 11 days a year if that person took a high dose of vitamin C every day during that year.

For the average child who suffers about 28 days of cold illness a year, taking daily high-dose vitamin C would still likely mean about 24 days of cold illness.

What About Zinc And The Common Cold

Another 2013 Cochrane database review analyzed 16 therapeutic studies that included 1,387 people, plus two prevention trials. The research found that zinc taken within 24 hours of the appearance of cold symptoms significantly reduced the duration of a cold.

There was a 55 percent reduction in the number of people symptomatic of a cold after seven days compared to those not taking zinc. And the incidence of colds among those taking zinc regularly was 36 percent less than those who were not.

The researchers also noted that significant cold duration occurred when doses were 75 milligrams per day or greater.

At least two of the zinc studies included in the Cochrane review are worth mention, because they utilized a form of zinc zinc acetate which produced significant results compared to the overall review that averaged treatment results from different forms of zinc.

The latest of the two, from 2008, comes from Wayne State University Medical School. The study tested 50 volunteers who had symptoms of a cold within the past 24 hours. They were separated into two groups and one group was given a 13.3 milligram lozenge of zinc acetate every two to three hours, while the other group was given a placebo.

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Myths Surrounding Vitamin C And Zinc

When you feel a cold coming on, its all about managing your symptoms. Thats because the common cold is actually a type of virus, and theres no great way to combat a virus with medicines and supplements. You cant kill the common cold with antibiotics.

Instead, we often turn to products that limit mucus, clear our sinuses, and soothe our throats. The other tactic often heard about is boosting your immune system, and thats where vitamin C and zinc come into play.

Both vitamin C and zinc are effective at boosting the immune system. The problem is, you cant boost your immune system enough with these two nutrients while battling a cold. Instead, you need to be using these supplements year-round to avoid the common cold in the first place.

A study on zinc in the Journal of Family Practice showed that using the supplement when you already had symptoms a cold was not a promising treatment method, but that using it to prevent a cold could lessen the duration once patients showed symptoms.

Another study mentioned that scientists have debated the efficacy of vitamin C in treating the common cold for decades. The study failed to show that vitamin C prevented the common cold and it only seemed to reduce the duration of the cold in about 8 percent of adults and 14 percent of children.

Will Vitamin C And Zinc Help Your Covid Symptoms

Dr. Milind Desai describes the results of a study performed during this COVID pandemic, looking at patients with symptoms of COVID who were not sick enough to be in the hospital. The question he answered was: Does vitamin C and/or zinc reduce the duration or severity of symptoms in patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 ?

Read about this study at

Will Vitamin C and Zinc help your COVID symptoms?

The evidence regarding the benefits of , , and is often mixed, but it suggests a positive effect.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is marketed as the go-to supplement for preventing and treating colds.

Mechanistically, it makes sense: vitamin C helps immune cells form and function, and it supports the physical barriers that protect you from pathogens. Moreover, at least 148 animal studies have found that vitamin C administration helps prevent infections caused by microorganisms.

Those animal studies, however, dont answer the question that most matters to us: can vitamin C supplementation help humans ward off colds? A 2013 Cochrane meta-analysis of human studies tried to answer this question, and here are the takeaways:

A 2018 meta-analysis also supports the idea that vitamin C can shorten colds and lessen symptoms. It included only 9 trials, however, all of which were among the 29 trials included in the 2013 Cochrane meta-analysis.

Vitamin D

• By Patrick J. Skerrett, Former Executive Editor, Harvard Health

Not exactly a ringing endorsement.

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Is Vitamin C Safe To Take

In general, vitamin C won’t harm you if you get it by eating food like fruits and veggies. For most people, it’s also OK if you take supplements in the recommended amount.

The RDA, or recommended daily allowance, is 90 milligrams for men and 75 milligrams for women. High doses of vitamin C may cause kidney stones, nausea, and diarrhea.

If you’re unsure about taking vitamin C for colds, talk to your health care provider.

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Vitamin C Does Not Prevent Colds

“Nobel prize winner Dr. Linus Pauling famously claimed in the 1970s that high doses of vitamin C prevented the common cold,” says Mike Sevilla, a family physician in Salem, Ohio.

But Pauling had little evidence to back his claim. The foundations of his argument came from a single study of a sample of children in the Swiss Alps, which he then generalized to the overall population.

Turns out he overgeneralized, and numerous studies have since disproved Pauling’s claim.

“Unfortunately, follow-up research has shown that vitamin C does not prevent the common cold,” Sevilla says. Yet this misconception continues to live on.

“In my family practice office, I see patients from a variety of cultures and backgrounds and the use of vitamin C for the common cold is well known across all of them,” Sevilla says.

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How Zinc Helps Shorten The Duration Of A Cold

Zinc has been shown to shorten the duration of a cold when taken within 24 hours of onset of symptoms. Zinc is an antioxidant, and it helps regulate cytokine activity and leukocyte chemotaxis, both of which play important roles in the immune response.

Even though zinc is found in many foods, such as meat, poultry, and seafood, most people dont get enough from their diets. Thats why supplements can be helpful. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, and it helps the body to absorb zinc. Thats why taking a zinc and Vitamin C supplement can be so beneficial when youre fighting a cold.

This Is How Zinc Can Help You During A Cold

Zinc is effective in fighting colds because it prevents the adherence of cold viruses to the host’s cells in the nasal mucosa it simply drives them out due to the fact that it occupies their docking location. Additionally, it inhibits the growth and stops the reproduction of these germs. Finally, zinc helps to alleviate the possible inflammation reactions caused by a cold because it prevents the release of histamine and stops the prostaglandin metabolism. Thus, the nasal mucosa does not swell as much, allowing the person to breathe easier. Owing to these findings, zinc should be taken in the form of a lozenge or gurgled as solution from an effervescent tablet before being swallowed. Although many complain of the taste, this is the only way that zinc can have a direct effect on the mucous membranes, fighting the viruses where they are instead of having to take the detour through the digestive tract.

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Common Cold Prevented And Treated By Vitamin D Vitamin C Zinc And Echinacea Review April 2018

Self-Care for Common Colds: The Pivotal Role of Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Zinc, and Echinacea in Three Main Immune Interactive Clusters Involved during an Episode of Common ColdsPractical Advice on Dosages and on the Time to Take These Nutrients/Botanicals in order to Prevent or Treat Common Colds

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Volume 2018, Article ID 5813095, 36 pages Mariangela Rondanelli ,1 Alessandra Miccono,1 Silvia Lamburghini,1 Ilaria Avanzato,1 Antonella Riva ]»),2 Pietro Allegrini,2 Milena Anna Faliva,1 Gabriella Peroni,1 Mara Nichetti,1 and Simone Perna 1) Department of Applied Health Sciences, Azienda di Servizi alla Persona di Pavia, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy2) Research and Development Unit, Indena, Milan, Italy

Maintaining a normal healthy immune defense system lowers the incidence and/or the severity of symptoms and/or the duration of common cold . Physical barriers and innate and adaptive immunity have been involved during a CC episode. Vitamins C and D, zinc, and Echinacea have evidence-based efficacy on these immune system barriers.

This review includes 82 eligible studies to consider the preventive role of these nutrients in immune clusters and in CC to provide advice on dosage and assumption of these nutrients. Regarding vitamin C, regular supplementation has shown that vitamin C reduces the duration and the severity of CC.

Vitamin D text from the PDF

See also VitaminDWiki

Nutrients Are Especially Important When You Are Sick

When youre feeling under the weather, its important to give your body the nutrients it needs to fight off the infection. Zinc and Vitamin C are effective in treating colds. By taking a zinc and Vitamin C supplement , you can help to speed up your recovery time and feel better faster.

If you are experiencing cold symptoms you might take at least 10 mg of zinc and at least 200mg of Vitamin C daily. The best time of day to take them is morning or lunch, but either is fine. Other ways to treat a cold include proper hygiene, getting more sleep and fluids, and resting as much as possible. Some lifestyle changes that could help you recover include not working or going to school if at all possible until you feel better, staying away from people who are sick, and washing your hands regularly.

While it is important to get enough zinc and vitamin C, especially when you are sick, as well as a preventative, there are many other nutrients that we need, such as calcium. Because Calcium begins with the letter C, people sometimes confuse it with Vitamin C. To learn more about Vitamin C and Calcium, go here

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Does Zinc Help Fight Colds

Zinc can be used to discourage the rhinovirus from multiplying. It may also prevent the virus from settling in the mucous membranes of the throat and nose. Zinc, especially in lozenge form, has side effects, including nausea or a bad taste in the mouth. Many people who used zinc nasal sprays suffered a permanent loss of smell, but Mayo Clinic doctors warn against using such spray sprayers.

Researchers: None of the studies examined had sufficient participants to pass the rigorous tests of zincs effectiveness. For this request, there is a problem.

How Could Zinc Make Colds Go Away Faster

Dr Brent Bauer, an expert in Alternative Medicine at Mayo Clinic in the USA says Most colds are caused by a type of virus called rhinovirus, which thrives and multiplies in the nasal passages and throat . Zinc may work by preventing the rhinovirus from multiplying. It may also stop the rhinovirus from lodging in the mucous membranes of the throat and nose.

Not only is zinc important for the proper functioning of the immune system but also may have direct effects against pathogens . Dr Divya Ramnath, an expert in Infectious Diseases from University of Queensland in Australia explains Many metal ions, including Zinc, are toxic to pathogens. This is particularly well-established in the case of diarrhoea, where zinc supplements help manage it.

Dr Bauer adds Zinc may be more effective when taken in lozenge or syrup form, which allows the substance to stay in the throat and come in contact with the rhinovirus.

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Are Bananas Good For Your Immune System

Bananas are not only a prebiotic food supporting gut health they are high in vitamin B6. This vitamin is needed to keep the immune system functioning properly. Bananas are an excellent base for your next smoothie! Other foods high in vitamin B6 include cold-water fish, lean chicken breast, chickpeas and potatoes.

Preventing The Common Cold

The average American gets the common cold two to three times a year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are tons of cold virus strains, which means youre at risk of catching a new one all the time.

The general advice for avoiding the common cold is plenty of hand-washing, and the best methods involve soaping your hands for at least 20 seconds. In addition, its wise to avoid touching your face throughout the day so you dont introduce the virus to your eyes, nose, and mouth.

You also can use alcohol-based sanitizers and focus on disinfecting surfaces such as desks and doorknobs in shared home and work spaces. Of course, its always wise to avoid someone who has symptoms of the common cold, including sneezing, running nose, coughing, body aches, and/or headache. If you have these symptoms, do your part to stay home to get well and to avoid spreading the cold to others.

Here, too, studies run the gamut in determining efficacy of prevention methods. One comprehensive study showed no benefit to vitamin C, gargling, ginseng, garlic, or exercise. The same study showed zinc was likely beneficial.

At the top of the list were physical interventions, such as hand-washing and wearing gloves and masks, which proved beneficial.

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Tips: Natural Products For The Flu And Colds: What Does The Science Say

Itâs that time of year againâcold and flu season. Each year, approximately 5 to 20 percent of Americans come down with the flu. Although most recover without incident, flu-related complications typically lead to at least 200,000 hospitalizations and between 12,000 and 60,000 deaths each year. Colds generally do not cause serious complications, but they are among the leading reasons for visiting a doctor and for missing school or work.

Some people try natural products such as herbs or vitamins and minerals to prevent or treat these illnesses. But do they really work? What does the science say?