Does Vitamin C Prevent Colds

What do you think? Does your vitamin C prevent your colds? I do not think it really does and will provide my opinion in this article.

It appears to me that your vitamin C does little to prevent your colds although there are people that would debate that statement longer than the debate “should baseball go to instant replay” has been going on.

But there really is much evidence to suggest that by you taking high doses of your vitamin C it may help shorten the time that you are sick by a day or so. Prevent a cold I do not think so, but help you dry up a runny nose, I believe it does. It acts as an antihistamine and is anti inflammatory.

Now I am however an advocate for it as it works in your immune system as a high octane fuel works in a high performance car. It makes your immune cells, such as neutrophils and macrophages, better able to find and destroy your viruses. By the way, you being sick or under intense physical stress increases your bodys need for vitamin C. I do recommend it but do not think you can expect it to prevent colds.

Now for an added effect you should seek out C supplements that contain bioflavonoids, the antioxidants that are found in your fruits, your tea and some other foods. I have found no consensus as to how much, if any, vitamin C you should take to prevent colds or flu. However I do not think you are not wasting you time when you take several grams a day in divided doses at the first sign of your scratchy throat or stuffy nose. For aggressive treatment, start with 1000 to 2000 milligrams every two hours for 8 hours then scale it back to three times a day and once you feel better, taper off, do not stop abruptly. My warning to you is that high doses of C can cause you gas or diarrhea, if this happens reduce your dose. But do not expect it to stop your colds. Always check with your doctor before trying anything that is new to you. And as always you must live well to be well.