E-mail Form
Email Results

 
 
Print-Friendly
Bookmarks
bookmarks-menu

Vitamin C and colds

Colds and vitamin C

Information

Popular belief is that vitamin C can cure the common cold. However, research about this claim is conflicting.

Although not fully proven, large doses of vitamin C may help reduce how long a cold lasts. They do not protect against getting a cold. Vitamin C may also be helpful for those exposed to brief periods of severe or extreme physical activity.

The likelihood of success may vary from person to person. Some people improve, while others do not. Taking 1000 to 2000 mg per day can be safely tried by most people. Taking too much can cause stomach upset.

People with kidney disease should NOT take vitamin C supplements.

Large doses of vitamin C supplementation are not recommended during pregnancy.

A balanced diet almost always provides the required vitamins and minerals for the day.

References

National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements website. Vitamin C: fact sheet for consumers. www.ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-Consumer/. Updated March 22, 2021. Accessed May 5, 2022.

Redel H, Polsky B. Nutrition, immunity, and infection. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 11.

Shah D, Sachdev HPS. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) deficiency and excess. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 63.

  • Vitamin C and colds

    Vitamin C and colds - illustration

    Vitamin C promotes healthy teeth and gums, helps in the absorption of iron, aids in the maintenance of normal connective tissue, and promotes wound healing. It also helps the body's immune system.

    Vitamin C and colds

    illustration

    • Vitamin C and colds

      Vitamin C and colds - illustration

      Vitamin C promotes healthy teeth and gums, helps in the absorption of iron, aids in the maintenance of normal connective tissue, and promotes wound healing. It also helps the body's immune system.

      Vitamin C and colds

      illustration


     

    Review Date: 1/29/2022

    Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

    The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
    © 1997- adam.comAll rights reserved.

     
     
     

     

     

    A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
    Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.

    Connect With Us

    Newman Regional Health For Your Whole Life
    1201 W 12th Avenue
    Emporia, KS 66801
    620-343-6800
    Newman Medical Plaza
    1301 W 12th Avenue
    Emporia, KS 66801