Vitamin C use Prevents Common Cold

Clinical Study Title:
Preventing the common cold with a vitamin C supplement: a double-blind, placebo-controlled survey.

Plain English Summary:

This study looked at the use of vitamin C to help prevent the common cold. A total of 168 participants were given either a vitamin C supplement or a placebo over the course of 2 months. They were instructed to record any symptoms of a cold into a daily journal. At the conclusion of the study, those participants who had taken a daily vitamin C supplement had fewer colds, and when they had colds, they were less severe, and they recovered quicker. This suggests that the use of a daily supplement containing vitamin C could provide some protection against getting a cold, and helps to reduce healing time.

Authors:
Van Straten M. Josling P.

Institution:
Herbal Health Centre, Battle, East Sussex, United Kingdom.

Country of Publication:
United States

Source:
Advances in Therapy. 19(3):151-9, 2002 May-Jun.