Relationship: Colds (general) and vitamin C

Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin C
For the health condition: Colds (general)

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Synopsis
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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has a long history of use for preventing and treating the common cold. Its popularization for this purpose is often credited to Linus Pauling, who in the 1970s advocated for high-dose vitamin C as a remedy for colds. Since then, numerous scientific studies have examined the efficacy of vitamin C in both the prevention and treatment of the common cold.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses, including a major Cochrane review, indicate that regular vitamin C supplementation (typically 200 mg or more daily) does not substantially reduce the incidence of colds in the general population. However, it may modestly reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms. In specific subgroups, such as people under extreme physical stress (athletes, soldiers in subarctic conditions), vitamin C supplementation appears to reduce the risk of developing a cold.

When vitamin C is taken after the onset of cold symptoms, evidence suggests it does not significantly alter the course of the illness. The effect size for regular supplementation in reducing cold duration is generally small (about 8% in adults and 14% in children). Overall, while there is some scientific validation for vitamin C's role in reducing cold duration and severity, the evidence is not strong, and vitamin C is not considered a cure or robust preventative for the common cold.

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3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
Abies spectabilis
Abrus
Acacia
Aconite
Aerva lanata
Agastache
Ajuga
Alcohol
Algae
Allicin
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Allspice
Allyl isothiocyanate
Allyl sulfide
Aloe vera
alpha-terpineol
alpinia galangal
American Liverleaf
Amomum
Amor seco
anamu
Andrographis
andrographolide
Angelica
anthocyanins
apple
apple cider vinegar
arabinogalactan
Aralia
Arani
Ardisia
Asam gelugor
Asarum heterotropoides
ash
aster root
Asteraceae
astragalus
atractylodes
atractylone
avens
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
Baikal Skullcap
balsam
bamboo
banyan
Baphicacanthus cusia
barberry
Barleria
basil
Bassia scoparia
bayleaf
bee hive
bee pollen
bee products
bee propolis
Belamcanda
benegut perilla (proprietary)
bermuda grass
berry
beta-pinene
Bidens pilosa
bioflavonoids
birch
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
bitter principals
black cumin
black currant
black galingale
black garlic
black nightshade
black pepper
black salt
black seed
black tea
blackberry
blackboard tree
blackthorn
Blepharis
blueberry
Boerhavia diffusa
Bombax
boneset
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
borneol
Bougainvillea
boxthorne
Broussonetia
buckthorn
Buddha\'s hand
Bupleurum
bupleurum falcatum
bur-reed
burdock
Butea monosperma
bасора
cajuput
calamus
Camellia sinensis
capillary artemisia
capsaicin
capsaicinoids
capsicum
cardamom
carrot
Carthamus
carvacrol
cassia bark
caterpillar mushroom
cayenne pepper
Celosia
chamomile
Chinese mountain ant
Chinese raisintree
Chinese silkvine
chive
Chlorophytum
Chondrus
chrysanthemum
chrysophanics
cineole
cinnamaldehyde
Cinnamomum
cinnamon
Cistus
citron
Citrus
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
Clerodendrum trichotomum
cloudberry
clove
coconut
coconut milk
coconut oil
Coin-leaf desmodium
cola nut
colostrum
commiphora
common madia
coriander
costus
cowherb
cowslip
culvers Root
cumin
Curcuma
curcumen
Curcuminoid
currant
curry leaf
David\'s milkberry
deoxyandrographolides
Desmodium
Dianthus
dodder
dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/tetraenoic acid isobutylamide
dodeca-2E, 4E-dienoic acid isobutylamide
dog rose
dragonhead
dulse leaf
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Eclipta
Elder
elderberry
Embelia
English horsemint
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essential oil blend
eucalyptus
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European five-finger grass
Evodia
fang-feng
fat liver oil
ferula assafoetida
Ficus simplicissima
flat-stem milk-vetch
flavonones
flowering quince
forsythia
frankincense
fruit
fulvic acid
Gallesia
gamma-terpinene
Gardenia jasminoides
garlic
garlic bulb
giant blazingstar
Gigartina
ginger
ginseng
Glechoma hederacea
Glycyrrhizin
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goldthread
gooseberry
grape
Greek mountain tea
green chiretta
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
heal-all
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hemp
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honey loquat syrup
honeysuckle
horehound
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horseradish
hyacinth bean
Hygrophila
hyssop
Ilex
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indigo leaves
iridoid glycosides
iridoids
Isatis
joe-pye
jujube
jungli-bean
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kuding tea
Kukicha
L-cysteine
labrador tea
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Laggera pterodonta
Lebbek
Ledebouriella
lemon
lemongrass
lichen
licorice root
Ligusticum
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lime
limonene
linalool
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little ironweed
liverwort
lodhtree
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long pepper
loquat
lotus
lovage
luffa
lychee
lysozyme
mace
mallow
mandarin
manzanita
maple
marigold
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mustard seed
Myrcene
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Nymphaea nouchali
onion
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orange
oregano
oregon grape
Oroxylum indicum
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pagoda tree
papaya
Paris polyphylla
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paw paw
peach
pear
Pelargonium
peony
Pepper
perilla
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phellodendron amurense
phenolic compounds
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Phyllanthus
Physalis angulata
pineapple
Piper chaba
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pistacia integerrima gall
plantain
Pluchea
plum fruit
Polygonatum
Polygonum
pomegranate
Portulaca
Propolis
Prunus
pumpkin
purslane
Pyrrosia
quail egg
quercetin
Quillaja
radish
raspberry
ravinsara
reishi mushroom
rhizome
Rooibos
rose
rose hips
rosemary
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sage
Sagebrush
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Sandalwood
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sarsaparilla
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Schisandrins
schizonepeta
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scrophularia root
Sesbania
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Sete sangrias
Shark Liver Oil
Shogaol
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Sichuan pepper
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Sicklepod
siler root
Sinigrin
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Solanum indicum
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spearmint leaf
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Spikenard
spirulina
spruce
squawvine
Sumac
Sweet Annie
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sweet flag
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Terminalia
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Thaumatococcus daniellii
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thyme
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turmeric
typhonium
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vegetable blend (proprietary)
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Visnea Mocanera
vitamin B
vitamin C
vitamin D
Wasabi
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Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Wulinshen
xanthium (cockleburs)
Yeast
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Yerba buena
Yerba santa
Yuzu
zanthoxylum
Zinc
Zingerone
Zingiberene
Zucchini

Other health conditions supported by vitamin C

Abrasions
Abscesses
Acne
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Addictions (general remedies for)
Addison's Disease
Adrenal Fatigue
Age Spots
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Anemia
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Antibiotics (side effects of)
Anxiety
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Bell's Palsy
Bites and Stings
Bladder Infection
Bleeding (external)
Bleeding (internal)
Blood Poisoning
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Bruises (prevention)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Capillary Weakness
Carbuncles
Cardiovascular Disease
Cartilage Damage
Cataracts
Cervical Dysplasia
Chemical Poisoning
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chicken Pox
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colon (atonic)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Copper Toxicity
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cuts
Cystic Breast Disease
Cystic Fibrosis
Debility
Dementia
Denture Sores
Depression
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Environmental Pollution
Epstein Barr Virus
Eye Problems
Eyesight (poor)
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Free Radical Damage
Gall Stones
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Glaucoma
Gonorrhea
Gout
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Heart (weakness)
Heavy Metal Poisoning
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Herpes
Hot Flashes
Hypertension
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Knees (weak)
Laryngitis
Lead Poisoning
Lesions
Leucorrhea
Leukemia
Ligaments (torn or injured)
Liver Detoxification
Lyme Disease
Macular Degeneration
Mastitis
Measles
Memory and Brain Function
Menorrhagia
Menstrual Irregularity
Menstruation (scant)
Metabolic Syndrome
Mononucleosis
Mumps
Nose Bleeds
Oral Surgery
Osteoporosis
Pancreatitis
PMS (general)
PMS Type C
PMS Type H
Pneumonia
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Prolapsed Uterus
Prostatitis
Radiation Sickness
Rashes and Hives
Restless Leg Syndrome
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic
Rosacea
Scars / Scar Tissue
Schizophrenia
Scratches and Abrasions
Scurvy
Shingles
Shock
Sinus Infection
Skin (infections)
Skin Care (general)
Sore Throat
Spider Veins
Spinal Disks
Sprains
Strep Throat
Stretch Marks
Sunburn
Surgery (healing from)
Surgery (preparation for)
Teeth (loose)
Tendonitis
Thrush
Tickle in Throat
Tonsillitis
Tooth Extraction
Toxemia
Triglycerides (high)
Tuberculosis
Ulcerations (external)
Ulcers
Uric Acid Retention
Urinary Tract Infections
Vaginitis
Varicose Veins
Warts
Wounds and Sores
Wrinkles

Products containing vitamin C

Health Concerns

Brands

Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin C
For the health condition: Colds (general)

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Colds (general)

Other health conditions supported by vitamin C

Products containing vitamin C

Health Concerns

Brands

Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin CFor the health condition: Colds (general)

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Colds (general)

Other health conditions supported by vitamin C

Products containing vitamin C

Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin C
For the health condition: Colds (general)