Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin C (not specified)
For the health condition: Influenza

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Synopsis

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

Vitamin C has been used traditionally to support the immune system and is commonly believed to help prevent or treat influenza (the flu). The popularity of vitamin C for colds and flu dates back to the 1970s, largely due to the work of Linus Pauling, who advocated high-dose vitamin C for respiratory illnesses. The theoretical basis is that vitamin C may enhance immune function, reduce inflammation, and act as an antioxidant, thereby helping the body fight infections such as influenza.

However, scientific evidence specifically supporting vitamin C as a treatment or preventive measure for influenza is limited. While some studies suggest that regular vitamin C supplementation may slightly reduce the duration and severity of common cold symptoms in certain populations, evidence for its effectiveness against influenza is lacking. Most clinical trials focus on the common cold, not influenza, and the results are mixed or show only minor benefits.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses, including those conducted by the Cochrane Collaboration, generally conclude that vitamin C does not prevent the onset of influenza in the general population and offers, at best, modest reductions in symptom duration. There is no high-quality evidence to support vitamin C as a treatment for influenza. Its ongoing use for flu is therefore based more on traditional beliefs and anecdotal reports rather than robust scientific validation.

More about Vitamin C (not specified)
More about Influenza

Other ingredients used for Influenza

green chiretta
astragalus
myrobalan
benegut perilla (proprietary)
black garlic
black pepper
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
camu camu
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
chaga mushroom
Coptis chinensis
cordyceps
turmeric
dog rose
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
ginger
glehnia root
goldenseal
gooseberry
greek mountain tea
green tea
honeysuckle
L-cysteine
lactobacillus casei
lactoferrin
lactoperoxidase
lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
monolaurin
nettle
quercetin
reishi mushroom
selenium
spirulina
sweet wormwood
vitamin C
vitamin D
zhejiang fritillary
zinc
boneset
tangerine
alpinia galangal
myrrh
yerba santa
chrysanthemum
flowering quince
ganoderma
anemarrhena asphodeloides
eucalyptus
Abies spectabilis
Algae
Avens
Agarikon Mushroom
Apple Cider Vinegar
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Acacia
Agrimony
Allicin
Anamu
AHCC
Andrographolide
American Liverleaf
Astragaloside
Andrographis
Alsonia scholaris
Adenophora
Alliin
Asarum sieboldii
Bee Propolis
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Bryonia
Balsam
Basidiomycota
Borage
Bupleurum
Baicalin
Black Hellebore
Balloon Flower
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coconut oil
Coriolus mushroom
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Carvacrol
Cineole
Centipeda
Cistus
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Currant
Chondrus
Ephedra
European Elder
Elk antler
Echinacea
Elder
Euphorbia
Embelia
Fat liver oil
Flavanones
Frankincense
Flavones
Glehnia littoralis
Guaco
Gallesia
Glycyrrhizin
Hyperoside
Houttuynia
Honey loquat syrup
Immunoglobulin G
iridoids
Lycium
Ledebouriella
Lomatium
Lichen
Lycopodium
Labrador Tea
Little ironweed
Liverwort
Meadow sage
Microtea debilis
Neoandrographolides
Onosma bracteatum
Osthole
Premna
Platycodon
Pelargonium
Pentatropis capensis
Polygonatum
Polygonum
Ravinsara
Sweet Annie
Salvia
Sambucus nigra
Sulfated polysaccharide
Shikimic Acid
Sweet Bay
Sundew
Tremella
Umckaloabo
Visnea Mocanera
Vasicine
Xanthophyll
Zingerone

Products containing Vitamin C (not specified)

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.