Vitamin C for Immunity

Contrary to popular belief taking a vitamin C supplement will NOT ward off the common cold or SARS-Cov2.

The most recent research and a Cochrane review does not support for the general population that taking high doses of vitamin C reduces the common cold. It is possible it may reduce the duration by about a day but does not reduce incidence. ⁠

Some studies show that for athletes and soldiers under intense physiological stress, taking vitamin C reduced the incidence of catching a cold by 50%. However, we should exercise caution in some of these older studies with high doses and it may not show as much benefit in a longer-term study. Interestingly research has started at Wuhan university with 140 patients to test if very high doses of IV vitamin C could improve outcomes or symptoms; this will not be completed until September 2020 (Peng, 2020), and there is no evidence currently that that vitamin C will prevent or indeed treat SARS covid 2.⁠

Vitamin C is important and does have a role in immune function; acting as an antioxidant neutralising free radicals; activating enzymes to dampen the response of the cardiovascular system to infections. It also supports the body to build collagen as well as vitamin C being involved with the signalling of neutrophils to sites of infection. So it very much is important and even more important is that we simply make sure that our diets are rich in fruits and vegetables to get all the vitamin C that we need. I am thinking about kale, peppers, oranges, kiwis, broccoli, sprouts, lemons , strawberries and blackcurrants!