How does vitamin C work for colds and flu?


Does vitamin C help with colds?

The vitamin formula has been known since 1933. Since then it has been produced artificially. Vitamin C:

  • mobilizes the protective functions of the immune system;
  • strengthens gums, teeth, bones;
  • accelerates the healing of wounds and fractures;
  • improves skin condition;
  • replenishes the lack of zinc and iron.

Vitamin C is a well-known antioxidant that restores youth to the body, reducing the risk of age-related diseases. This is an excellent remedy against vitamin deficiency. At the very beginning of a cold, its increased dose stops the development of the disease. By enhancing the secretion of leukocytes and interferons, it inhibits the reproduction of the virus.

Vitamin C can be found in many medications. It is added to tablets and powders. If you take ascorbic acid during the cold season, the duration of the disease will be significantly reduced. The vitamin is especially useful for children.

Taking vitamin C alone is not enough to cure a cold. The patient needs bed rest, an antiviral agent, and plenty of warm drinks. It has been proven that an increased dose of vitamin C will not help prevent a cold, but it will significantly improve its progression.

Vitamin C overdose

A fairly common situation: a person who has a cold decides to take a lot of ascorbic acid and other products containing the necessary vitamin in order to speed up recovery and prevent exacerbation of the disease.

Remember once and for all: a heavy dose of vitamin C may not only not cure you of a cold, but also lead to undesirable consequences! If you do not agree with the attending physician on the required amount of ascorbic acid, then such “treatment” can greatly harm the patient.

You need to understand that all people are different from each other, so not everyone can absorb vitamin C normally. In such cases, ascorbic acid for colds can cause the following side effects:

  • irritation of the mucous membrane of the digestive organs when taken orally;
  • allergies and skin rashes;
  • slowing down the blood clotting process;
  • damage to tooth enamel (if you take chewable tablets frequently).

But even those people who do not have any problems processing vitamin C should always remember about proper treatment with this drug. An excess of ascorbic acid can lead to:

  • insomnia;
  • problems with the nervous system;
  • nausea;
  • intestinal diseases;
  • headache.

When the symptoms described above appear, a number of procedures are carried out to eliminate them. Often the patient’s stomach is simply washed out.

On average, the dose of vitamin C for a cold should not exceed 200 mg per day.

Effective vitamins in tablets

Ascorbic acid is prescribed during the period of rehabilitation after a serious illness, during feeding, stress, scurvy, infection, pregnancy, hypothermia. It is divided into types:

  • regular;
  • Esther See;
  • lipososmal vitamin C.

Most often, the vitamin is produced in the form of lozenges and effervescent tablets. The most effective for colds and their prevention are:

  1. Multivitamins. They consist of 10 vitamins. Recommended for children over 4 years old and adults. Dispensed in the form of tablets that must be chewed.
  2. Revit. Budget product of 6 vitamins. Allowed to be given to children over 2 years old. Strengthens the body's strength during ARVI.
  3. Complivit. A complex of vitamins for adults and children over twelve years old. Treats hypovitaminosis.
  4. Ascorbic acid with glucose tablets. Increases vascular permeability. It is indicated for irritation, fatigue, and poor protection against infections.

When taking ascorbic acid along with other medications, it is worth considering that the vitamin may be contained in their composition. Vitamin C is already included in Coldrex, Theraflu Immuno, Fervex, Direct, and antipyretics. Vitamin C dosage for children and adults

The dosage of vitamin C for colds is calculated based on age, metabolic status, and the presence of chronic diseases. It is worth considering gender, time of year and area of ​​residence.

Benefits for colds

The international organization Cochrane Collaboration, which studies the effectiveness of medications, recently conducted a series of studies in which it found that vitamin C for colds prevents the exacerbation of ARVI symptoms and helps reduce the duration of the disease. The results of the study showed that a person who took the required amount of this microelement daily was 50% less susceptible to contracting the flu or cold than someone whose daily dose did not meet this standard.

For colds, the human body needs ascorbic acid much more than other vitamins. This is due to the fact that it creates a special acidic environment in the body that destroys harmful microbes. It is worth adding that ascorbic acid for acute respiratory viral infections should be used as an adjuvant, and not the main one. Under no circumstances should you refuse regular treatment and medical help if the patient’s condition is very serious. Treatment with ascorbic acid alone is unlikely to produce quick results, so it is best used for prevention, which will be discussed below.

Daily dose

Experts are unanimous in their opinion that the optimal daily dose of ascorbic acid is no more than 100 mg. If you are in good health, you can limit yourself to 50 mg. An excess of the drug is fraught with negative consequences - impaired functioning of the kidneys and pancreas.

People with dental problems need to use the vitamin carefully, as it destroys tooth enamel. The optimal type of ascorbic acid is in the form of a liquid emulsion. It is recommended to drink it after meals. The daily dose is divided into several parts.

Reference. Since nicotine interferes with the full absorption of ascorbic acid, smokers should increase the dose of the vitamin to 500 mg.

Products containing vitamin C

In summer, you don’t have to take a special supplement – ​​there are enough vitamins in seasonal fruits and vegetables. Most of it is found in rose hips, cranberries, citrus fruits, kiwi, bell peppers, and currants. There is a lot of vitamin C in tomatoes, strawberries, broccoli, cabbage - fresh and pickled, herbs, parsley. Onions, carrots, sea buckthorn, melon, apricots, peaches, kidneys, and liver are rich in it.

Vitamin C is found in herbs:

  • alfalfa;
  • eyebright;
  • mullein;
  • fennel;
  • mint;
  • yarrow;
  • Red clover;
  • nettle;
  • sorrel.

To get it fully, sometimes it is not enough to eat well. To compensate for the lack of vitamin C, you will have to drink several liters of apple juice.

During the cold season, the body needs reinforcement. At this time, you need to stock up on sweet and sour supplements. Many people are interested in how much vitamin C should be consumed during the warm season. Since during this period the body is saturated with the sun and extracts useful microelements from foods, you can refuse to buy ascorbic acid.

What are the consequences of a lack and excess of ascorbic acid?

Ascorbic acid has almost no contraindications. Its use should be limited to people with individual intolerance.

Vitamin C deficiency has the following symptoms:

  • deterioration of hair condition;
  • premature appearance of wrinkles;
  • depression and apathy;
  • loss of sleep;
  • fatigue;
  • long healing of abrasions and bruises;
  • noticeable expansion of veins;
  • loss of vision.

In the summer, an excess of the vitamin in combination with sunlight destroys blood cells, which leads to anemia. If you take ascorbic acid in too large quantities, kidney stones form. With increased doses, glucose will not be absorbed, which threatens diabetes in the future.

Although vitamin C cannot cure a cold on its own, taking it will relieve symptoms and speed up recovery. This is an inexpensive and effective way to prevent seasonal diseases, recommended not only for children, but also for adults.

Ascorbic acid for treatment

In the 70s of the last century, scientific works were published that proved that it is vitamin C that the human body needs most. The substance, dissolving in the body, creates a kind of acidic environment, which is aggressive towards harmful microorganisms. It is this factor that has led to its widespread use in combination with other medications in the treatment of colds and viral diseases.

Pharmacists have created many drugs for the treatment of colds that contain ascorbic acid. For ease of use, the dosage form of the drugs makes it possible to use the medicine in the form of powders, tablets, dragees and capsules. Ascorbic acid can also be used intramuscularly, this is especially valuable when treating colds in hospital settings, when several drugs are used simultaneously in combination.

Preparations with vitamin C for colds

For the convenience of treating colds, pharmacists have created a number of drugs that simultaneously combine several medicinal substances, including vitamin C:

  • "Fervex." The drug is one of the first complex medications, which, combining several medicinal substances, appeared on the shelves of our pharmacies. In combination with paracetamol and other antihistamines, Fervex helps reduce fever and eliminate nasal congestion and runny nose. The disadvantage of the drug is its inability to resist viral diseases due to the fact that it lacks antiviral components.
  • Coldrex. Like Fervex, the drug is not able to resist viral diseases, but for colds, Coldrex can get you back on your feet almost within a day, and the symptoms disappear within the first hours after taking it. The main components of the drug are vitamin C, caffeine and paracetamol; these substances have a “shock” effect on the body.
  • "Anvi Max." The drug differs in its effect on the body in that the presence in it, in addition to vitamin C, paracetamol, loratadine and rimantadine, helps fight viral infections.
  • "Teraflu". The most important advantage of the medicine is the speed of treatment. Paracetamol + vitamin C quickly “extinguish” the negative impact on the general symptoms of the disease, and the presence of pheniramine in the drug reduces vascular permeability, thereby preventing swelling. The drug relieves symptoms, but is powerless against viral infections, since it does not contain a substance capable of fighting harmful microorganisms.

Beneficial properties of vitamin C

Vitamin C is an organic acid that is highly soluble in water. It enters the human body with food. Ascorbic acid is necessary for the body because it has several beneficial properties:

  • participates in redox processes;
  • improves hematopoiesis and blood clotting;
  • regulates carbohydrate metabolism;
  • participates in the synthesis of collagen and steroid hormones;
  • increases immunity;
  • improves calcium absorption, strengthening bones and teeth;
  • accelerates wound healing;
  • participates in the metabolic processes of other vitamins: A, E, B;
  • promotes the elimination of toxins;
  • slows down the aging of the body;
  • activates anti-inflammatory and antiallergic processes.

What does science say?

“Ascorbic fever” spurred the scientific world to study more deeply the properties of vitamin C and, in particular, its potential “anti-cold” effect.

The first major study was conducted already in 1975. Its results showed an extremely insignificant reduction in the duration and severity of the runny nose when taking vitamin C. So insignificant that the authors concluded that there was no effect on the course of the cold.

Over the next four decades, scientists did not give up trying to figure out where Pauling’s theory “grew” from. More than 30 clinical trials involving nearly 10,000 volunteers have examined the effects of taking high doses of vitamin C every day.

Most studies conducted in the population of average citizens have shown that ascorbic acid does not prevent the development of ARVI and influenza and does not shorten the duration of colds.

In 2007, the results of an experiment were published confirming that when taking vitamin C for medicinal purposes, one should not expect any effect from it.

But if you regularly take 200 mg of ascorbic acid over a long period of time, recovery will actually occur faster by as much as 8% in adults and 14% in children.

This means that the average adult who gets sick 12 days a year, taking vitamin C every day, will get sick one less day a year. And children's sick leave will be reduced from 28 days (on average) to 24 days a year. “Not a lot,” the reader will say, and he will be right.

And yet sometimes vitamin C actually works as a cold remedy.

Ascorbic acid powder for influenza loading dose

One of the most effective helpers for immunity during a raging virus are vitamins. They not only serve as a preventive measure, but also speed up the patient’s recovery. Vitamin C is especially popular. How is it useful?

Does vitamin C help with colds?

The vitamin formula has been known since 1933. Since then it has been produced artificially. Vitamin C:

  • mobilizes the protective functions of the immune system;
  • strengthens gums, teeth, bones;
  • accelerates the healing of wounds and fractures;
  • improves skin condition;
  • replenishes the lack of zinc and iron.

Vitamin C is a well-known antioxidant that restores youth to the body, reducing the risk of age-related diseases. This is an excellent remedy against vitamin deficiency. At the very beginning of a cold, its increased dose stops the development of the disease. By enhancing the secretion of leukocytes and interferons, it inhibits the reproduction of the virus.

Vitamin C can be found in many medications. It is added to tablets and powders. If you take ascorbic acid during the cold season, the duration of the disease will be significantly reduced. The vitamin is especially useful for children.

Taking vitamin C alone is not enough to cure a cold. The patient needs bed rest, an antiviral agent, and plenty of warm drinks. It has been proven that an increased dose of vitamin C will not help prevent a cold, but it will significantly improve its progression.

Products containing vitamin C

In summer, you don’t have to take a special supplement – ​​there are enough vitamins in seasonal fruits and vegetables. Most of it is found in rose hips, cranberries, citrus fruits, kiwi, bell peppers, and currants. There is a lot of vitamin C in tomatoes, strawberries, broccoli, cabbage - fresh and pickled, herbs, parsley. Onions, carrots, sea buckthorn, melon, apricots, peaches, kidneys, and liver are rich in it.

Vitamin C is found in herbs:

To get it fully, sometimes it is not enough to eat well. To compensate for the lack of vitamin C, you will have to drink several liters of apple juice.

During the cold season, the body needs reinforcement. At this time, you need to stock up on sweet and sour supplements. Many people are interested in how much vitamin C should be consumed during the warm season. Since during this period the body is saturated with the sun and extracts useful microelements from foods, you can refuse to buy ascorbic acid.

Important! Ascorbic acid in combination with vitamins B6, PP, A will help you quickly overcome the disease. There are many of them in meat, cabbage, mushrooms, offal, eggs, caviar, and butter.

Effective vitamins in tablets

Ascorbic acid is prescribed during the period of rehabilitation after a serious illness, during feeding, stress, scurvy, infection, pregnancy, hypothermia. It is divided into types:

  • regular;
  • Esther See;
  • lipososmal vitamin C.

Most often, the vitamin is produced in the form of lozenges and effervescent tablets. The most effective for colds and their prevention are:

  1. Multivitamins. They consist of 10 vitamins. Recommended for children over 4 years old and adults. Dispensed in the form of tablets that must be chewed.
  2. Revit. Budget product of 6 vitamins. Allowed to be given to children over 2 years old. Strengthens the body's strength during ARVI.
  3. Complivit. A complex of vitamins for adults and children over twelve years old. Treats hypovitaminosis.
  4. Ascorbic acid with glucose tablets. Increases vascular permeability. It is indicated for irritation, fatigue, and poor protection against infections.

When taking ascorbic acid along with other medications, it is worth considering that the vitamin may be contained in their composition. Vitamin C is already included in Coldrex, Theraflu Immuno, Fervex, Direct, and antipyretics. Vitamin C dosage for children and adults

The dosage of vitamin C for colds is calculated based on age, metabolic status, and the presence of chronic diseases. It is worth considering gender, time of year and area of ​​residence.

For one-year-old children, 30 mg of vitamin per day is enough. For children from 1 to 6 years old, 50 mg is recommended. At school age, the optimal dosage is 30-70 mg per day. Adults should limit themselves to 50-100 mg per day. The same applies to pregnant women and nursing mothers. Young people absorb the vitamin better. That is why large doses are recommended for older people.

The dosage also depends on climatic conditions. At extreme temperatures, in the south or north, the need for ascorbic acid increases several times.

If a woman uses oral contraception, she should increase the dose of vitamin C, as the drugs neutralize its effect in the blood.

Vitamin C for colds is recommended to consume no more than 200 mg per day. The dosage should be carefully observed. An excess of vitamin C will increase the secretion of oxalic acid and prevent glucose from fixing. After taking the following side effects are possible:

  • headache;
  • thinning of tooth enamel;
  • irritation of the gastrointestinal tract;
  • allergies, itching.

An overdose of the drug manifests itself in insomnia, diarrhea, nausea, and dizziness. In such cases, gastric lavage is done.

Daily dose

Experts are unanimous in their opinion that the optimal daily dose of ascorbic acid is no more than 100 mg. If you are in good health, you can limit yourself to 50 mg. An excess of the drug is fraught with negative consequences - impaired functioning of the kidneys and pancreas.

People with dental problems need to use the vitamin carefully, as it destroys tooth enamel. The optimal type of ascorbic acid is in the form of a liquid emulsion. It is recommended to drink it after meals. The daily dose is divided into several parts.

Reference. Since nicotine interferes with the full absorption of ascorbic acid, smokers should increase the dose of the vitamin to 500 mg.

A loading dose of vitamin C for colds

Many scientists agree that shock doses of vitamin C at the very beginning of a cold can destroy the virus. They recommend consuming up to 1000-1500 mg of ascorbic acid per day.

Recent studies have shown that an increased dose of ascorbic acid for colds reduces the duration of the disease. In adults, the period of colds decreased by 8%, in children - by 14%. Zinc turned out to be more effective - it accelerated recovery by half.

Any vitamin is eliminated from the body after 5 hours. Ascorbic acid has a positive effect for colds for 8-12 hours. During periods of weakening, it is especially important to strengthen the immune system. A loading dose of ascorbic acid will help with colds.

Important! It was found that professional runners taking ascorbic acid suffered from ARVI less often than their colleagues who did not.

What are the consequences of a lack and excess of ascorbic acid?

Ascorbic acid has almost no contraindications. Its use should be limited to people with individual intolerance.

Vitamin C deficiency has the following symptoms:

  • deterioration of hair condition;
  • premature appearance of wrinkles;
  • depression and apathy;
  • loss of sleep;
  • fatigue;
  • long healing of abrasions and bruises;
  • noticeable expansion of veins;
  • loss of vision.

In the summer, an excess of the vitamin in combination with sunlight destroys blood cells, which leads to anemia. If you take ascorbic acid in too large quantities, kidney stones form. With increased doses, glucose will not be absorbed, which threatens diabetes in the future.

Although vitamin C cannot cure a cold on its own, taking it will relieve symptoms and speed up recovery. This is an inexpensive and effective way to prevent seasonal diseases, recommended not only for children, but also for adults.

source

Ascorbic acid for colds: to drink or not to drink?

Where did the idea about the healing properties of ascorbic acid come from and will vitamin C help with ARVI?

With the onset of the first cold weather and the appearance of the first victims of the flu and ARVI epidemic in pharmacies, the traditional annual epic of emergency cold prevention begins. Antivirals, interferons and, of course, ascorbic acid are swept off shelves and display cases. For many years now it has been considered almost the most powerful “fighter” against ARVI. But what are its real capabilities in this field?

About properties and functions

Vitamin C has many functions in the body.

It is involved in at least eight enzymatic reactions, including the production of collagen, which forms the basis of the dermis (skin), bone, and cartilage tissue.

Ascorbic acid is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals. It is necessary for the synthesis of the “happiness hormone” serotonin and a protein that resists viral infection - interferon.

Hypovitaminosis C is primarily fraught with the development of scurvy associated with collagen deficiency. In this case, first the vessels lose their elasticity, and then the connective tissue, including the skin and gums, is affected.

Scurvy, of course, is a serious and dangerous disease, but our contemporaries associate it only with the sea voyages of Vasco da Gama and Captain Cook.

In the 21st century, it is almost impossible to become a victim of scurvy: even the most meager diet contains much more vitamin C than is necessary to prevent the disease.

The daily intake of ascorbic acid is on average 75 mg for women and 90 mg for men.

About 100 g of lemon, 20 g of black currant or 16 g of sweet red pepper (these quantities of the product contain 100 mg of vitamin C) more than cover the needs of an adult.

Meanwhile, during a flu epidemic, many of us start taking 1000 mg, and sometimes even more. Let's figure out whether there is a scientific basis for such a significant overdose.

To the origins

The theory about the miraculous properties of vitamin C was started by the American chemist Linus Pauling. In 1970, he published a sensational book in which he claimed that regular consumption of 3000 mg of ascorbic acid (which is almost 40 times the norm) can prevent infection with ARVI. Pauling arrogantly declared that influenza epidemics would soon end.

The Americans immediately believed the chemist: the book was reprinted in millions of copies, and sales of vitamin C increased 4 times in a few years. By the mid-1970s, 50 million US citizens were taking high doses of ascorbic acid daily. Manufacturers even called the general craze for vitamin C the “Linus Pauling effect.”

Source: https://lkray-promo.ru/gripp/askorbinovaya-kislota-v-poroshke-pri-grippe-udarnaya-doza/

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