Extra Dose of Vitamin C Based on a Daily Supplementation Shortens the Common Cold: A Meta-Analysis of 9 Randomized Controlled Trials

Li, Ran; Zhao, Wei; Wang, Jingxia; Wang, Hongwu; Zhao, Ye; Tseng, Yiider; Bu, Huaien

doi:10.1155/2018/1837634

Cited by 82 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 33 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Second, we recommend supplementation above the RDA for vitamins C and D. As noted above, recent meta-analyses concluded significant reductions in the risk and impact of both upper and lower respiratory tract infections such as the common cold and pneumonia, including disease severity and risk of death in older patients, with vitamin C supplementation [27,28,79]. Based on this evidence, a daily intake of at least 200 mg/day for healthy individuals is recommended.…”

Section: Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Epa + Dha)mentioning

confidence: 97%

Optimal Nutritional Status for a Well-Functioning Immune System Is an Important Factor to Protect against Viral Infections

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Public health practices including handwashing and vaccinations help reduce the spread and impact of infections. Nevertheless, the global burden of infection is high, and additional measures are necessary. Acute respiratory tract infections, for example, were responsible for approximately 2.38 million deaths worldwide in 2016. The role nutrition plays in supporting the immune system is well-established. A wealth of mechanistic and clinical data show that vitamins, including vitamins A, B 6 , B 12 , C, D, E, and folate; trace elements, including zinc, iron, selenium, magnesium, and copper; and the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid play important and complementary roles in supporting the immune system. Inadequate intake and status of these nutrients are widespread, leading to a decrease in resistance to infections and as a consequence an increase in disease burden. Against this background the following conclusions are made: (1) supplementation with the above micronutrients and omega-3 fatty acids is a safe, effective, and low-cost strategy to help support optimal immune function; (2) supplementation above the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), but within recommended upper safety limits, for specific nutrients such as vitamins C and D is warranted; and (3) public health officials are encouraged to include nutritional strategies in their recommendations to improve public health.

show abstract

Section: Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Epa + Dha)mentioning

confidence: 97%

Optimal Nutritional Status for a Well-Functioning Immune System Is an Important Factor to Protect against Viral Infections

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Vitamin C. Mostly high-quality evidence demonstrates that vitamin C supplementation (≥0.2 g/day, or therapeutic doses of 4-8 g/day) in adults and children with a common cold can significantly reduce its duration [201,216] and severity [201], shorten the time of confinement indoors [216], and relieve cold symptoms including chest pain, fever, and chills [216]. The greatest benefits may be seen in children, although no therapeutic trials have looked at the effects of vitamin C in treating common cold in children; there were no consistent benefits in specific therapeutic trials in adults [201].…”

Section: Micronutrients In the Management Of Acute Infectionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Micronutrients and the Immune System–Working in Harmony to Reduce the Risk of Infection

2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Immune support by micronutrients is historically based on vitamin C deficiency and supplementation in scurvy in early times. It has since been established that the complex, integrated immune system needs multiple specific micronutrients, including vitamins A, D, C, E, B6, and B12, folate, zinc, iron, copper, and selenium, which play vital, often synergistic roles at every stage of the immune response. Adequate amounts are essential to ensure the proper function of physical barriers and immune cells; however, daily micronutrient intakes necessary to support immune function may be higher than current recommended dietary allowances. Certain populations have inadequate dietary micronutrient intakes, and situations with increased requirements (e.g., infection, stress, and pollution) further decrease stores within the body. Several micronutrients may be deficient, and even marginal deficiency may impair immunity. Although contradictory data exist, available evidence indicates that supplementation with multiple micronutrients with immune-supporting roles may modulate immune function and reduce the risk of infection. Micronutrients with the strongest evidence for immune support are vitamins C and D and zinc. Better design of human clinical studies addressing dosage and combinations of micronutrients in different populations are required to substantiate the benefits of micronutrient supplementation against infection.

show abstract

“…In fact, when vitamin C was given in a higher dose (3 g/day), it improved the symptoms of common cold even if it was started after the onset of symptoms [ 33 ]. Furthermore, a meta-analysis of nine RCTs showed that extra-therapeutic dose of vitamin C at the onset of symptoms in addition to routine vitamin C supplement relieved common cold symptoms and decreased duration of illness [ 34 ]. Interestingly, oral and IV treatment with mega-dose of vitamin C (50–200 g/day) ameliorated symptoms in patients with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and reduced severity of opportunistic infections [ 35 ].…”

Section: Antiviral Properties Of Vitamin Cmentioning

confidence: 99%

Overview of the possible role of vitamin C in management of COVID-19

2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The mainstay of management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is mainly supportive as to date there is no effective antiviral treatment, apart from remdesivir which has been approved by Food and Drug administration (FDA) for treatment of COVID-19, or vaccine. Supplementation with micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, has gained an increasing interest as part of the supportive management of COVID-19. Vitamin C levels in serum and leukocytes are depleted during the acute stage of infection owing to increased metabolic demands. High-dose vitamin C supplement helps to normalise both serum and leukocytes vitamin C levels. Vitamin C has multiple pharmacological characteristics, antiviral, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, which make it a potential therapeutic option in management of COVID-19. The use of high dose of intravenous vitamin C for management of COVID-19 in China and the United Stated has shown promising results. There were no reported adverse reactions with the short-term use of high dose of vitamin C. Given the fact that vitamin C is cheap, available and safe drug with beneficial effects in management of viral infections and critically ill patients reported in previous clinical trials, it is sensible to add it to COVID-19 management protocol particularly if the current ongoing clinical trials testing the effect of vitamin C in management of COVID-19 show positive results.

show abstract

Extra Dose of Vitamin C Based on a Daily Supplementation Shortens the Common Cold: A Meta-Analysis of 9 Randomized Controlled Trials

Cited by 82 publications

References 33 publications

Optimal Nutritional Status for a Well-Functioning Immune System Is an Important Factor to Protect against Viral Infections

Optimal Nutritional Status for a Well-Functioning Immune System Is an Important Factor to Protect against Viral Infections

A Review of Micronutrients and the Immune System–Working in Harmony to Reduce the Risk of Infection

Overview of the possible role of vitamin C in management of COVID-19

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About