vitamin c and the common cold
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Vitamin C and the Common Cold
Written by: Corrie CoxDTC 422
Background
Vitamin C is aka ascorbic acid The human body cannot synthesize
vitamin C Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin In 1928 vitamin C was isolated In 1933 its structure was
determined
Sources Vitamin C can be obtained through
Food or Supplements Food is the best source!
Parsley, broccoli, bell pepper, strawberries, oranges, lemon juice, papaya, cauliflower, kale, mustard greens, and Brussels sprouts
Supplements Do not consume more than 500mg/day
Deficiency
Those at high risk Smokers, the elderly, and people who
consume large amounts of alcohol Symptoms of scurvy
Fatigue, bleeding gums, altered wound healing, and uncontrolled rupture of capillaries
RDA and Overconsumption
RDA for Adults age 19 and older 90 mg/day for men 75 mg/day for women smokers additional 35 mg/day
Too much vitamin C can cause Nausea, vomiting, heartburn,
diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and headaches
Vitamin C & Common Cold
May have a mild antihistamine effect Shortens symptoms/duration of a cold
Common source Orange juice
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Vitamin C & Common Cold
Its role in fighting infection remains controversial
Read article below for more information http://www.independent.co.uk/life-styl
e/health-and-families/health-news/vitamin-c-does-not-protect-against-the-common-cold-457707.html
Media Report
“Vitamin C does not protect against the common cold” Article published in The Independent Written by Jeremy Laurance
Unnecessary expense Beneficial supplement for
Skiers, marathon runners, and soldiers
Media Report
More studies needed On children and effects of
pneumonia Avoiding the common cold
1. Take Echinacea (herbal remedy)2. Drink hot honey and lemon3. Avoiding shaking hands 4. Keep nose and face warm
Scientific Evidence Review Article
“Examining the evidence for the use of vitamin C in the prophylaxis and treatment of a common cold”
Common cold is a nuisance to daily activities Vitamin C used in iron absorption, wound healing,
and collagen formation Its use in cold treatment inconclusive Role in production of neurotransmitters Role in improved glucose metabolism Ability to improve function of immune system
Scientific Evidence
Thirty placebo controlled trial were reviewed 11,350 subjects Found no difference in the incidence
of the common cold Vitamin C supplements taken daily
Scientific Evidence Meta-analyses
Six trials 642 marathon runners, skiers, and soldiers
Performing in sub artic conditions Experimental group
Took 200 > mg/day Results
50% reduction of development of common cold No difference in duration or severity of a cold Decrease in missed number of work/school days
for those taking vitamin C
Scientific Evidence
Research Study “Sufficiently Important Difference for
Common Cold: Severity Reduction” Consumers choice of cold remedy Questionnaires 253 participants Conclusion
Preferred method in order: Vitamin C, Echinacea, zinc lozenge, and antiviral
Scientific Evidence Research Study
Medical Specialists opinion Questionnaire
http://www.coldstudy.org/expectedbenefits/
Evaluate treatment based of 7 day cold Reduce duration/severity of cold
Results Medical Specialists felt cold remedies
offer limited benefits
Scientific Evidence
Research Study “Immune-enhancing role of vitamin c
and zinc and effect on clinical conditions”
Improvement in the immune system from Vitamin C Zinc
Scientific Evidence Research Study
“Mega-dose vitamin C in treatment of the common cold: a randomized controlled trial”
400 Students Eighteen Month Trial Four intervention arms Conclusion
No difference between experimental group and placebo group
Scientific Evidence Correspondence
“Misleading Information on the Properties of Vitamin C”
Response to Cochrane Review Confusion
Between supplementation of vitamin C levels Claim
The claim that vitamin C cannot prevent of cure the common cold is premature and unjustifiable
Conclusion Further research needed
On children Effects of pneumonia
Shortcomings Dietary intake of vitamin C Small number of subjects Lack of diversity in subjects Self reported data
Regarding duration and severity of cold
References 1. Gropper SS, Smith JL, Groff JL. Advanced Nutrition and
Human Metabolism. Fifth edition, Wadsworth Cenage Learning, 2009.
2. Heiner KA, Hart AM, Martin LG, Rubio-Wallace S. Examining the evidence for the use of vitamin C in the prophylaxis and treatment of the common cold. J Am Acad Nurse Pract. 2009; 21(5): 295-300.
3. Available at: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/vitamin-c-does-not-protect-against-the-common-cold-457707.html. Accessed October 2, 2009.
4. Barrett B, Harahan B, Brown D, Zhang Z, Brown R. Sufficiently important difference for common cold: severity reduction. Ann Fam Med. 2007; 5(3): 216-23.
References 5. Barrett B, Endrizzi S, Andreoli P, Barlow S, Zhang Z.
Clinical significance of common cold treatment: professionals' opinions. WMJ. 2007; 106(8): 473-80.
6. Wintergerst ES, Maggini S, Hornig DH. Immune-enhancing role of vitamin C and zinc and effect on clinical conditions. Ann Nutr Metab. 2006; 50(2): 85-94.
7. Audera C, Patulny RV, Sander BH, Douglas RM. Mega-dose vitamin C in treatment of the common cold: a randomized controlled trial. Med J Aust. 2001 ; 175(7): 359-62.
8. Hickey S, Roberts H. Misleading information on the properties of vitamin C. PLoS Med. 2005; 2(6): e168; quize217.
The End