Does vitamin C help with colds? (2024)

FAQs

Does vitamin C make a cold go away faster? ›

Vitamin C. It appears that taking vitamin C won't usually help the average person prevent colds. However, some studies have found that taking vitamin C before cold symptoms start may shorten the length of time you have symptoms.

Last Update: October 8, 2020; Next update: 2023. Taking vitamin C every day to try to prevent colds won't protect most people from colds. It only slightly shortens the amount of time that they're ill. Starting to take vitamin C once you already have cold symptoms won't have any effect on your cold.

Vitamins C and D, zinc, and Echinacea have evidence-based efficacy on these immune system barriers.

A supplemental dose of 1–2 grams was enough to shorten the duration of a cold by 18% in children, on average ( 1 ). Other studies in adults have found 6–8 grams per day to be effective ( 2 ). Vitamin C appears to have even stronger effects in people who are under intense physical stress.

There is no way to get rid of a cold fast. A cold will usually go away on its own without treatment. However, a person may experience uncomfortable symptoms while they recover. People can take steps to aid recovery, such as getting plenty of rest.

The stages of a cold include the incubation period, appearance of symptoms, remission, and recovery.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, taking vitamin C supplements regularly slightly reduces the length and severity of colds, but some forms of zinc appear to do a better job.

Despite it's popularity as a remedy for the common cold, there's actually no evidence to suggest that a large dose of vitamin C can actually prevent one — or any other type of illness, for that matter.

Vitamin C acts as a natural antihistamine by reducing the amount of histamine your body produces in response to an allergen. It might help reduce mild symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, congestion, and watery eyes due to allergic rhinitis.

To help you get better more quickly: rest and sleep. drink plenty of water (fruit juice or squash mixed with water is OK) to avoid dehydration. gargle salt water to soothe a sore throat (not suitable for children)

How do you defeat a cold? ›

However, a 2013 meta-analysis of over 11,000 people did conclude that taking vitamin C supplements regularly (an average of 1000 mg to 2000 mg per day) slightly reduced the duration of cold symptoms and severity.

Among young Norwegian adults, having a low prevalence of asthma and high prevalences of smoking-related respiratory symptoms, dietary vitamin C intake may act as an antioxidant and thereby reduce cough and wheeze in smokers having high oxidant stress.

In adults and older children, they usually last about 7 to 10 days, but can last longer. A cough in particular can last for two or three weeks. Colds tend to last longer in younger children who are under five, typically lasting around 10 to 14 days.

Recently an analysis of several studies showed that zinc lozenges or syrup reduced the length of a cold by one day, especially when taken within 24 hours of the first signs and symptoms of a cold.

Colds usually last 3 to 7 days, but sometimes they hang on as long as 2 weeks. If you're under the weather for longer than that, one of these things could be to blame.

How Long Should a Cold Last, and What Are the Stages? Key takeaways: The common cold often follows a timeline and can last up to 3 weeks. Symptoms can take 1 to 3 days to develop, peak at 1 to 3 days, and last up to 10 days.

Day 1: Fatigue, headache, sore or scratchy throat. Day 2: Sore throat worsens, low fever, mild nasal congestion. Day 3: Congestion worsens, sinus and ear pressure become very uncomfortable.

But in a new study, they have found that doing so may actually make a cold worse, because the blow propels mucus into the nasal sinuses. Blowing one's nose creates a significant amount of pressure, according to Jack M.

When can you tell your cold is ending? ›

A cold typically wraps up around day 10. There are, of course, exceptions. If you're still feeling the effects, your symptoms worsen, or your fever increases then it's time to re-evaluate and think about a different course of treatment.

Vitamin C does not prevent colds and only slightly reduces their length and severity. A 2013 review of scientific literature found that taking vitamin C regularly did not reduce the likelihood of getting a cold but was linked to small improvements in cold symptoms.

Taking vitamin D is not a guaranteed guard against the cold or flu. But vitamin D supplements are inexpensive and might give you a boost. Vitamin D: New studies suggest that people with low blood levels of vitamin D are more likely to get sick. Researchers think that vitamin D may play a role in boosting immunity.

Zinc, selenium and vitamin D are known for boosting the immune system. Specifically, a 2013 review of 17 studies found that taking zinc supplements within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms reduces the duration of common cold symptoms. Tip to remember: Supplements are beneficial in moderation.

But if you've ever tried these nutrients to speed up your own recovery time, you've likely wondered just how effective they really are. The truth is, vitamin C and zinc are not effective home remedies in treating a common cold.

The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine recommends that most adults get about 600 international units of vitamin D per day through food or supplements, increasing that dose to 800 IUs per day for those 70 or older.

You should be able to get all the vitamin C you need by eating a varied and balanced diet. If you take vitamin C supplements, do not take too much as this could be harmful. Taking less than 1,000mg of vitamin C supplements a day is unlikely to cause any harm.

An antihistamine is the best medicine for allergy-related runny noses. Antihistamines block histamines, the culprit behind common allergy symptoms such as watery eyes and runny noses. Diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine are the two most common antihistamines, but they cause drowsiness.

While the duration of your symptoms may vary, many people wonder how to cure a cold in 24 hours or even overnight. The best way to tame a cold fast is to stay home, rest, drink plenty of fluids, gargle with salt water, take an OTC medication, and humidify the air.

Does a hot shower help a cold? ›

A hot shower won't make your cold or flu disappear, but it can help you treat the uncomfortable symptoms. Benefits of hot showers include: Loosening chest congestion by breathing in steam. Clearing stuffy nasal passages with moisture.

Taking a hot shower or a bath can really help to quell your various pains. The warmth from the bath can help soothe your lungs, and the steam will moisturize your throat and nasal passages that have been dried out from your sickness.

American science points towards Vitamin C being beneficial for those suffering from heavy mucus in the respiratory tract, e.g. asthmatics and others suffering from chronic sinusitis and/or chronic bronchitis.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to treat a cough while you recover from COVID-19 at home. “It can help to elevate yourself when sleeping by slipping a wedge under your pillow,” says Klitzman. She adds, “Over-the-counter cough suppressants — antitussives — taken before bed can be very helpful.

Vitamin C and zinc supplements are also very common. While these supplements may shorten colds or improve coughs adults, high doses are typically used.

This nighttime spike in immune system activity and inflammation can also bleed into the morning hours, he says. So if, despite your symptoms, you're able to sleep through the night, you may find that you feel worse first thing in the morning when you wake up.

Viruses that cause colds can spread from infected people to others through the air and close personal contact. You can also get infected through contact with stool (poop) or respiratory secretions from an infected person.

Start taking a supplement.

Zinc, selenium and vitamin D are known for boosting the immune system. Specifically, a 2013 review of 17 studies found that taking zinc supplements within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms reduces the duration of common cold symptoms. Tip to remember: Supplements are beneficial in moderation.

According to the dietary guidelines, the max amount of vitamin C that is safe to take each day is 1800 milligrams. Taking in more can cause stomach upset, nausea and diarrhea, which typically resolves quickly once the usage is discontinued.

What is fastest recovery from cold? ›

Get plenty of rest

One thing that we know for sure is that your body needs rest to recover from a cold. Even when you're healthy and well, there's a known link between getting enough sleep and having a healthy immune system. When you're sick, your body needs to direct its efforts towards fighting off infection.

The best way to beat a cold fast is to rest, drink lots of fluids, and treat the symptoms with medicines that relieve pain, coughing, and congestion.

To help you get better more quickly: rest and sleep. drink plenty of water (fruit juice or squash mixed with water is OK) to avoid dehydration. gargle salt water to soothe a sore throat (not suitable for children)

In adults and older children, they usually last about 7 to 10 days, but can last longer. A cough in particular can last for two or three weeks. Colds tend to last longer in younger children who are under five, typically lasting around 10 to 14 days.