Does Extra VitC Really Help?

[katharina]

Do any of you take extra C during the cold months? If so, have you
noticed a difference in the number of colds, or is it mostly hype?:dance:

[palefrost]

Whenever i feel off with a sore throat or other cold ailment approaching i take a vit c chewable or vit c candies and i notice a difference. I either dont get a cold or it passes in record time. I dont care if its in my head it works lol. :jump:

[katharina]

Whenever i feel off with a sore throat or other cold ailment approaching i take a vit c chewable or vit c candies and i notice a difference. I either dont get a cold or it passes in record time. I dont care if its in my head it works lol. :jump:

Thanks... I just bought some of the chewable C and I was hoping that it wasn't wasted. If I'm remembering right, I did this one other year and we all ended up with worst colds than ever, but I hope that was coincidence. We had *really* nasty colds in March this year so at least I'm stocked up on the meds if colds come, but I'd rather prevent them. :dance:

[FourBear]

I think it's mostly hype. While vitamin c definitely does help, once you reach a certain level, excess vitamin c is expelled from your body. This happens very easily, as vitamin c is a water soluble vitamin and therefore leaves via your urine. You can pop as many pills as you want, but your body can only hold so much vitamin c! No use to overdose on it.

[kelkat]

palefrost, I do the same thing - funny, huh! And I can tell a huge difference. Especially if I let it get to far before I take the C. I usually take a double dose as soon as I feel a tickle in my throat. I'm a mom, I'm not allowed to be sick ;).

[DJDizzy1]

I just drink extra orange juice. It works just as well to me, and it's cheaper. But if you don't want the extra calories I'm sure the pill works just as well.

[Plumley]

During cold and flu session I take a vitamin C every day. There's no way to tell if it helps, really. I think it does, though, so having the positive attitude probably is a plus.

[Melos]

I take Vitamin C every day and a lot extra during my allergy months. I would collapse in a ball of sneezing and itchiness if not for Vit C. I take it till I can function - usually about 3-4 thousand mgs 2 times a day.

There is conflicting studies out there - as there are for most health or medicinal things. Massive Vit C therapy has been used to 'cure' cancer and reverse heart disease (the establishment does now agree that Vit C helps to reduce inflammation in vessel walls, thus improving blood flow).

[LeighA]

I don't take it every day although I probably should but when I have a cold I'll take some twice a day and it really does affect the severity and the length of the cold.

[capitalist_junkie]

It's mostly hype to me -- but then again, I don't really get colds, so I guess it's a moot point.

[katharina]

I think it's mostly hype. While vitamin c definitely does help, once you reach a certain level, excess vitamin c is expelled from your body. This happens very easily, as vitamin c is a water soluble vitamin and therefore leaves via your urine. You can pop as many pills as you want, but your body can only hold so much vitamin c! No use to overdose on it.

:D I wasn't talking about od'ing in the original post... I was talking about one chewable a day like my other vitamins.

[Fluffernutter]

Vitamin C is found in mass amounts in EVERYTHING nowadays. Fruit juices, fruit snacks, cereals, you name it. If it has the smallest hint of a citris fruit flavor, it'll be advertised as a vitamin C supplier.

Vitamins B12, fiber, and CALCIUM (esp. for women) are much more lacking in todays society. Everyone knows about vitamin C, it's the lesser-known vitamins that people are generally deficient in.

[teenwire]

I would say vitamin C does work wonders for me. I usually catch colds a lot, just a sudden change in weather or an exposure to somebody with cold. I also get chapped lips when I dont take in vitamin C. I take 3000 mg of vitamin C daily and this works for me. I also notice my skin is better with it.

[chatterbox]

Taking extra vitamin C for me does work. I'm an easy catcher of the flu and since taking vitamin C supplements, I've noticed that I have greater resistance to colds and simple viral infections. I take 2000 mg of vitamin C a day. I have also noticed less breakouts on my skin and healthy lips.

[sweet_mayhem]

taking vit. c supplements do work for me. i take only 2 everyday but during times when my rhinitis ( if it really is rhinitis and not sinusitis) strikes, it sometimes takes me 5-6 capsules to get it manageable. :worthy:

[NicoMoon]

Hi sweet mayhem!

What's the difference between rhinitis and sinitis?? :dork: