How to take vitamin C with cold: recommended dose

Does vitamin C help with colds? The common cold is the most common infection in the world of the upper respiratory tract, caused by a large group of viruses. Transmitted mostly by airborne droplets, pathogens penetrate the larynx, nasal cavity, pharynx, where they actively multiply and cause cell death. In parallel, toxins are released into the blood that trigger intoxication, accompanied by fever, joint aches, headache and general malaise. With normal immunity, a cold affects a person on average 1-2 times a year, with weakened body protection - from 3 to 4 times.

The role of vitamins in the cold

Vitamins in the cold season are a necessary component of quality treatment, as they are:

• Have immunomodulatory properties that accelerate the process of producing antibodies and that destroy catarrhal pathogens;
• Do not allow the penetration of pathogens into epithelial cells;
• Participate in the restoration of virus-damaged cells of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract.

Vitamin C treats a cold?

The most useful is for a cold vitamin C, which stimulates the synthesis of interferons, which are responsible for antiviral immunity. At one time it was even thought that he was able to cure a cold. Is it so? The myth that arose in the 1970s and encouraged parents to feed the children to "ascorbic" almost in place of sweets (in other words, with vitamin C was used everywhere for the common cold) was debunked some time ago. The results of the research showed that in large doses ascorbic acid is able to shorten the duration of the disease by only half a day. That is, patients who took vitamin C during a cold, were ill for as long as those who did without it. Therefore, it is unlikely that this tool plays a decisive role in the cure of the patient. More effective substance in the fight against disease-causing viruses by American scientists was recognized zinc, the use of which in an increased dosage reduced the recovery time by almost 2 times.

Or helps quickly recover?

Nevertheless, such a disappointing conclusion, which runs counter to the generally accepted opinion, does not at all point to the fact that vitamin C is not useful for colds.
Ascorbic acid, which helps cells of the immune system to cope more actively with infection and is a powerful antioxidant, is necessary during the illness itself, as it facilitates the process of recovery. Vitamin E. also works as an antioxidant in the body. If the task of ascorbic acid is to fight free radicals in the intercellular fluid, then vitamin E "hunts" them at the cellular level. The daily requirement for this element, contained in meat, liver, lettuce, nuts, is 10 mg.

Products containing vitamin C

Belief in the miraculous nature of vitamin C as an anti-cold medication is firmly present among parents, each of whom during the period of illness tries to fill the baby's diet with lemons and oranges-products containing ascorbic acid in their composition. This substance is a component not only in citrus fruits, but also in vegetables (melon, Bulgarian pepper, tomatoes, peaches), fruits (apples, apricots, peach), berries (strawberries, black currants). Of the products of animal origin, useful substance is rich in kidneys and liver. Also vitamin C is present in herbs: ocharynka, lucerne, hops, yarrow, parsley, raspberry leaves, peppermint, burdock root, fennel.

Many people mistakenly believe that vitamin C should be consumed as much as possible in winter, during the high season of colds. This is not right, because in the off-season the body's strengths are also weakened and need reinforcement. The break can be done in the summer, with its abundance of greenery, fresh vegetables and fruits.

When is it necessary to take vitamin C?

You should know that daily intake of vitamin C reduces the risk of colds by 50%. The need for ascorbic acid appears more often in comparison with other vitamins. This is due to the fact that with cold manifestations such an element creates an acidic environment, uncomfortable for viruses. For prevention, a dosage of 15-20 mg is recommended. The shock dose of vitamin C for colds is 1000-1500 mg per day. The most effective for its use is the initial period of the disease, characterized by malaise, nasal congestion, and throat swelling.

Increased demand for vitamin C occurs:

• During pregnancy and lactation;
• Increased physical exertion;
• Recovery process after a serious illness;
• Poisoning the body;
• The risk of infectious diseases.

The consequences of lack of ascorbic acid in the body

What is the danger of a deficiency in the body of ascorbic acid? The deficit of vitamin C is first of all indicated by the skin of a person who, literally before his eyes, will begin to grow old and grow old. Also, the lack of ascorbic acid can be determined by prolonged healing of wounds, scratches and other mechanical damages. The deficit of ascorbic acid is still evident:

• Muscle pain,
• General weakness,
• Lethargy,
• Apathy,
• Bleeding gums,
• Depressed state,
• Small-dot hemorrhages in the area of the hair follicles (most of the time on the legs),
• Loss of teeth,
• Pain in the heart,
• Hypotension (low blood pressure),
• Abnormalities of the stomach.

Daily dosage

What dose of vitamin C for a cold is considered harmless to the body? The daily requirement for ascorbic acid for the male half of the population is 64-108 mg, for women this figure is 55-79 mg. At the first manifestations of the common cold, the recommended dose is up to 1200 mg of vitamin per day. But it is worth remembering that the abuse of this substance with normal nutrition can lead to an overdose, expressed in nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, insomnia and excessive excitability. In some cases, the kidney and pancreas may be affected. Also, an excess of vitamin C negatively affects the tooth enamel and gastric mucosa. Therefore, in order to avoid possible complications, it is recommended to take it in the form of a drink, preferably through a tube.

Vitamins against colds

What vitamins for colds can really help? This is vitamin B1. Peas, spinach, wholemeal bread are products containing this element, restoring the epithelium and nerve endings of the respiratory tract.

Vitamin B6 (in another way - pyridoxine) restores nerve endings in the mucosa of the respiratory tract, which directly affects the rate of manifestation of painful symptoms (cough, unpleasant sensation in the throat). Available in meat and cabbage. In a day it is recommended to consume from 1.5 to 2 mg.

Vitamin PP (otherwise - nicotinic acid) has a small antiviral effect, activates blood circulation, regenerates blood vessels. It is present in mushrooms, meat, by-products (kidneys, liver), rye bread. The daily norm is 25 mg.

Vitamin A (retinol) is an important element for the renewal of cold-damaged cells. The daily requirement is 1.7 mg. It is present in beef and pork liver, butter, eggs, red and black caviar.

The necessary vitamins for the prevention of colds, as well as useful organic acids, are found in all fresh fruits and vegetables.