Vitamin C in Treatment of the Common Cold :: Health Medicine Papers

Vitamin C in Treatment of the Common Cold Is Vitamin C the cure for the common frigorific? Will it reduce the severity and epoch of a cold? Will it preserve you from ever having another cold? Of course, we would all like to think that would be true, but whats the concrete effect of Vitamin C supplements? What is Vitamin C and Where Can I Find It? Vitamin C is water soluble and functions as an antioxidant and as a coenzyme. Furthermore, it can achieve different functions in various situations, much(prenominal) as aiding in collagen organization for teeth, cartilage, and connective tissue and aiding in the formation of new tissue in wound healing. Vitamin C can be found in foods such as broccoli, brussel sprouts, cantaloupe, grapefruit, kiwi, oranges, peppers, and strawberries. Presently the RDA is 60 mg. What are the Dangers? Vitamin C Deficiency Vitamin C need is rather rare in Western countries, however, it still occurs in alcoholics, drug addicts, and the elderly--groups who se dietary intakes are often very poor. Marginal deficiency symptoms are gingivitis, loose teeth, aching limbs and joints, poor wound healing, and weakening of tissues which increases the lay on the line of infection. (Grodner, Anderson, & DeYoung 1996) Vitamin C Toxicity Despite the fact that Vitamin C is essential to best health, you can have too much of a good thing. Although toxicity from foods high in Vitamin C does not occur, taking supplements in blown-up doses (1 gm to 15 gm) may result in symptoms such as cramps, nausea, diarrhea, kidney stones, and gout. After receiving excessive amounts of Vitamin C, the body begins to destroy much of the excess Vitamin C that is in circulation. Furthermore, there is a potential rebound effect upon unawares stopping supplementation for the body is still in the process of destroying the vitamin. (Grodner, Anderson, & DeYoung 1996) brown (1973) also warned that chronic massive doses of Vitamin C resulted in increased militarisation of calcium and phosphate from the skeletons of chicks, weakening the bone structure. Although unsure if massive doses would enhance the same effect in humans, the author warned against chronic massive supplementation. Vitamin C and Colds How Does it Work?Vitamin C is often used for both prophylactic and healing(predicate) purposes. Wilson, Loh, and Foster (1972) state that the prophylactic effect refers to the ability of vitamin C to prevent a cold Furthermore, commencement of administration of vitamin C when cold symptoms archetypal appear constitutes the therapeutic use.