Topic: Health
A Nobel Prize winner claimed vitamin C could prevent colds. But research shows it may only help reduce severe symptoms by about 10%. Taking high doses of vitamin C can be safe, but not for everyone.
Vitamin C is often marketed as a way to boost our immune system and fight off the common cold. But where did this idea come from? It's linked to Linus Pauling, a chemist who won two Nobel Prizes in 1954 and 1962. He published a book in 1970 claiming that taking high doses of vitamin C could prevent colds.
But his recommendations were based on just one small study and four other studies with some flaws. Since then, many more research studies have been done. A big review of these studies found that if there is any effect at all, it's very small. People who took vitamin C had a 15% reduction in severe cold symptoms compared to those who didn't take it. However, this only worked for athletes and army personnel.
Another study looked at people taking lower doses of vitamin C (around 200mg a day). It found that they didn't get fewer colds than those who didn't take any vitamin C. But again, there was some evidence that vitamin C could reduce the severity of symptoms in children and adults by 8-14%. However, this only worked if people took vitamin C regularly before getting sick.
So, what does all this mean? Taking high doses of vitamin C may not prevent colds at all. But it might help reduce how long severe symptoms last by about 10%. This means that if you're taking vitamin C and your cold symptoms last for five days, they might go away a bit sooner.
But be careful: the recommended daily intake of vitamin C is much lower than what Pauling suggested. In Australia, it's around 45mg per day - which is roughly what you'd find in half an orange or three to four florets of cooked broccoli.
Why It Matters
This matters because many people in India take high doses of vitamin C thinking it will prevent colds. But the evidence shows that this might not be effective, and could even be harmful if taken in excess.
Key Facts
- Linus Pauling won two Nobel Prizes in 1954 and 1962 for his work on chemical bonds and peace activism.
- Pauling's book on vitamin C and colds was published in 1970, but his recommendations were based on flawed studies.
- A big review of research studies found that taking vitamin C may only reduce severe cold symptoms by about 10%.
- The recommended daily intake of vitamin C is much lower than what Pauling suggested.
- Taking high doses of vitamin C can be safe for some people, but not for everyone.
Key Terms
- Nobel Prize
- An award given to scientists and researchers who make significant contributions to their field.
- Meta-analysis
- A study that combines the results of many other studies to see if there's a bigger pattern or effect.
Implications
This matters because many people in India take high doses of vitamin C thinking it will prevent colds. But the evidence shows that this might not be effective, and could even be harmful if taken in excess.
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