Can Vitamin C Shorten a Cold?

 It is cold and flu season.  Everyone is wanting to make sure that they do not catch a cold before the holidays, so taking vitamin C every day is a good idea, right?  Yes and no.  Researchers have shown that taking Vitamin C does not prevent a typical person from catching a cold ( people training for marathons and skiers may see some benefit.)  Taking vitamin C daily does seem to shorten a cold by one day if taken regularly. A typical cold lasts 12 days so that will shorten the length of days to 11 days. It is interesting, to note that children do see a bigger benefit from taking regular Vitamin C.  If Vitamin C is taken regularly by children their colds will be shorten from 28 days to 24 days.

It's expensive to take Vitamin C supplement daily.  Try to get your Vitamin C from these unlikely sources:  Broccoli, red bell peppers, brussels sprouts and papaya.  Of course you can reach for an orange but everyone does that!