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  |  Natural Health  |  Herbs & Supplements  |  Vitamin C and the common cold
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Vitamin C and the common cold

by Alyson Greenhalgh and Dr. Sara Kirk

question
Will taking Vitamin C prevent me from getting a cold?

answer
Probably not. There is no evidence that vitamin C prevents this, but taking it whilst you have a cold may shorten the duration of your illness.

The best way to get the recommended daily amount of 40 mg of vitamin C is to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, particularly citrus fruits. Or, you can take a vitamin C supplement found at most chemists and health food stores. Be careful not to take too much vitamin C, as amounts over 1 g/day may cause side effects such as diarrhoea and possibly kidney stones.

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