Does Vitamin C Make Cold Symptoms Worse? Here’s When It Can Backfire

Winter is both the cold and flu season, which often leads people to wonder whether increasing their vitamin C intake can help them stay healthy and avoid getting sick. Many people believe that vitamin C may actually treat a cold. However, research on this claim suggests mixed conclusions.

Some studies have suggested that higher doses of vitamin C may slightly shorten the duration of a cold. Although researchers haven’t fully confirmed this, the supplement doesn’t seem to prevent colds from occurring in the first place. People who engage in short bursts of intense physical activity may experience additional benefits.

That said, vitamin C doesn’t work the same way for all of us. While it helps some people, others won’t notice much of a change in how they feel. Most healthy adults can safely try vitamin C at 1000-2000 mg daily. However, higher doses can cause an upset stomach.

Vitamin C can help in some situations, particularly if taken regularly or as soon as you start to catch a cold. But it is not a cure-all and will not prevent every infection. Understanding how it works and that symptoms sometimes worsen at first will reassure you enough to use vitamin C more confidently and realistically. 

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Does Vitamin C Actually Make Cold Symptoms Worse?

Researchers have long studied vitamin C as a potential cold remedy and preventive measure, but the results have been mixed. Overall, specialists have shown that vitamin C has little to no value in treating or preventing the common cold.

Researchers sought to determine whether consuming 200 mg or more of vitamin C per day could reduce the incidence, duration, or severity of colds in a 2007 study. They reviewed 60 years of clinical data and concluded that vitamin C supplements do not shorten or lessen the severity of a cold when taken after it begins.

Vitamin C shortened colds by 14% in children and 8% in adults when taken daily, while they were not sick. They reviewed all the studies in 2010 and found that it does not reduce the frequency of colds, but in some cases, it can improve them.

How Vitamin C Affects the Body During a Cold

The body uses vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, a water-soluble vitamin and antioxidant, which helps maintain the health of the blood vessels, muscles, and bones. In contrast to other nutrients, your body is unable to generate or store considerable amounts of vitamin C. As a result, you must acquire a consistent supply of vitamin C from the consumption of food or supplements.

The immune system is significantly affected by vitamin C. It does this by promoting the synthesis of white blood cells and their function. Through its antioxidant properties, it helps protect cells from the daily damage that can lead to inflammation, a weakened immune system, and long-term health issues. 

Reasons Vitamin C Can Make You Feel Worse During a Cold

Vitamin C may help the body recover from colds. Although researchers haven’t fully determined whether it prevents infections, they do know that people with low vitamin C levels face a higher risk of infection.

In 1970, Linus Pauling, who later won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, popularized the original idea about vitamin C and colds. No serious studies were available at the time to confirm the claim. All of that has changed now. Supplementing with 20 milligrams or more of vitamin C did not reduce the likelihood of acquiring a cold, according to a review of 29 studies on the topic.

Taking vitamin C in the weeks leading up to a highly intense physical stress, such as running a marathon, has been shown in certain studies to reduce the risk of a cold by 50%. However, this benefit has not been observed in the general population.

In controlled studies, however, high-dose vitamin C, around six to eight grams per day, was shown to shorten the duration of colds in children and demonstrated a slight reduction in the length of colds in adults. It is significantly higher than the intended daily dose. Such large doses may not be suitable for everyone. 

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When Vitamin C Is More Likely to Help a Cold

A lack of vitamin C may impair the immune system. Immune cells contain a high concentration of vitamin C. When a person has a common cold, the body can quickly use up those stores.

One can boost their immune system by taking ascorbic acid daily. It can also give your body the support it needs to fight off the common cold. Your healthcare provider of urgent care services can recommend the appropriate amount of vitamin C.

In addition, ascorbic acid is an antioxidant. Within the skin, it can manufacture collagen, which is essential for skin maintenance. Additionally, it is necessary to thicken the skin, particularly when blowing one’s nose too frequently.

The skin on the nose can be strengthened by increasing collagen production with vitamin C, helping avoid discomfort and severe peeling.

Consuming ascorbic acid while suffering from a common cold can help reduce symptom severity and shorten the duration of the illness. If a person believes they are about to develop a cold, taking higher doses of this vitamin may be beneficial.

As a result, vitamin C reduced symptom duration by about half a day. Researchers also observed changes in chills, chest pain, and fever. 

When to Stop Vitamin C or Adjust Your Dose

Even though most experts regard vitamin C as safe, you should still listen to your body, especially when you’re sick. Increasing GI problems are among the main reasons for discontinuing or reducing supplement use. Excessive doses can cause stomach and intestinal irritation, leading to cramps, nausea, bloating, and diarrhea. If you notice this happening or your symptoms worsening after starting vitamin C, it may be a sign that you’re taking more than your body needs.

Additionally, some users experience throat irritation or acid reflux. Due to its acidic nature, vitamin C can exacerbate heartburn or induce a burning feeling in the chest or throat, especially in those who already have reflux. If reducing the dose or switching to a buffered form doesn’t ease your irritation, it may be best to give your body a break for a while. 

Who Should Be Extra Careful With High-Dose Vitamin C

Supplementing with vitamin C is not recommended for people with hemochromatosis, sickle cell disease, thalassemia, or G6PD deficiency. You should not take vitamins within 24 hours before or after angioplasty. Vitamin C supplements should be used carefully by patients with diabetes because they may raise blood glucose levels.

Patients with kidney stones or oxalate kidney disease should use vitamin C cautiously. Ascorbic acid’s acidification can increase the risk of cysteine, urate, and oxalate stones forming.

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Conclusion

It can be frightening to feel worse after using vitamin C for a cold. However, there is an explanation. Megadoses, over-acidic foods that can trigger sensitivity, and timing of use may temporarily compound symptoms. Most side effects are minor and resolve when the dosage is adjusted or the medication is discontinued.

For some people, vitamin C can help boost immune function, but it is not a miracle drug and does not replace rest, fluids, or medical attention when necessary. You can determine when to modify or discontinue supplements by paying attention to your body, especially for symptoms such as dehydration, reflux, or worsening gastrointestinal distress.