You may have heard conflicting information about the efficacy of vitamin C from friends, family or online searches. Does it help fight seasonal cold & flu? Do vitamin C supplements help any more than boosting dietary consumption? Well, here’s the deal: for the average person, taking extra vitamin C probably won’t keep you from getting sick—sorry! But that doesn’t mean you should skip it. On the contrary, vitamin C is actually crucial for your immune system, bones and skin, making it a top priority throughout the year. And while vitamin C may not keep you from getting sick in the first place, it can have an impact on that cold you’re fighting, especially when taken on a regular basis.
Here’s what the research says about vitamin C:
- It may prevent colds: But there’s a kicker. It only acts as a preventative in extreme situations. One study supplemented vitamin C in people performing intense exercise in severely cold weather and found that it prevented the common cold in about 50 percent of cases.
- It may reduce cold severity and duration—when taken early: To best tap into the immune benefits of vitamin C, studies suggest supplementing it (or eating foods high in vitamin C) before getting sick. Most studies recommended a daily dose of anywhere from 200 milligrams to 1000 milligrams—but generally not going above 2000 milligrams per day.
The takeaway? If your body is under a lot of stress, or if you’re worried about catching a cold or flu, consider taking action before you get sick by ramping up your vitamin C intake.
Vitamin C isn’t naturally produced in the human body, which means you need to consume it on a regular basis. To ensure you’re getting enough, you can go a few different routes:
- Take a supplement: If you’re short on time or groceries, one of the easiest ways to boost your intake of vitamin C is to pop a supplement. Sisu Ester-C® 600 has 600 milligrams of calcium ascorbate-form vitamin C, providing 24 hours of immune support. It also contains active vitamin C metabolites like threonate and furanone that intensify its absorption and enhance retention in white blood cells. Not to mention, it’s non-acidic and gentle on the stomach.
- Eat more fruits and veggies: A variety of different foods contain vitamin C. Some of the richest sources include guavas, sweet red and green peppers, oranges, strawberries and papayas.
- Drink your vitamin C: Tomato juice, orange juice and pink grapefruit juice are all high in vitamin C. Just check the label to see how much sugar you’re consuming in each glass, while also being cautious of digestive upset if you have problems with acidic foods.
Sisu’s Ester-C® 600 contains no dairy, wheat, gluten or soy and is suitable for vegans. Take one capsule once per day. For more information on the benefits, visit sisu.com
