I’m hearing a lot of misinformation these days on what could or could not help when it comes to the coronavirus and our health. Some folks are now saying that taking high doses of Vitamin C may be beneficial for curing or preventing COVID-19. Unfortunately, this is unfounded medical advice. No science backs up the claim that high doses of vitamin C can treat COVID-19. And I wish it wasn’t – people are anxious and scared. Our lives have been turned upside down and people are dying every day. So people are looking for something to keep them safe and prevent the coronavirus infection. I think this rumor got started because past trials showed 200 mg or more of vitamin C was helpful in reducing cold symptoms. It shortened the length of the cold and made symptoms less severe. But, these results were minimal. For adults, the cold length was shortened by 8%, and 14% for kids.
Vitamin C and COVID-19
That being said, researchers in China are looking into the effects of vitamin C on COVID-19. They’re evaluating the effect of vitamin C infusions on severe acute respiratory infections in patients already diagnosed with coronavirus. But, we’re a long way from anything conclusive. The study began in February 2020 and is expected to conclude in September. And, just because it’s being studied doesn’t mean the results will indicate vitamin C is effective for healing. In fact, past studies have had very different conclusions – so it’s a real possibility vitamin C will have no effect on COVID-19.
Should People Still Take Vitamin C?
In my opinion, I recommend getting your nutrients from food rather than supplements. Food and a healthy lifestyle are the best medicines we have. Combining a healthy diet with enough sleep and exercise boosts your immune system naturally. So, I recommend we focus on nutritious foods rather than falling prey to unfounded medical claims. Please don’t buy products claiming vitamin C will heal or protect you from the coronavirus. Instead, wash your hands often, stay 6 feet away from others, and disinfect commonly used surfaces. If you would like to take a vitamin C supplement, the recommended daily intake for men is 90 mg and 75 mg for women. High doses are not recommended since they can be harmful. They may cause side effects such as headache, abdominal cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, and insomnia. The highest recommended daily intake for adults is 2,000 mg.
