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Vitamin C for Colds & Flu

This study indicates that mega dose vitamin C therapy can help
prevent as well as therapeutically treat the symptoms of cold
and flu.

Doctors Gorton and Jarvis of Utah, USA, conducted a controlled
study to investigate the effect of mega dose vitamin C in
preventing and relieving cold and flu symptoms.

The investigators tracked the number of reports of cold and flu
symptoms for 1991 and compared the results with reports of like
symptoms for 1990.

A total of 715 students ages 18 to 32 years were divided into 2
groups.

The test group involved 252 students. When the test group
presented with symptoms, they were treated with hourly doses of
1000mg of vitamin C for the first 6 hours and then 3 times daily
thereafter. Those not presenting with any symptoms were given
1000mg dose of vitamin C 3 times a day.

The control group included 463 students. When they presented
with symptoms, they were treated with pain relievers and
decongestants.

The results of this study found that of the flu and cold
symptoms in the test group decreased by 85% compared to the
control group.

Vitamin C in mega doses administered before or after the
appearance of cold and flu symptoms relieved and prevented the
symptoms in the test group.

The authors also mention that, "for more than 30 years vitamin C
in megadose quantities has been recognized as an effective agent
against colds and flu. Nobel laureate Linus Pauling was an early
advocate of the treatment of colds and flu with vitamin C".

References
Gorton,HC and Jarvis,K. The effectiveness of vitamin C in
preventing and relieving the symptoms of virus-induced
respiratory infections. Journal of Manipulative and
Physiological Therapeutics. 1999;22(8):530-3