Vitamin C may reduce severity of common cold

A survey published in Advances in Therapy indicates that
Ester-C vitamin supplements may reduce the severity of symptoms and
shorten the duration of the common cold.

A survey published in the latest issue of Advances in Therapy​ indicates that Ester-C vitamin supplements may reduce the severity of symptoms and shorten the duration of the common cold.

Ester-C ascorbate, produced by Zila Nutraceuticals, is a patented, natural form of vitamin C, included in a wide range of supplements, pharmaceuticals and functional foods.

"This is the first survey that shows vitamin C offers cold prevention when taken in the form of Ester-C ascorbate and used throughout the winter months,"​ said Peter Josling of the Herbal Health Centre in the United Kingdom and head of the research team that conducted the survey.

"Participants who took Ester-C supplements reported significantly fewer colds than the placebo group, their average length of full cold symptom suffering was significantly shorter and the worst colds of the Ester-C participants were also reported as significantly shorter,"​ Josling noted.

In addition, the Ester-C group reported a lower re-infection rate than the placebo group and the majority reported feeling better while taking Ester-C supplements. In the double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the authors conclude that the results show that Ester-C ascorbate acts as "a preventive measure, demonstrating accelerated relief, reduction in the severity of troublesome symptoms such as sneezing, cough and runny nose, recovery to full fitness, and a small but significant reduction in the total number of colds."

For the self-assessment survey, researchers used a double-blind methodology and divided 168 participants into two groups at random. For 60 days the Ester-C group took a 500 mg Ester-C supplement twice daily and the placebo group took a placebo pill twice daily.

The study was financed by Zila Nutraceuticals, a division of Zila​, which makes patented Ester-C branded products and Palmettx Saw Palmetto.

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