Surviving the Cold and Flu Season: Vitamin C

Ever since Dr. Linus Pauling brought Vitamin C to the public arena, amazing things have been discovered about this vitamin. The first-and most important-thing to know about Vitamin C is that humans have to get if from food sources. We are one of the very few species of life that do not make our own vitamin C; along with tropical fish, guinea pigs, capybaras, some simians, and bats. All animal species that have lost the ability to synthesize this vitamin need supplementation to be healthy.

Vitamin C, also known as L-ascorbic acid or ascorbate, has an RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) of over 60mg daily but that is only to prevent deficiency diseases such as scurvy and cardiovascular disease. The Linus Pauling Institute initially recommended a daily intake of 2 grams daily (2,000mg) but Dr. Pauling recommended between 6 - 18 grams (6,000 - 18,000) for optimal health. This vast difference between the RDA and ODA (Optimal Dietary Allowance) spells the difference between disease and vital health.

Since vitamin C is water soluble, there is little worry of over-dosage causing problems other than gastro-intestinal irritation. There are several forms of ascorbic acid, from the straight chemical to the natural plant-form; all are considered equal by chemists. Buffered forms of the ascorbate are better tolerated by those who suffer gastro-intestinal upsets; the buffered form contains the ascorbic acid bound to a mineral. Ester-C© has been touted as lasting three times longer in the body and also being better absorbed but the Linus Pauling Institute reports that there is no evidence for such statements.

Smokers require about two or three times more ascorbic acid than non-smokers, due to the oxidative stress caused by smoking. Recreational drug users also require higher doses of vitamin C; especially those using Ecstasy (MDMA), which causes high amounts of free radicals and oxidative stress, causing neurotoxicity.

As far as the use of vitamin C to cure flu or colds, it is generally reported that the vitamin does not decrease duration but sometimes decreases severity of the infections. The key to using this vitamin in such cases is to increase the dose quickly when one first suspects an infection; keep supplementation at the current recommended dosage of 2,000mg daily and increase to between 6,000-20,000mg as needed. High dose vitamin C can cause diarrhea, so the dosage is best split up into at least four doses a day.

For severe cases of certain infections, intravenous high-dose vitamin C is given, quite effectively, and is considered chemotherapeutic at above 25 grams per session. Intravenous dosing does not result in diarrhea since the supplement is not traversing the intestines. For those who are in a weakened physical condition, vitamin C is usually given in the amount of 10 grams, along with B vitamins, zinc and other supplements, intravenously. This is commonly called "Myer's Cocktail" and is a great help to those suffering severe fatigue from the flu.

Beyond taking vitamin C supplementation of 2,000mg (2 grams) daily, it helps to have something like Emergen-C© powdered supplement handy. The trick to using vitamin C to ward off cold and flu has to do with prevention. Usually, by the time you realize you have the infection, it's too late. Take extra vitamin C at the very first hint of dizziness, sore throat or tickle, cough, runny nose, congestion or sudden fatigue. As they liked to say in those Old West movies: "Let's head 'em off at the pass!"