To think that vitamin C and vitamins for immunity are a scam

[HowManyDucks]

I've had four horrible colds this year already. Its only April. I have a very healthy diet, rich in vitamin C (I have a kiwi everyday and at least one portion of broccoli, as well vitamin drinks etc). People have said to me "you'll probably fight it off faster", but no, seven days in (this morning is the worst!) and it is impossible to swallow, sinus headache and nose is running like a tap. I also have a sock one year old and a single mum so it's not much fun. Going to put my trainers on now for a run to try a sweat some of it out!

If you can run, you aren't very ill you just have a few symptoms from your immune system fighting off the bug. If you think having a healthy immune system = never getting a cold in the first place you don't understand basic immunology. Things like having thickenned mucus is not caused directly by the virus, it's caused by your body fighting off the virus. Congratulations you have a robust immune system.

Vitamins exist, your body needs them, you will get ill with deficiency issues, and be less able to fight off other illnesses, if you don't get them. That's proven science. Taking more than 100% of the rda isn't usually necessary and is unlikely to bring much benefit.

@HowManyDucks

Yes, as a couple of others have already said, be sure not to use high dose (or extra) vitamin supplements to create expensive urine for little benefit.

From my POV, add a couple more food sources, mostly fruits or vegetables which add to the Vitamin C load. Consider added onions, garlic, chives too.

As well, are you a daily or near daily exerciser? Some aerobic burn for your respiratory system? Pacey walking? Swimming? Bicycling? Stationary bike?

One great addition which will give an extra few percent immunity is a single echinacea tablet daily.

If your body is functioning well and you're eating well and you dress comfortably warm as the weather begins to chill, you're working for cold prevention.

Where I am, Australia, most people over 60 and everyone over 67 also qualifies for the annual fluvax. I have had 23 fluvaxes over the last 26 years and only one severe and one mild winter influenza (coincidentally in two of the years I missed booking in at the poly-clinic for my fluvax),

You have a small child and they are germ machines.

I have a strong immune system, plenty of vitamins etc. I also have a 3 year old at nursery. I get all sorts.

The difference is I can fight it off without much medical intervention (rarely need antibiotics for example), not that it will go away quickly. DH is the same, and this last one has been battering him for ten days. It's just hit me like a train and I know it's gonna be a rough one.

Sometimes, viruses are stronger. The fact you're healthy means you'll get rid of it but it won't be overnight.

And don't run when you're sinuses are blocked. If you can't breathe properly you're not circulating oxygen at the rate you need and so running will just make it take you longer to get rid.

I do know what you mean but I tell myself that if it’s this bad when I’m doing all the right things, think how much worse it would be if I wasn’t!

This.
If you exercise when you have a respiratory virus, you’re at greater risk of viral cardiomyopathy. It’s OK if you’re on the mend, but if you’re still feeling unwell you shouldn’t do it.

I take vitamin C and zinc every day and have done since I was a teenager and I hardly ever get a cold. I haven't had more than a mild sniffle since 2022 and I have a one year old.

I think they have benefits. I was feeling low mentally and physically for a long time, I start on daily pro-biotic, feel a big difference in energy levels and mood.

Did you lose a lot of blood when giving birth? Could you be anemic? Low iron totally ficks tour immune system. Also, as others have said, low vitamin d does the same. Everyone in the UK should take vitamin d from Oct through to march especially if you have darker skin.

Good point

Urghh...why so rude?

That was just a very factual post, there was nothing rude about it

This. My own GP told me more or less this. Also, veg is much more beneficial nutritionally than eating a lot of fruit.

I think this is the point I was trying to make, only you said it better!

Marketing for various health foods/drinks that claim to boost immunity, improve focus, etc. lead consumers to think that they will help prevent colds, improve health etc. When in reality, they only have an effect if you are deficient on the first place. Provided you don't have a medical condition, if you are eating a balanced diet you should be able to get all the nutrients you need without a supplement. Currently I'm getting cold after cold because I have a little germ machine and of course id love to find a product that prevents all the germs from entering my body or gives me super human strength to fight it off in 24 hours, however, it doesn't exist.

In my lived experience vits and supplements make a huge difference.
If I take vit c with zinc I get better so quickly. Especially if I have a tiny bit of milk with some fresh turmeric powder added to it.
That is just one example.

People bleat on about a full and varied diet. For many people that is unrealistic for them to get all the required optimal levels from their diet. Also for example I have thyroid issues and therefore my absorption rates are much lower for certain vitamins.

People swear by the vitamin c infusion

Because your OP makes you sound like an anti-science nutjob. Your following posts are slightly less unreasonable.

I'm not an anti science nutter. Opposite actually, I value science, vaccines and all the rest of it. I am anti marketing/consumerism and trying to hoodwink consumers into buying unnecessary crap with questionable science. 😅

It's not questionable to us tho -
Why don't you respect your opinions ?

*our

That's the placebo effect. It can be powerful

This doesn't make any sense.

vitamin supplements are helpful if you are not getting enough in your diet. If you don't have enough in your diet, you will have a weakened immune system and will get sick more easily and more often and often for longer. But having the right level of vitamins in your blood does not mean that you will avoid getting sick.

Also, with some colds/sinus things the reality is that the original infection can lurk for a very long time and result in what seem like reoccurrances. So it might be worth seeing a doctor to consider whether it's time for antibiotics, especially if it's in your sinuses.

Having said that, a kiwi a day and some vitamin drinks is not really sufficient. More important is a diet that is varied.

Rest is important when you’re unwell - maybe one reason you’re getting ill so much is you push yourself when you’re under the weather for eg going for a run now, which is a bad idea.

Even if placebo is true ultimately they still work right - because I get the intended outcome. Say thank you for just proving my point.

Eg. A person is unwell or wants to feel better they take supplements and whether due to the supplement or the placebo effect they get better. Job done.
And btw it's not placebo as when I have optimal bio markers it's when I've supplemented. But you do lol

*you