Examining the evidence for the use of vitamin C in the prophylaxis and treatment of the common cold.
OBJECTIVE
To present a critical evaluation of the current evidence concerning the therapeutic value of vitamin C for the prophylaxis and treatment of the common cold.


METHODS
Cochrane, PubMed, Natural Standard, and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine databases were searched to identify and acquire primary research reports, literature reviews, and secondary analyses related to the clinical objective. Published clinical trials, literature reviews, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews were evaluated for evidence-based practice implications.


CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin C is frequently used for the treatment and prophylaxis of the common cold; however, no published recommendations were found in a review of the nurse practitioner literature that specifically address the efficacy of vitamin C for the common cold. Our literature review revealed that vitamin C is not effective at preventing the common cold in the general adult population; however, it is effective at preventing colds when consumed regularly by athletes training in subarctic conditions. We also found that regular vitamin C consumption may reduce the duration of cold symptoms in both adults and children, but it does not decrease the severity of cold symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
NPs should counsel their patients that regular vitamin C consumption may decrease the duration of cold symptoms, but does not affect symptom severity or act as a prophylaxis.
Heimer
Kathryn A
KA
Laramie Reproductive Health, Laramie, Wyoming, USA.
Hart
Ann Marie
AM
Martin
Linda Gore
LG
Rubio-Wallace
Sherrie
S
D000328:Adult; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003139:Common Cold / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D012107:Research Design; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014815:Vitamins; D001205:Ascorbic Acid