Vitamins are often a crucial part of staying healthy. But when sickness strikes, will vitamins help you battle symptoms better? It seems several studies have shown that taking vitamins with cold medicine can be beneficial in speeding up the healing process of a cold. Vitamins can provide essential nutrients to the body, as well as additional support during the healing process. Read on to learn more about whether vitamins can help when you are feeling under the weather.
Can taking vitamins with your cold medicine help?
Vitamins are in no way used to cure sicknesses and should not replace the intake of corresponding cold medications. But science shows there is merit in taking vitamins while you are sick to help you hasten the recovery process. In particular, several studies have been conducted to investigate the benefits of taking vitamin supplements to help with symptoms of the common cold.
One study found that vitamin C supplementation reduces the duration of colds by 8% in adults and 14% in children. But aside from taking vitamin C regularly for preventative purposes, therapeutic supplementation of vitamin C at the onset of cold symptoms also proved beneficial in some cases.
Other studies focused on the advantage of taking zinc supplements to improve symptoms of the common cold. A review of several studies found that taking zinc supplements after the onset of cold symptoms significantly helped reduce not only the duration but also the severity of the symptoms.
Treatment for the common cold
Supplementing with vitamins is just one way to help you resolve cold symptoms. When you catch a case of the cold, here are other things you should try to help you get better:
- Drink up. Make sure to stay hydrated by regularly drinking water. This helps you improve congestion and avoid dehydration. The recommended daily fluid intake is 15.5 cups or 3.7 liters for males and 11.5 cups or 2.7 liters for females.
- Try over-the-counter medicines that address cold symptoms. Medications containing nasal decongestants such phenylephrine HCl or phenylpropanolamine HCl may help you address stuffiness, while antihistamines such as chlorphenamine maleate help with symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and itchy or watery eyes. Some over-the-counter cold medications may also contain paracetamol to help address fever associated with the common cold.
- Rest. Taking a break and simply resting your body may also help you get better from your cold symptoms.
A case of the cold is a common experience for many. While it will pass, the symptoms can be bothersome and may hamper your day-to-day routine. With proper diet and exercise, taking vitamin supplements while continuously taking cold medications may speed up the process of recovery and help you get back to regular programming in no time.
General disclaimer
Your doctor will always be in the best position to give the appropriate medical advice for your condition. For suspected undesirable drug reaction, seek medical attention immediately and report to the FDA at www.fda.gov.ph and UNILAB, Inc. at 8-UNILAB-1 or productsafety@unilab.com.ph. Always buy your medicine from your trusted drugstores and retailers.
Sources:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23440782/
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/zinc/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8578211/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/in-depth/cold-remedies/art-20046403
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/147323001204000104
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256
