International Expert Research Progress
Recently, scientists from Australia and Finland conducted a systematic review study and found that for the average person, taking Vitamin C does not prevent the common cold. Three doctoral students from the University of Helsinki in Finland and their research team conducted this study. The researchers analyzed 23 experiments involving the general public and found that the participants who took Vitamin C were not less likely to catch a cold than those who took a placebo. At the same time, they noted that adults who took Vitamin C recovered faster from colds, but there was no difference for children.
Domestic Medical Expert Views
High-dose Vitamin C can enhance the ability of white blood cells in the blood to engulf bacteria and resist viruses, shortening the duration of a cold. Professor Yu also reminded that only high-dose Vitamin C can boost immunity, while a small dose (60-100 mg) only meets daily intake needs and cannot prevent or treat a cold. Patients with a body temperature over 38.5 degrees Celsius can take some fever-reducing medicine, but it is best to use it under a doctor's guidance.
Foods to Avoid When Taking Vitamin C
Pork Liver + Vitamin C
It is easily oxidized and destroyed by trace metal ions, especially copper ions. Pork liver is extremely rich in copper, containing about 2.6 mg of copper per 100 grams. If consumed with Vitamin C, the copper in pork liver can cause Vitamin C to lose its original biological function. Similarly, lamb liver and beef liver should not be consumed together.
Milk + Vitamin C
It is acidic and has strong reducing properties, making it easily oxidized. Milk is rich in Vitamin B2, which has certain oxidizing properties. When taken together, Vitamin C is easily oxidized by Vitamin B2, while Vitamin B2 is reduced. Both lose their effectiveness and fail to achieve the goal of supplementing vitamins.
Shellfish
Shellfish contain more arsenic compounds, but these compounds exist in a pentavalent form, which has little effect on the human body. However, if large amounts of Vitamin C are taken while consuming these arsenic-rich aquatic products, the pentavalent arsenic can be converted to trivalent arsenic. Trivalent arsenic is arsenic, and taking it can lead to poisoning. Therefore, do not take large amounts of Vitamin C when eating shellfish.
Small Methods to Prevent Colds
Step 1: Do postural breathing when encountering cold. When going out, if the weather changes suddenly and the clothes you are wearing are not enough to keep out the cold, do not hunch your body, as this makes it easier for cold to invade. Instead, immediately do postural breathing. The method is to raise both hands to the front of the abdomen and take deep breaths. While inhaling, imagine your limbs inhaling and slightly expand your arms outward. This can enhance your ability to resist cold and you will not feel cold.
Step 2: Rub the back of your neck when you feel cold. If the cold has already invaded your body and you feel chilly all over, rub the nape of your neck vigorously with your palms, 100 times for each hand. This will generally make you sweat, and sweating can prevent a cold.
Step 3: Rub with scallion, ginger, and salt for a cold. If you already feel like you are getting a cold, such as having sticky saliva and feeling unwell, then on the same night before bed, take 20 grams each of scallion white and ginger, and 3 grams of salt powder. Mash them together, wrap them in a gauze pad, and rub them in order over six areas: the front chest, back, palms, armpits, elbows, and soles of the feet. Then go to bed covered up. You will sweat slightly during the night and will feel better the next morning. However, be sure to protect yourself from the cold for two days to avoid a relapse.