Abstract
Purpose: 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.
Data sources: 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 evidencebased
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.
Implications for practice: 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