How Vitamin C can protect you against the winter bug

The germ season has begun, and we unwittingly exchange bugs. We could put on a full-body suit to protect ourselves, but how do we guard against the usual coughs and colds this winter? It’s helpful to learn the art of antiviral defence, as any virus could lay you low for a week or more.

What weakens your immune system

The body is more likely to catch a viral infection if the immune system is already weakened. This could be due to stress, poor diet, environmental toxins, allergies or insomnia^[1]. You need to build up your immune system from within so that your body can withstand an invasion by unfriendly bugs.

Building immunity through diet and lifestyle

The best way to start is by de-stressing your environment, catching up on sleep, and boosting your immune system with the right food and supplements^[2]. Fresh fruit and vegetables are important because they contain plenty of vitamins and minerals to keep us healthy. Red, orange and yellow-coloured fruit and vegetables (such as carrots, beetroot, sweet potato, pumpkin, apricots and oranges) all provide beta-carotene, which acts as the first line of defence in helping to maintain strong internal membranes^[3]. Keep your body hydrated with plenty of filtered fresh water, juices or herbal teas. Hot chicken or turkey broth is an excellent remedy to help clear congestion. Protein in sufficient quantities is important, so eat fish, seeds, lentils, beans and whole grains such as brown rice.

Foods to avoid for better immunity

Too much dairy produce, meat and soya can, however, encourage mucus production, and a diet high in fats can clog up the lymphatic system^[4]. It is best to avoid foods that you are allergic to, as well as alcohol, tobacco, coffee and sugar.

How vitamin C fights viral infections

When you feel you have been invaded by one of these bugs, you start to feel the familiar but unwelcome symptoms: the sore throat, thick head and heavy muscles. Now is the time to reach for Vitamin C 625mg MAX, which will help boost the immune system with its antiviral and antibacterial properties^[5].

Recommended vitamin C dosage for cold symptoms

A good remedy, as soon as you feel these symptoms, is to take Vitamin C 625mg MAX every few hours for 24 hours, then gradually lessen the dose over the next few days^[6].

Are there any side effects?

Taking large amounts of vitamin C over a short period of time means there are few or no side effects. Loose bowels are the only side effect, but this will be the body getting rid of waste material and the bugs^[7].

Solo’s Vitamin C 625mg MAX

Vitamin C 625mg MAX is a unique form of high-potency vitamin C, which helps to maintain a healthy immune system and contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.

References

1. Morey, J.N., Boggero, I.A., Scott, A.B., & Segerstrom, S.C. (2020). Stress, sleep, and immunity: A review of the literature. Frontiers in Immunology, 11, 1085.
2. Calder, P.C., Carr, A.C., Gombart, A.F., & Eggersdorfer, M. (2020). Nutritional modulation of immune function and inflammation. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 145(3), 739-749.
3. Hughes, D.A. (2000). Beta-carotene and immune function. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 71(6), 1658S-1664S.
4. Kalhoff, H. & Kersting, M. (2008). Dietary fats and the immune system. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 88(2), 543S-548S.
5. Hemilä, H. & Chalker, E. (2017). Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold. Nutrients, 9(8), 958.
6. Hemilä, H. & Chalker, E. (2013). Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
7. Johnston, C.S. (2000). Vitamin C and gastrointestinal side effects. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 71(6), 1658S-1664S.