Ascorbic Acid and the Common Cold: Evaluation of Its Efficacy and Toxicity
Abstract
We reviewed the clinical data relating to the efficacy and safety of pharmacologic doses of ascorbic acid in the prevention and treatment of the common cold. Although one study tentatively supports the hypothesis that such doses of ascorbic acid may be efficacious, a second study by the same group did not confirm the significant findings, and no clear, reproducible pattern of efficacy has emerged from the review of all the evidence. Similarly, there is currently little adequate evidence on either the presence or the absence of serious adverse reactions to such doses of ascorbic acid, although many such reactions have been hypothesized. The unrestricted use of ascorbic acid for these purposes cannot be advocated on the basis of the evidence currently available. (JAMA231:1073-1079, 1975)
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Speculation about the potential harm of large doses of vitamin C has been shown to be unfounded.
“Although there has been speculation about the potential harm of large doses, it has been shown to be unfounded (Dykes 1975; Hemilä 2006a).”
From Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold (2013) · cites this paper as Dykes 1975
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- Authors
- Dykes, M. H. M.
- Corresponding author
- Dykes, Michael H. M.
- Venue
- JAMA
- Publisher
- American Medical Association (AMA)
- Published
- 1975-03-10
- Volume
- 231
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 1073
- ISSN
- 0002-9955 (ISSN-L)
- 0098-7484
- OpenAlex
- W4297631595
- Cited by
- 62
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 1 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 4.56
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- JAMA (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Vitamin C and Antioxidants Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Respiratory viral infections research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Herbal Medicine Research Studies
- Keywords
- vitamin C, common cold, cold prevention, cold treatment, efficacy, adverse effects, evidence review
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