Cold and flu season is here. Do vitamins actually work?
severity of their illness.
The global cold and flu supplements market size was valued at $13.85 billion in 2019. But what does the science say? We know that vitamins haven’t proven effective against COVID-19 but what about for other illnesses? Are there studies that show a benefit either for protection from virus-causing colds or a reduction in days being sick?
Zinc, Vitamin C and Vitamin D are the most studied of the “immunity boosting” supplements.
Fact check:Over-the-counter vitamins not proven to treat, prevent COVID-19
Doctor explains why it’s a bad idea.
A lot of my patients swear by echinacea and elderberry supplements in reducing severity of colds, but these are understudied. As with all medical treatment, while there is an observed benefit, we must be careful to not confuse correlation with causation until there are definitive scientific studies.
Unfortunately, none of the aforementioned supplements have demonstrated any effectiveness in either preventing or limiting the duration and severity of the covid-19 virus.
Bottom line: You can get most of your immune boosting vitamins from a diverse diet including fatty fish, meat, vegetables and fruit. Those who can’t get enough natural sunlight and are deficient in Vitamin D should consider supplementing in consult with their doctor. If you do get sick, sucking on zinc acetate lozenges could reduce the duration of illness. And remember, keeping up to date with vaccinations, staying hydrated, getting good sleep, practicing stress control and exercising daily should be the foundation of your immune system.
Does it actually work to lose weight?
Michael Daignault, MD, is a board-certified ER doctor in Los Angeles. He studied Global Health at Georgetown University and has a Medical Degree from Ben-Gurion University. He completed his residency training in emergency medicine at Lincoln Medical Center in the South Bronx. He is also a former United States Peace Corps Volunteer. Find him on Instagram @dr.daignault
Article source: https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/672751358/0/usatoday-lifetopstories~Cold-and-flu-season-is-here-Do-vitamins-actually-work/