Vitamin C supplementation and the common cold--was Linus Pauling right or wrong?

Vitamin C supplementation and common cold symptoms: problems with inaccurate reviews.

In 1971, Linus Pauling carried out a meta-analysis of four placebo-controlled trials and concluded that it was highly unlikely that the decrease in the "integrated morbidity of the common cold" in vitamin C groups was caused by chance alone (P < 0.00003). Studies carried out since then have consistently found that vitamin C (> or = 1 g/d) alleviates common cold symptoms, indicating that the vit...

Ascorbic Acid and the Common Cold Analysis of controlled studies shows ivith statistical significance that this vitamin has protective power

Hypothesis: Food for Thought

In 1971, Linus Pauling carried out a meta-analysis of four placebo-controlled trials and concluded that it was highly unlikely that the decrease in the "integrated morbidity of the common cold" in vitamin C groups was caused by chance alone (P < 0.00003). Studies carried out since then have consistently found that vitamin C (≥1 g/d) alleviates common cold symptoms, indicating that the vitamin d...

Early Evidence About Vitamin C And the Common Cold

For many years there has existed the popular belief that ascorbic acid has value in providing protection against the common cold and in ameliorating the manifestations of this viral disease. This belief has not, however, been generally shared by physicians, authorities on nutrition, and official bodies. I was puzzled by the contradiction between the popular belief and the official opinion, and ...

Vitamin C and the Common Cold

Introduction The controversy over vitamin C and orthomolecular medicine began with the publication of Linus Pauling's book, Vitamin C and the Common Cold. Since that time, a proportion ofthe population have been experimenting with high dose vitamin C, reflecting a belief in its efficacy as a treatment or preventative for this minor illness. However, some elements of conventional medicine contin...