TJ, Hi 
My understanding of the references you have posted are that for some people, in some circumstances, Vitamin C can have a positive impact on the onset and or duration of colds. Would that be an accurate summation?
Bike Forum
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why am i getting ill so much!?
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Posted 3 years ago #
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based on that test, I've never had flu. In fact when I had polio I'd have got the £20 note. If I'd been allowed out
Posted 3 years ago # -
Jojo - not the way I read it.
I would say that in occasional extreme circumstances (arctic warfare / polar exploration type stuff / soloing strathpuffer) there may be a slight benefit. for the vast majority of us in the circumstances we find ourselves in it is of no benefit and certainly there is no benefit in taking mega doses - no extra benefit was found with doses over 250mg / day and the evidence for any benefit is slight and contradictory anyway.
The cochrane review is probably the best as it is a metastudy.
""Authors' conclusions
The failure of vitamin C supplementation to reduce the incidence of colds in the normal population indicates that routine mega-dose prophylaxis is not rationally justified for community use. But evidence suggests that it could be justified in people exposed to brief periods of severe physical exercise or cold environments."
Posted 3 years ago # -
Vit C worked for me so I'm sticking to it.
Compared to my next door neighbour (Same age, two kids similar age at same school / nursery, similar lifestyle) who doesn't take Vit C - when we had the same bout of flu that lasted three weeks he was bed ridden for two weeks and I was only unable to get out of bed for a couple of days although the effects lasted for same period.
Not scientific but from my experience it gives me benefit so you can advise me of all the research you like but how do we know how reliable these studies are?
This is quite funny now - bit like which tyre for off road riding - which vitamins for less illness - surely depends on your circumstances / situation!!!
Posted 3 years ago # -
I find Vitamin B helps with general lethargy and run-downness...
Posted 3 years ago # -
Vit C worked for me so I'm sticking to it
this is how primitive religions work
of course, there ARE no advanced ones...Posted 3 years ago # -
Bushwhacked - you did not have flu. Factamundo. You had manflu / viral infection. Flu is a serious illness that debilitates you for weeks
I think a huge metastudy by respected scientists is as near to proof as you can get.
Posted 3 years ago # -
"Flu is a serious illness that debilitates you for weeks"
thats not what it says on the nhs website. nor wikipedia. there are different types too. and i thought flu WAS a viral infection.
my symptoms were similar to bushwacked: completely wiped out for 3 days and could barely get out of bed, then drained of energy for the next 2 weeks.
i'm pretty sure this is whats called "flu". from here:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Flu/Pages/Introduction.aspx?url=Pages/What-is-it.aspx
"you should begin to feel much better within five to eight days"Posted 3 years ago # -
Flu is a viral infection of course. There is only usually one or two prevalent types each year but there are many many variations.
There are also many "flu like viruses" which would be my guess as to what you had as the symptoms you describe do not seem severe enough to be actual flu.
Of course everyone reacts differently to illness and diagnosis from internet descriptions is highly inaccurate.
"my symptoms were similar to bushwacked: completely wiped out for 3 days and could barely get out of bed, then drained of energy for the next 2 weeks."
sound s like a severe cold to me - not flu.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Considering the Doctor diagnosed it as Flu then I'd go with his opinion rather than your "jump to conclusion" diagnosis but thanks anyway Dr TJ.
Anyway - I was explaining the benefit of Vit C when used on myself not debating what I had...
Posted 3 years ago # -
Thanks for your clarification Jeremy.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Vit C worked for me so I'm sticking to it
I was unconvinced but now that I've seen actual anecdotal evidence I'm off to Boots to buy a barrow load of vitamin C.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Bushwhacked - I am a nurse not a doctor.
In 30 yrs in healthcare I have never had flu, never seen anyone get it and don't know anyone who has.
Loads of folk claim to have flu but very few have had it.
perhaps you did and your constitution allowed you to recover very quickly.
There is no real diagnostic test anyway for it - its a balance of probabilities after history diagnosis.
Posted 3 years ago # -
going back to a bit of route cause analysis, the original post asked why do they suffer more frequent bouts of sickness, and I'd guess that it will relate to the intensity of the exercise you undertake. you say you commute 20mins each way. I wonder if you are taking these 20mins at a relaxed pace (<80% max HR) or at a harder pace (>80% max HR) - and if the latter, then you will find your immune system is being suppressed due to frequent high physical efforts, without a good level of endurance/base workouts that help your body become prepared for the hard efforts.
Posted 3 years ago # -
"I am a nurse"
- Cue loads of "Meet the Parents" jokes....
Only messing - Not sure which health professional to believe then but anyway - as MisterT says perhaps doing too much is the root cause and the link I posted was very useful.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I like the TJ wiki facts tag - the thing is those reference I quoted are all respectable scientific publications - peer reviewed and so on I think.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Oh god - I'm actually finding myself agreeing with TJ. Is this an illness? Is there a link to a website I can check please?
Flu = rare - GPs are as bad as anyone for telling you you've got "flu" when you've got a bad cold. Makes people feel better about how crap they feel
Vit C = waste of time assuming you have a relatively healthy diet (doesn't stop me eating more oranges when I feel a cold coming on though)As for manflu - this completely different and VERY serious ;o)
Posted 3 years ago # -
does lager have vit c in it?
Posted 3 years ago # -
Yes, if you put a slice of lemon in it!
Healthy and nutritious!
Posted 3 years ago #
Topic Closed
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