ascorbic-acid and Respiratory-Tract-Infections

Respiratory tract infections are a primary cause of illness and mortality over the world.. This study was aimed to investigate the effectiveness of vitamin C supplementation in preventing and treating respiratory tract infections.. We used the Cochrane, PubMed, and MEDLINE Ovid databases to conduct our search. The inclusion criteria were placebo-controlled trials. Random effects meta-analyses were performed to measure the pooled effects of vitamin C supplementation on the incidence, severity, and duration of respiratory illness.. We found ten studies that met our inclusion criteria out of a total of 2758. The pooled risk ratio (RR) of developing respiratory illness when taking vitamin C regularly across the study period was 0.94 (with a 95% confidence interval of 0.87 to 1.01) which found that supplementing with vitamin C lowers the occurrence of illness. This effect, however, was statistically insignificant (P= 0.09). This study showed that vitamin C supplementation had no consistent effect on the severity of respiratory illness (SMD 0.14, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.30: I2 = 22%, P=0.09). However, our study revealed that vitamin C group had a considerably shorter duration of respiratory infection (SMD -0.36, 95% CI -0.62 to -0.09, P = 0.01).. Benefits of normal vitamin C supplementation for reducing the duration of respiratory tract illness were supported by our meta-analysis findings. Since few trials have examined the effects of therapeutic supplementation, further research is needed in this area.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Incidence; Respiratory Tract Infections; Vitamins

There are limited proven therapies for COVID-19. Vitamin C's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects make it a potential therapeutic candidate, both for the prevention and amelioration of COVID-19 infection, and as an adjunctive therapy in the critical care of COVID-19. This literature review focuses on vitamin C deficiency in respiratory infections, including COVID-19, and the mechanisms of action in infectious disease, including support of the stress response, its role in preventing and treating colds and pneumonia, and its role in treating sepsis and COVID-19. The evidence to date indicates that oral vitamin C (2-8 g/day) may reduce the incidence and duration of respiratory infections and intravenous vitamin C (6-24 g/day) has been shown to reduce mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stays, and time on mechanical ventilation for severe respiratory infections. Further trials are urgently warranted. Given the favourable safety profile and low cost of vitamin C, and the frequency of vitamin C deficiency in respiratory infections, it may be worthwhile testing patients' vitamin C status and treating them accordingly with intravenous administration within ICUs and oral administration in hospitalised persons with COVID-19.

Topics: Administration, Intravenous; Administration, Oral; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; COVID-19; COVID-19 Drug Treatment; Critical Care; Hospitalization; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Intensive Care Units; Nutritional Status; Pandemics; Respiration, Artificial; Respiratory Tract Infections; SARS-CoV-2; Sepsis; Vitamins

Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is a common infection in children, generally caused by viral respiratory infection. Vitamin C is currently proposed as prophylaxis for URTI. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of vitamin C administration in children for the prevention and reduced duration of URTI through a systematic literature review.. Review of the literature conducted between October 2017 and January 2018 in the main medical databases (CENTRAL, Medline and Embase) and by a gray literature approach. The selection criteria were: double-blind randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing vitamin C use to placebo in children aged 3 months to 18 years without chronic infection. Efficacy was assessed in terms of incidence, duration and severity of symptoms of URTI. A meta-analysis was conducted where possible.. Eight RCTs, including 3135 children aged 3 months to 18 years, were selected. Quantitative analysis showed no difference between vitamin C administration and placebo (odds ratio = 0.75, 95% CI [0.54-1.03], p = 0.07, I. Although no preventive effects were found, vitamin C intake reduced the duration of URTI. Considering the frequency of URTI, the inappropriate prescription of antibiotics, and the safe nature of vitamin C, its supplementation is justified, especially in children under 6 years of age and those who present a high frequency of URTI. There is a sound rationale for further trials with greater statistical power among children of this age.

Topics: Adolescent; Age Factors; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Tract Infections

Because of its high prevalence acute respiratory diseases have a significant impact on the population. The focus of this review was the current state of knowledge for the prophylactic efficacy of: zinc, vitamin C, Echinacea preparations, garlic and carrying out physical measures. Furthermore, the benefits of pneumococcal and influenza vaccine were elicited. In the synopsis, the physical measures proved to be the most effective, cost-effective method to prevent infections. The intake of zinc, Echinacea preparations (for example: E. purpurea), vitamin C and garlic showed moderate success in the prevention of infection and must be elicited individually. Pneumococcal and annual influenza vaccines in family practice should be given furthermore accordingly topical STIKO-recommendation. Nevertheless, the prophylactic effect from influenza vaccines on usual cold illnesses is unsettled.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Echinacea; Humans; Influenza Vaccines; Plant Extracts; Pneumococcal Vaccines; Respiratory Tract Infections; Zinc

Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Bacterial Vaccines; Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Phytotherapy; Respiratory Tract Infections; Treatment Outcome; Viral Vaccines; Zinc

The role of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in the prevention and treatment of the common cold has been a subject of controversy for 60 years, but is widely sold and used as both a preventive and therapeutic agent.. To discover whether oral doses of 0.2 g or more daily of vitamin C reduces the incidence, duration or severity of the common cold when used either as continuous prophylaxis or after the onset of symptoms.. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 4, 2006); MEDLINE (1966 to December 2006); and EMBASE (1990 to December 2006).. Papers were excluded if a dose less than 0.2 g per day of vitamin C was used, or if there was no placebo comparison.. Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed trial quality. 'Incidence' of colds during prophylaxis was assessed as the proportion of participants experiencing one or more colds during the study period. 'Duration' was the mean days of illness of cold episodes.. Thirty trial comparisons involving 11,350 study participants contributed to the meta-analysis on the relative risk (RR) of developing a cold whilst taking prophylactic vitamin C. The pooled RR was 0.96 (95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.92 to 1.00). A subgroup of six trials involving a total of 642 marathon runners, skiers, and soldiers on sub-arctic exercises reported a pooled RR of 0.50 (95% CI 0.38 to 0.66). Thirty comparisons involving 9676 respiratory episodes contributed to a meta-analysis on common cold duration during prophylaxis. A consistent benefit was observed, representing a reduction in cold duration of 8% (95% CI 3% to 13%) for adults and 13.6% (95% CI 5% to 22%) for children. Seven trial comparisons involving 3294 respiratory episodes contributed to the meta-analysis of cold duration during therapy with vitamin C initiated after the onset of symptoms. No significant differences from placebo were seen. Four trial comparisons involving 2753 respiratory episodes contributed to the meta-analysis of cold severity during therapy and no significant differences from placebo were seen.. 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.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Ascorbic Acid; Common Cold; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Tract Infections

To review the seven Cochrane reviews of non-antibiotic treatment for the common cold.. Each Cochrane review was read and summarized, and results presented as relative risks and, where possible, numbers needed to treat.. The main theme that runs through these Cochrane reviews is the variable quality of the primary studies. In general, the reviewers are fairly cautious about the benefits of any of the treatments other than first-dose decongestants and antihistamine-decongestant combinations. For antihistamines alone, the reviewers were clear about the lack of efficacy except in the high-quality studies in which a global improvement in symptoms was noted. Some studies were statistically significant, but the Cochrane reviewers were guarded about how clinically significant they were. For Echinacea, problems were found with the quality of the studies and the wide range of different forms of this substance. Heated humidified air seemed to be effective in the UK and Israel, but not the USA, making definitive statements about efficacy difficult. Over-the-counter medication for cough seemed to have no documented benefit in children under the age of 5 years. Letosteine (a mucolytic) may be effective in children but is not available in the UK. Bisolvon (a mucolytic) was found to be effective for cough in only one study. For older children and adults, dextromethorphan may be effective (two out of three studies showed benefit), and guiafenesin (an expectorant) showed mixed benefit in two trials. Dexbrompheniramine (a sedating antihistamine)/pseudoephedrine (6 mg/120 mg twice daily for 1 week) was significantly more effective than placebo for severity of cough, whereas, in another study, loratadine (a non-sedating antihistamine)/pseudoephedrine (5 mg/120 mg twice daily for 4 days) did not show any difference between the study groups. Vitamin C may have a small role in preventing the common cold, with possibly a greater role in high-intensity physical activity and sub-arctic conditions. Zinc lozenges seemed to be effective, but the issue of unblinding due to taste was a methodological issue of concern to the reviewers. The benefits and harms are calculated as numbers needed to treat for one person to benefit (NNTB) and numbers needed to treat for one person to harm (NNTH), and were calculated by the author.. Most non-antibiotic treatments for the common cold are probably not effective. The most promising are dextromethorphan, bisolvon and guiaphenesin for cough, antihistamine-decongestant combinations for a wide range of symptoms, nasal decongestants (at least for the first dose) and possibly zinc lozenges.

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Common Cold; Echinacea; Evidence-Based Medicine; Histamine H1 Antagonists; Hot Temperature; Humans; Humidity; Nasal Decongestants; Nonprescription Drugs; Phytotherapy; Placebos; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Tract Infections; Zinc

The role of oral vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in the prevention and treatment of the common cold has been a subject of controversy for at least sixty years. Public interest in the topic continues to be high and vitamin C continues to be widely sold and used as a preventive and therapeutic agent for this common ailment.. To discover whether oral vitamin C in doses of 200 mg or more daily, reduces the incidence, duration or severity of the common cold when used either as continuous prophylaxis or after the onset of cold symptoms.. This updated review added to earlier searches, a full search of the following electronic databases: the Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 2, 2004); MEDLINE (January 1966 to June 2004); and EMBASE (1990 to June 2004).. Papers were excluded if a dose less than 200 mg daily of vitamin C was used; if there was no placebo comparison; if methods of outcome assessment were inadequately described; and if the report did not record any of the three study outcomes (incidence, duration or severity) in sufficient detail to enter into the meta-analysis. Three criteria of study quality were assessed: Jadad scores, placebo distinguish-ability, and allocation concealment.. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed trial quality. 'Incidence' of colds during prophylaxis was assessed as the proportion of participants experiencing one or more colds during the study period. 'Duration' was the mean days of illness of cold episodes and 'severity' of these episodes was assessed by days confined indoors, off work or school. or by symptom severity scores.. Twenty-nine trial comparisons involving 11,077 study participants contributed to the meta-analysis on the relative risk (RR) of developing a cold while taking prophylaxis. The pooled RR was 0.96 (95% CI 0.92 to 1.00). A subgroup of six trials that involved a total of 642 marathon runners, skiers, and soldiers on sub-arctic exercises reported a pooled RR of 0.50 (95%CI 0.38 to 0.66). Thirty comparisons that involved 9,676 respiratory episodes contributed to the meta-analysis on common cold duration during prophylaxis . A consistent benefit was observed, representing a reduction in cold duration of 8% (95% CI 3% to 13%) for adult participants and 13.5% (95% CI 5% to 21%) for child participants. Fifteen trial comparisons that involved 7,045 respiratory episodes contributed to the meta-analysis of severity of episodes experienced while on prophylaxis. The pooled results revealed a difference favouring those on vitamin C when days confined to home and off work or school were taken as a measure of severity (p = 0.02), and when restricting to studies which used symptom severity scores (p = 0.16), and for the both measures of severity combined (p = 0.004). Seven trial comparisons that involved 3,294 respiratory episodes contributed to the meta-analysis of cold duration during therapy with vitamin C that was initiated after the onset of cold symptoms, and no significant difference from placebo was seen. Four trial comparisons that involved 2,753 respiratory episodes, contributed to the meta-analysis of cold severity during therapy and no significant difference from placebo was seen.In laboratory studies, differing methods of artificial transmission of virus to vitamin C or placebo treated volunteers in residential experiments gave different results. Volunteers infected by nasal installation showed small or no benefit from vitamin C, whereas a group who were infected more naturally, reported less severe symptom severity scores (p = 0.04).. 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 shows that it could be justified in persons exposed to brief periods of severe physical exercise and/or cold environments. Also, the consistent and statistically significant small benefits on duration and severity for those using regular vitamin C prophylaxis indicates that vitamin C plays some role in respiratory defence mechanisms. The trials in which vitamin C was introduced at the onset of colds as therapy did not show any benefit in doses up to 4 grams daily, but one large trial reported equivocal benefit from an 8 gram therapeutic dose at onset of symptoms.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Ascorbic Acid; Common Cold; Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections

In this review, the vitamin C trials with military personnel and with other subjects living under conditions comparable to those of military recruits are analyzed to find out whether vitamin C supplementation affects respiratory infections. For this systematic review, we identified seven trials with military personnel, three trials with students in crowded lodgings, and two trials with marathon runners. Eight of these trials were double blind and placebo controlled and seven were randomized. Five small trials found a statistically significant 45 to 91% reduction in common cold incidence in the vitamin C group. These trials were short and the participants were under heavy exertion during the trial. Furthermore, three other trials found a statistically significant 80 to 100% reduction in the incidence of pneumonia in the vitamin C group. The large number of positive findings seems to warrant further consideration of the role of vitamin C in respiratory infections, particularly in military recruits.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Incidence; Military Personnel; Respiratory Tract Infections; Risk Factors; United States

Topics: Adrenergic beta-Agonists; Anti-Infective Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Echinacea; Histamine H1 Antagonists; Humans; Nasal Decongestants; Phytotherapy; Respiratory Tract Infections; Zinc

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Common Cold; Echinacea; Histamine H1 Antagonists; Humans; Nasal Decongestants; Phytotherapy; Plant Preparations; Respiratory Tract Infections; Zinc

Topics: Acute Disease; Algorithms; Analgesics; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Ascorbic Acid; Drug Therapy, Combination; Drug Utilization; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Respiratory Tract Infections; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Outcome

The role of oral ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in the prevention and treatment of colds remains controversial despite many controlled trials. There have also been a number of efforts to synthesize and/or overview the results of these trials, and controversy over what these overviews tell us.. The objective of this review was to answer the following two questions: (1) Does regular high dosage supplementation with vitamin C reduce the incidence of colds? (2) Does taking vitamin C in high doses at the onset of a cold have a therapeutic effect?. This review currently deals only with published trials from two previously published reviews by Kleijnen 1989 and Hemila 1992.. Randomised and non-randomised trials of vitamin C taken to prevent or treat the common cold.. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed trial quality.. Thirty trials were included. The quality of the included trials was variable. Vitamin C in doses as high as one gram daily for several winter months, had no consistent beneficial effect on incidence of the common cold. For both preventive and therapeutic trials, there was a consistently beneficial but generally modest therapeutic effect on duration of cold symptoms. This effect was variable, ranging from -0.07% to a 39% reduction in symptom days. The weighted difference across all of the studies revealed a reduction of a little less than half a symptom day per cold episode, representing an 8% to 9% reduction in symptom days. There was no clear indication of the relative benefits of different regimes or vitamin C doses. However in trials that tested vitamin C after cold symptoms occurred, there was some evidence that a large dose produced greater benefits than lower doses.. Long term daily supplementation with vitamin C in large doses daily does not appear to prevent colds. There appears to be a modest benefit in reducing duration of cold symptoms from ingestion of relatively high doses of vitamin C. The relation of dose to therapeutic benefit needs further exploration.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Ascorbic Acid; Common Cold; Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections

This paper reviews the recent literature on the chronic effects of exercise training on immune function in humans. There is a general perception by athletes and other physically active individuals that regular moderate activity enhances, whereas intense exercise suppresses, resistance to minor illnesses such as upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). This perception is supported by epidemiological data in endurance athletes and limited data from intervention studies using moderate exercise in previously untrained individuals. The apparently high incidence of URTI among endurance athletes has prompted interest the relationship between chronic exercise training and immune function. Whereas immune cell number is generally normal during intense exercise training, recent evidence suggests that prolonged periods of intense training may lead to slight impairment in immune parameters such as neutrophil function, serum and mucosal immunoglobulin levels, plasma glutamine concentration, and possibly natural killer cell cytotoxic activity. In contrast. moderate exercise training has either no effect on, or may stimulate, these immune parameters.. Whereas athletes are not clinically immune deficient, it is possible that the combined effects of small changes in several immune parameters may compromise resistance to minor illnesses such as URTI. Strategies to prevent URTI in athletes include avoiding overtraining, providing adequate rest and recovery during the training cycle and after competition, limiting exposure to sources of infection, ensuring adequate nutrition, and possibly vitamin C supplementation. It is uncertain at present whether moderate exercise training is helpful in preventing infectious illness among the wider population.

Topics: Antibody Formation; Ascorbic Acid; Exercise; Humans; Immunity, Cellular; Nutritional Status; Physical Endurance; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sports

So far over 60 studies have examined the effects of vitamin C on the common cold. No effect on common cold incidence was observed in the six largest studies, indicating that vitamin C has no preventive effects in normally nourished subjects in the Western countries. There are, however, smaller studies reporting benefit. In three trials of subjects under heavy acute physical stress, common cold incidence decreased by on average 50%, and in four trials of British males common cold incidence decreased by on average 30% in the vitamin C groups. The dietary vitamin C intake in the UK is low, and consequently the benefit may be due to the correction of marginal deficiency, rather than high vitamin doses. Regular vitamin C supplementation (> or =1 g/day) has quite consistently reduced the duration of colds, but the size of the benefit has varied greatly. In the four largest studies the duration of colds was reduced only by 5%. In two of these studies, however, absence from school and work was reduced by 14-21% per episode, which may have practical importance. Three controlled studies recorded a reduction of at least 80% in the incidence of pneumonia in the vitamin C group, and one randomised trial reported substantial treatment benefit from vitamin C in elderly UK patients hospitalized with pneumonia or bronchitis. It seems that the preventive effects of supplementation are mainly limited to subjects with low dietary vitamin C intake, but therapeutic effects may occur in wider population groups. Further carefully designed trials are needed to explore the effects of vitamin C.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Common Cold; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Incidence; Respiratory Tract Infections; Treatment Outcome; United Kingdom

The literature reveals a paradoxical response of the immune and host defense systems to endurance exercise apparent stimulation following long-term regular training and suppression in response to acute exposure to exhaustive endurance exercise. Several epidemiological surveys have confirmed a clinical manifestation of immunosuppression in the form of increased incidence of upper respiratory tract infection symptoms following participation in competitive marathon and ultramarathon running events. Prerace training status and racing intensity have been related to the incidence of this symptomatology during the postrace fortnight. Nutritional intervention studies have shown the antioxidant nutrient, vitamin C, to be effective in reducing the incidence of upper respiratory tract infection symptoms following competitive distance events. Laboratory studies have revealed this vitamin to be the first line of defense in neutralizing the auto-oxidative activity of phagocytes. It is hypothesized that exercise-induced neuroendocrine stimulation of the oxidative burst in neutrophils increases the rate of release of reactive oxygen species and that these are, in turn, neutralized by high plasma ascorbate levels. Enhancing intrinsic antioxidant defense by increasing exogenous antioxidant intake is thus theorized to be of long-term benefit to serious endurance athletes engaged in heavy training and competition.

Topics: Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Exercise; Free Radicals; Humans; Immune Tolerance; Neutrophils; Physical Endurance; Respiratory Tract Infections; Stress, Psychological

Moderate submaximal exercise results in neutrophilia and enhanced phagocytic and oxidative capacity of neutrophils. It has been hypothesized, however, that during intensive exercise and periods of intensive training this pro-oxidative effect becomes suppressive. Vitamin C is widely recognized for its antioxidant function in extracellular fluid, and it has been shown to neutralize O2-, HOCl, and .OH and to attenuate the suppression of phagocytic function. Clinical manifestation of reduced neutrophil function following participation in ultramarathon races has, however, not been observed. Although neutrophils constitute 50-60% of leukocytes and although they are the first line of defense to bacteriological invasion, postrace episodes of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) are not correlated with a decrement in the function of this individual parameter of immune function. The efficacy of Vitamin C supplements in reducing the incidence of postrace URTI symptoms, therefore, cannot be fully explained at this stage.

Topics: Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Clinical Trials as Topic; Disease Susceptibility; Humans; Immunity, Cellular; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes; Incidence; Leukocyte Count; Neutrophils; Phagocytosis; Respiratory Burst; Respiratory Tract Infections; Risk; Running

Nonspecific enhancers of resistance may include (1) viral interference, (2) interferon, (3) interferon inducers, (4) bacterial interference, (5) bacterial products such as Coley's "toxins," endotoxins, or staphylococcal, BCG, and Corynebacterium parvum vaccines, (6) transfer factor, and (7) well-defined chemicals such as dinitrochlorbenzene, levamisole, and vitamin C. These are discussed only as they have been applied to man to learn whether or not they have enhanced his ability to resist infections and growth of tumors. Preliminary studies suggest that a variety of relatively safe and effective nonspecific enhancers may soon be available for clinical use.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Bacteria; BCG Vaccine; Dinitrochlorobenzene; Endotoxins; Humans; Immunity; Immunity, Cellular; Interferon Inducers; Interferons; Levamisole; Melanoma; Mice; Propionibacterium acnes; Rats; Respiratory Tract Infections; Skin Neoplasms; Staphylococcal Vaccines; Transfer Factor; Viral Interference

Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Clinical Trials as Topic; Common Cold; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Humans; Male; Placebos; Respiratory Tract Infections; Time Factors

Topics: Adult; Amantadine; Animals; Antiviral Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral; DNA, Viral; Fusidic Acid; Guanidines; Humans; Infant; Interferons; Isoquinolines; Middle Aged; Respiratory Tract Infections; RNA, Viral; Streptococcal Infections; Virus Cultivation; Virus Diseases; Viruses

Topics: Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Ascorbic Acid; Biomarkers; Child Development; Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Child, Preschool; Cucumis sativus; Female; Food, Fortified; Humans; India; Inflammation Mediators; Iron; Iron Deficiencies; Male; Micronutrients; Musa; Neuropsychological Tests; Nutritional Status; Prevalence; Psidium; Respiratory Tract Infections

The aim of this study was to demonstrate whether supplementation of vitamin C has a beneficial effect in the prevention of recurrent respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in children. Moreover, we evaluate the main risk factors that predispose to the development of this disease.. Sixty children have been enrolled in the study and randomized into two groups: the control group (G1 N.=33) and the group at risk of recurrent RTIs (G2 N.=27). To G2 group was administered every day 100% orange juice with the content of vitamin C 70 mg.. Significant reduction in the incidence rate of RTIs (episodes pre-treatment: 182-6.75 episodes/child, after-treatment: 71-2.62 episodes/child, P<0.05), were observed in G2 group.. The administration of vitamin C had a beneficial effect in our group of children with recurrent RTIs, reducing the number of infective episodes.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Male; Recurrence; Respiratory Tract Infections; Risk Factors; Vitamins

This pilot study investigates the efficacy of a probiotic consortium (Lab4) in combination with vitamin C on the prevention of respiratory tract infections in children attending preschool facilities.. In a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled pilot study with children aged 3-6 years, 57 received 1.25 × 10(10) colony-forming units of Lactobacillus acidophilus CUL21 (NCIMB 30156), Lactobacillus acidophilus CUL60 (NCIMB 30157), Bifidobacterium bifidum CUL20 (NCIMB 30153) and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CUL34 (NCIMB 30172) plus 50 mg vitamin C or a placebo daily for 6 months.. Significant reductions in the incidence rate of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI; 33%, P=0.002), the number of days with URTI symptoms (mean difference: -21.0, 95% confidence interval (CI):-35.9, -6.0, P=0.006) and the incidence rate of absence from preschool (30%, P=0.007) were observed in the active group compared with the placebo. The number of days of use of antibiotics, painkillers, cough medicine or nasal sprays was lower in the active group and reached significance for use of cough medicine (mean difference: -6.6, 95% CI: -12.9, -0.3, P=0.040). No significant differences were observed in the incidence rate ratio or duration of lower respiratory tract infection or in the levels of plasma cytokines, salivary immunoglobulin A or urinary metabolites.. Supplementation with a probiotic/vitamin C combination may be beneficial in the prevention and management of URTIs.

Topics: Absenteeism; Antitussive Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Bifidobacterium; Child, Preschool; Cough; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Incidence; Lactobacillus acidophilus; Male; Pilot Projects; Probiotics; Respiratory Tract Infections; Schools; Vitamins

In the elderly, immunosenescence and malnourishment can contribute to increased risk and severity of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI). Gold kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis 'Hort16A') contains nutrients important for immune function and mitigation of symptoms of infection, including vitamins C and E, folate, polyphenols and carotenoids. The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether regular consumption of gold kiwifruit reduces symptoms of URTI in older people, and determine the effect it has on plasma antioxidants, and markers of oxidative stress, inflammation and immune function. A total of thirty-two community-dwelling people (≥65 years) participated in a randomised crossover study, consuming the equivalent of four kiwifruit or two bananas daily for 4 weeks, with treatments separated by a 4-week washout period. Participants completed the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey-21 daily, and blood samples were collected at baseline and at the end of each treatment and washout period. Gold kiwifruit did not significantly reduce the overall incidence of URTI compared with banana, but significantly reduced the severity and duration of head congestion, and the duration of sore throat. Gold kiwifruit significantly increased plasma vitamin C, α-tocopherol and lutein/zeaxanthin concentrations, and erythrocyte folate concentrations, and significantly reduced plasma lipid peroxidation. No changes to innate immune function (natural killer cell activity, phagocytosis) or inflammation markers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, homocysteine) were detected. Consumption of gold kiwifruit enhanced the concentrations of several dietary plasma analytes, which may contribute to reduced duration and severity of selected URTI symptoms, offering a novel tool for reducing the burden of URTI in older individuals.

Topics: Actinidia; Aged; Aging; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Biomarkers; Cross-Over Studies; Erythrocytes; Female; Folic Acid; Fruit; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Incidence; Lipid Peroxidation; Male; New Zealand; Oxidative Stress; Pigmentation; Pilot Projects; Respiratory Tract Infections; Severity of Illness Index

The risk of upper respiratory infections (URIs) is increased in people who are under heavy physical stress, including recreational and competitive swimmers. Additional treatment options are needed, especially in the younger age group. The aim of this study was to determine whether 1 g/day vitamin C supplementation affects the rate, length, or severity of URIs in adolescent swimmers. We carried out a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial during three winter months, among 39 competitive young swimmers (mean age 13.8 ± 1.6 years) in Jerusalem, Israel. Vitamin C had no effect on the incidence of URIs (rate ratio = 1.01; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.70-1.46). The duration of respiratory infections was 22% shorter in vitamin C group, but the difference was not statistically significant. However, we found a significant interaction between vitamin C effect and sex, so that vitamin C shortened the duration of infections in male swimmers by 47% (95% CI: -80% to -14%), but had no effect on female swimmers (difference in duration: +17%; 95% CI: -38% to +71%). The effect of vitamin C on the severity of URIs was also different between male and female swimmers, so that vitamin C was beneficial for males, but not for females. Our study indicates that vitamin C does not affect the rate of respiratory infections in competitive swimmers. Nevertheless, we found that vitamin C decreased the duration and severity of respiratory infections in male swimmers, but not in females. This finding warrants further research.

Topics: Adolescent; Ascorbic Acid; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Incidence; Israel; Male; Respiratory Tract Infections; Severity of Illness Index; Sex Factors; Swimming; Treatment Outcome

Upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) frequently cause exacerbations of chronic-obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Stimulation of the innate immune system may provide an early defence against such infections. The objective of this study was to determine whether Echinacea purpurea (EP) along with micronutrients may alleviate COPD exacerbations caused by acute URTI.. This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in COPD patients with acute URTI. Patients were given ciprofloxacin for 7 days and additionally one tablet per day of EP, of EP along with zinc, selenium and ascorbic acid (EP+), or of placebo until day 14. Serum levels of TNF α and interleukins 1β, 6 and 10 were measured before and after treatment. Until week 4 post-end of treatment, all patients had to daily report on COPD symptoms in diaries.. In total, 108 mostly male patients with a mean age of 65·8 years (40-81 years) were enrolled. Patients of the three treatment arms did not vary significantly in baseline characteristics. EP+, but not EP resulted in significantly less severe and shorter exacerbation episodes following URTI as compared with placebo suggesting a synergistic effect of Echinacea and micronutrients. Large variations in biomarkers in-between and within groups were unrelated to treatment. Study medication was safe and well tolerated with overall 15 adverse events one of which was serious. Among those, sleeping disorders were most frequent and likely related to the underlying disease.. The combination of EP, zinc, selenium and vitamin C may alleviate exacerbation symptoms caused by URTI in COPD. Further studies are warranted to investigate the interactions among Echinacea, zinc, selenium and vitamin C.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Infective Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Ciprofloxacin; Disease Progression; Double-Blind Method; Drug Synergism; Echinacea; Female; Herb-Drug Interactions; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Male; Micronutrients; Middle Aged; Phytotherapy; Placebos; Plant Extracts; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Respiratory Tract Infections; Selenium; Treatment Outcome; Vitamins; Zinc

Prolonged physical exertion and environmental heat stress may elicit postexercise depression of immune cell function, increasing upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) susceptibility. We investigated the effects of acute and short-term vitamin C (VC) compared with placebo (PL) supplementation on URTI susceptibility, salivary immunoglobulin A (s-IgA), and cortisol responses in healthy individuals following prolonged exercise-heat stress.. Twelve participants were randomized into the VC or PL group in a double-blind design. For 12 days, participants consumed 3x500 mg tablets of VC or PL per day, with testing completed at baseline, then following acute (1 d) and short-term (8 d) supplementation. Participants performed 120.1+/-49.6 min of cycling at 54+/-6% VO2max in a hot (34.8+/-1.0 degrees C and 13+/-3% relative humidity) environment, with saliva samples collected at pre-, post-, and 72 h postexercise. Health logs specifying URTI symptoms were completed for 7 days postexercise.. A 2x3x3 mixed ANOVA with a post hoc Bonferroni correction factor revealed a significant linear trend in postexercise cortisol attenuation in the VC group, 21.7+/-15.1 nmol/L (mean+/-SD) at baseline, to 13.5+/-10.0 at acute, to 7.6+/-4.2 after short term (P=.032). No differences were detected in ratio of s-IgA to protein or URTI symptoms between groups.. These data suggest that vitamin C supplementation can decrease postexercise cortisol in individuals performing exercise similar to that of a half-marathon or marathon in hot conditions. However, no changes in s-IgA and URTI were evident, possibly due to previous moderate training and reduced physical and psychological stress compared with athletes participating in ultramarathons.

Topics: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Bicycling; Body Temperature; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Exercise; Exercise Test; Female; Hot Temperature; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Immunoglobulin A; Male; Respiratory Tract Infections; Saliva; Stress, Physiological; Time Factors

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Aspirin; Diphenhydramine; Drug Combinations; Humans; Military Personnel; Respiratory Tract Infections; Rutin; Treatment Outcome

To evaluate the effect of antioxidant Vitamins E and C as adjunct therapy of severe acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) in children.. Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.. A large childrens' hospital serving the urban poor in Kolkata, India.. Children aged 2-35 months admitted with severe ALRI.. In total, 174 children were randomly assigned to receive alpha-tocopherol 200 mg and ascorbic acid 100 mg twice daily or placebo for 5 days. All children received standard treatment for severe ALRI. Outcome measures were: time taken to recover from a very ill status, fever, tachypnoea, and feeding difficulty; and improvement in oxidative stress and immune response indicated by thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) and response to skin antigens, respectively.. Recovery rate ratios (95% CI) using proportional hazards model were 0.89 (0.64-1.25), 1.01 (0.72-1.41), 0.86 (0.57-1.29), and 1.12 (0.77-1.64) for very ill status, feeding difficulty, fever, and tachypnoea, respectively. TBARS values were high and similar in the two groups at admission, discharge, and at 2 weeks follow-up. Serum alpha-tocopherol significantly increased in treated group at discharge. Immune response to skin antigens were very poor at admission and after 2 weeks, in both groups.. Infants with severe ALRI failed to benefit from two antioxidant nutrients as adjunct therapy. Severe ALRI in infants may cause cell-mediated immune dysfunction. We need a better understanding of oxidative processes in growing infants to help us better design interventions with antioxidant therapy.

Topics: Acute Disease; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Child, Preschool; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Immunity, Cellular; India; Infant; Male; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress; Proportional Hazards Models; Respiratory Tract Infections; Severity of Illness Index; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; Treatment Outcome; Vitamin E

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a preparation containing echinacea, propolis, and vitamin C in the prevention of respiratory tract infections in children during a 12-week winter period.. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.. Four hundred thirty children, aged 1 to 5 years, were randomized to an herbal extract preparation (n = 215) or a placebo elixir (n = 215).. Administration of an herbal preparation (Chizukit) containing 50 mg/mL of echinacea, 50 mg/mL of propolis, and 10 mg/mL of vitamin C, or placebo (5.0 mL and 7.5 mL twice daily for ages 1 to 3 years and 4 to 5 years, respectively) for 12 weeks.. Significant mean +/- SD reductions of illnesses were seen in the Chizukit group in the number of illness episodes, 138 vs 308 (55% reduction); number of episodes per child, 0.9 +/- 1.1 vs 1.8 +/- 1.3 (50% reduction, P<.001); and number of days with fever per child, 2.1 +/- 2.9 vs 5.4 +/- 4.4) (62% reduction, P<.001). The total number of illness days and duration of individual episodes were also significantly lower in the Chizukit group. Adverse drug reactions were rare, mild, and transient.. A preventive effect of a product containing echinacea, propolis, and vitamin C on the incidence of respiratory tract infections was observed.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Child, Preschool; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Echinacea; Humans; Infant; Phytotherapy; Plant Preparations; Plants, Medicinal; Propolis; Respiratory Tract Infections

This study determined whether daily supplementation with 600 mg vitamin C would reduce the incidence of symptoms of upper-respiratory-tract (URT) infections after participation in a competitive ultramarathon race (> 42 km). Ultramarathon runners with age-matched controls were randomly divided into placebo and experimental (vitamin C-supplemented) groups. Symptoms of URT infections were monitored for 14 d after the race. Sixty-eight percent of the runners in the placebo group reported the development of symptoms of URT infection after the race; this was significantly more (P < 0.01) than that reported by the vitamin C-supplemented group (33%). The duration and severity of symptoms of URT infections reported in the vitamin C-supplemented nonrunning control group was also significantly less than in the nonrunning control group receiving the placebo (P < 0.05). This study provides evidence that vitamin C supplementation may enhance resistance to the postrace URT infections that occur commonly in competitive ultramarathon runners and may reduce the severity of such infections in those who are sedentary.

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Female; Humans; Male; Respiratory Tract Infections; Running

Topics: Acute Disease; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Clinical Trials as Topic; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Male; Prospective Studies; Respiratory Tract Infections

During 7 weeks in the spring of 1973 a double-blind pilot study on 172 children in the age group 8-9 was carried out to test the possible effect of 1000 mg vitamin C daily as a prophylactic agent against common colds. During the autumn of 1973, a main study was carried out on 642 children of the same age. The investigations had the same pattern and lasted for 3 months. Both studies have been processed on the same principles. The results were somewhat divergent but, like previously published studies on children, seemed to indicate that the duration and severity of the cold were reduced while, on the other hand, the incidence remained unaltered or indeed increased. The total number of days of upper respiratory tract infection was smaller for the vitamin C group only in the pilot study (not in the main study). No proven biochemical effects were obtained. Preventive treatment of healthy children with vitamin C in large doses this had no definitely proved effect against colds.

Topics: Adolescent; Age Factors; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Common Cold; Drug Evaluation; Female; Humans; Male; Respiratory Tract Infections

To evaluate earlier observations, including our own, showing usefulness of vitamin C for managing the common cold, we performed a double-blind trial of vitamin C versus placebo in 868 children. There was no difference in number becoming ill (133 versus 129), number of episodes (166 versus 159) or mean illness duration (5.5 versus 5.8 days) between the groups. Children receiving vitamin C had fewer throat cultures yielding beta-hemolytic streptococcus (six versus 13, P less than 0.10), but no difference in overall complicated illness rate (24 versus 25). Plasma ascorbic acid levels were higher in the vitamin group 24 to 26 hours after supplementation (1.28 versus 1.04 mg per 100 ml, P less than 0.01). Children with high plasma ascorbic acid concentrations had longer mean illness (6.8 versus 4.0 days, P less than 0.05) than those with low levels. Vitamin C does not seem to be an effective prophylactic or therapeutic agent for upper respiratory illness.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Age Factors; Arizona; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Clinical Trials as Topic; Common Cold; Female; Humans; Indians, North American; Male; Otitis Media; Placebos; Respiratory Tract Infections; Time Factors

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Bioethical Issues; Child; Child Health Services; Clinical Trials as Topic; Common Cold; Compensation and Redress; Control Groups; Coronary Care Units; Coronary Disease; Disclosure; Epidemiologic Methods; Ethics Committees, Clinical; Ethics Committees, Research; Ethics, Medical; Federal Government; Female; Glomerulonephritis; Government Regulation; Human Experimentation; Humans; Informed Consent; Insurance, Liability; Jurisprudence; Male; Maternal Health Services; Moral Obligations; Nontherapeutic Human Experimentation; Penicillin G Benzathine; Placebos; Professional Staff Committees; Respiratory Tract Infections; Rheumatic Fever; Risk Assessment; Streptococcal Infections; Therapeutic Human Experimentation; United States; Withholding Treatment

After their random -llocation to one of three treatment aroups, 622 volunteers received either vitamin C or placebo in a maintenance dose of 500 mg once weekly and a therapeutic dose of 1500 mg daily on the 1st day and 1000 mg on the next 4 days of any illness. Two forms of vitamin C were employed: a sustained-release capsule containing ascorbic acid and a regular tabet containing a mixture of sodium and calcium ascorbate. In the 448 subjects who completed an average of 15 weeks in the study of total of 635 episodes of illness were recroded. Respiratory symptoms were recorded on at least 1 day in 92 per cent of these episodes. There were no consistent or significant differences in the sickness experience of the subjects receiving the sustained-release vitamin capsules compared to those receiving the vitamin tablets, but subjects in both vitamin groups experienced less severe illness than subjects in the placebo group, with approximately 25 per cent fewer days spent indoors because of the illness (P smaller than 0.05). These results are compatible with the belief that supplementary vitamin C can reduce the burden of winter illness, but the intake need not be as high as has sometimes been claimed.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Calcium; Clinical Trials as Topic; Common Cold; Drug Combinations; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Ontario; Placebos; Respiratory Tract Infections; Seasons; Sodium; Tablets; Time Factors

Topics: Adenoviridae Infections; Ascorbic Acid; Citrates; Clinical Trials as Topic; Common Cold; Humans; Influenza, Human; Leukocytes; Placebos; Respiratory Tract Infections; Virus Diseases

Topics: Adolescent; Age Factors; Arizona; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Clinical Trials as Topic; Cough; Drug Evaluation; Female; Humans; Male; Placebos; Residential Facilities; Respiratory Tract Infections; Seasons; Sex Factors; Tablets

Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Clinical Trials as Topic; Common Cold; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Humans; Male; Placebos; Respiratory Tract Infections; Time Factors

Antioxidants and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have a role in the human immune defense and may affect the susceptibility to upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). To examine dietary intake of vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc and PUFAs in relation to URTI incidence in a prospective cohort study.. A total of 1533 Swedish women and men aged 25-64 years were followed for nine months during 2011-2012. Information on dietary intake was assessed through a web-based food frequency questionnaire, and events of URTI were self-reported prospectively as they occurred. Cox proportional hazards regression was applied to obtain incidence rate ratios with 95% confidence intervals.. The mean number of URTI events was 0.9 among all participants, 1.0 among women and 0.7 among men. In women, the incidence rate ratios (95% confidence interval) for high compared with low intake were 0.69 (0.55-0.88) for vitamin C, 0.77 (0.62-0.96) for vitamin E, 0.57 (0.39-0.83) for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and 0.80 (0.65-0.99) for arachidonic acid (AA). No association was found for selenium or zinc among women. In men, an increased URTI incidence was seen with medium vitamin E intake (1.42 (1.09-1.85)) and high zinc intake (1.50 (1.04-2.16)). No association was found for vitamin C, selenium or PUFAs among men.. We found an inverse association of URTI incidence among women for vitamin C, vitamin E, DHA and AA intake and a positive association among men for vitamin E and zinc intake. The observed gender differences warrant further investigation.

Topics: Adult; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Diet; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Female; Humans; Incidence; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Respiratory Tract Infections; Risk Factors; Selenium; Sweden; Vitamin E; Zinc

A number of antiviral therapies have evolved that may be effectively administered to treat respiratory viral diseases. But these therapies are very often of limited efficacy or have severe side effects. Therefore there is great interest in developing new efficacious and safe antiviral compounds e.g. based on the identification of compounds of herbal origin.. Since an aqueous extract of Aloe arborescens Mill. shows antiviral activity against viruses causing infections of the upper respiratory tract in vitro we hypothesised that a product containing it such as Biaron C(®) could have an antiviral activity too.. Antiviral activity of Bioaron C(®), an herbal medicinal product consisting of an aqueous extract of Aloe arborescens Mill., Vitamin C, and Aronia melanocarpa Elliot. succus, added as an excipient, was tested in vitro against a broad panel of viruses involved in upper respiratory tract infections.. These studies included human adenovirus and several RNA viruses and were performed either with plaque reduction assays or with tests for the detection of a virus-caused cytopathic effect.. Our studies demonstrated an impressive activity of Bioaron C(®) against members of the orthomyxoviridae - influenza A and influenza B viruses. Replication of both analysed influenza A virus strains - H1N1 and H3N2 - as well as replication of two analysed influenza B viruses - strains Yamagatal and Beiying - was significantly reduced after addition of Bioaron C(®) to the infected cell cultures. In contrast antiviral activity of Bioaron C(®) against other RNA viruses showed a heterogeneous pattern. Bioaron C(®) inhibited the replication of human rhinovirus and coxsackievirus, both viruses belonging to the family of picornaviridae and both representing non-enveloped RNA viruses. In vitro infections with respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza virus, both belonging to the paramyxoviridae, were only poorly blocked by the test substance. No antiviral activity of Bioaron C(®) was detected against adenovirus - a non-enveloped DNA virus.. These results represent the first proof of a selective antiviral activity of Bioaron C(®) against influenza viruses and create basis for further analyses of type and molecular mechanisms of the antiviral activity of this herbal medicine.

Topics: Adenoviridae; Aloe; Animals; Antiviral Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Dogs; Drug Combinations; Enterovirus; HeLa Cells; Humans; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype; Influenza B virus; Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal; Respiratory Tract Infections; Rhinovirus; Viral Plaque Assay

To investigate whether Xiyanping injection associated with vitamin C injection will improve the cure rate of upper respiratory tract infection compared to treatment with Xiyanping injection alone.. The analysis was based on hospital information system (HIS) data. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether he or she accepted the addition of vitamin C to treatment with Xiyanping injection. We used the propensity score to balance confounding factors, and made confounding factors which cannot be balanced by the propensity score to act as covariate variables. Then Logistic regression was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the two groups.. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups.. Compared with Xiyanping injection alone, using vitamin C in combination does not improve the treatment effectiveness of upper respiratory tract infection.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Clinical Trials as Topic; Drug Therapy, Combination; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Female; Hospital Information Systems; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Respiratory Tract Infections; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult

Antioxidants are regulators of immune function and may play a role in upper respiratory tract infections (URTI). We investigated the potential effects of dietary intake from food and supplement use of vitamins C and E on the risk of self-reported URTI.. We conducted a population-based cohort study of 1509 Swedish men and women ages 20 to 60 with a follow-up period of 4 months. Participants reported a total of 1181 occurrences of URTI. Poisson regression model was used to control for age, sex, and other confounding factors.. Among women, we found that the incidence rate ratio (IRR) for high intake of vitamin C (>200 mg/d) from food was 0.69 (95% CI 0.49-0.98) compared with low intake (<100 mg/d). This association was not seen among men, for whom the IRR was 1.16 (95% CI 0.79-1.70) for high intake of vitamin C (>150 mg/d) compared with low intake (<50 mg/d). We saw no protective effect of vitamin E from food among either men or women, but a possible protective effect of vitamin C and E supplement use among men (vitamin C, 0.69 [95% CI 0.47-1.02]; vitamin E, 0.56 [95% CI 0.33-0.95]), although not among women.. The present study is the first observational study to suggest that intake of vitamin C from food is sufficient to lower the risk of URTI among women. In addition, it appears that supplement use of vitamin E and vitamin C may reduce the risk of URTI among men, who overall had a lower intake of vitamin C from food than women.

Topics: Adult; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Incidence; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Respiratory Tract Infections; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vitamin E; Vitamins; Young Adult

Topics: Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections; Running; Stress, Physiological

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Tract Infections; Treatment Outcome; Vitamin D

Three hundred and fifty children at the age of 3 months to 6 years under diverse social conditions were observed in dynamics for the periods of 1 to 3 years. The main tasks of the study were development of schemes and methods for prophylactic use of the Viferon ointment and estimation of its efficacy in acute viral respiratory tract infection. Season changes in the interferon genesis were revealed and no such dynamics in the children with frequent infections was shown. The ointment was applied according to the developed procedure intranasally in a daily dose of 1 g every day for the first 2 weeks and 3 times a week for the following 2-4 weeks. Interferon correctable and immunomodulating effects of the ointment were detected, the same as its favourable impact on the number of the acute respiratory tract infection cases including those under the conditions of the infant school adaptation. Its favourable effect was also observed in children with frequent infections during their immunorehabilitation. The most pronounced clinical and immunomodulating effects were revealed in young children.

Topics: Acute Disease; Antiviral Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Interferon alpha-2; Interferon-alpha; Male; Ointments; Recombinant Proteins; Respiratory Tract Infections; Retrospective Studies; Virus Diseases; Vitamin E

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Clinical Trials as Topic; Endpoint Determination; Exercise; Humans; Research Design; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sample Size; Treatment Outcome

Marathoners are at an increased risk of developing upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) following races and periods of hard training, which are associated with temporary changes in the immune system. The majority of the reported changes are decreases in function or concentration of certain immune cells. During this period of immune suppression, by some referred to as an 'open window' in immune function, it has been hypothesised that viruses and bacteria might gain a foothold, which would increase the risk of infections. In light of this, nutritional interventions that can enhance immune function and reduce the risk of URTIs have been sought. This paper focuses on the effect of glutamine, vitamin C, bovine colostrum and glucose. Although, some of these supplements can affect the physiological and immune changes associated with marathon racing, none of the supplements discussed have consistently been shown to reduce the risk of URTIs and therefore cannot be recommended for use as enhancers of immune function in marathon runners.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Colostrum; Denmark; Dietary Supplements; Glucose; Glutamine; Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections; Running

Topics: Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Documentation; Humans; Physical Endurance; Reproducibility of Results; Respiratory Tract Infections; Risk Factors; Stress, Physiological

Topics: Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Humans; Immune System; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Nutritional Requirements; Oxidative Stress; Physical Endurance; Respiratory Tract Infections; Vitamin E

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Child, Preschool; Drug Therapy, Combination; Echinacea; Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Infant; Phytotherapy; Plant Preparations; Plants, Medicinal; Propolis; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Tract Infections

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Humans; Immune System; Respiratory Tract Infections

Building on the work of the late John Myers, MD, the author has used an intravenous vitamin-and-mineral formula for the treatment of a wide range of clinical conditions. The modified "Myers' cocktail," which consists of magnesium, calcium, B vitamins, and vitamin C, has been found to be effective against acute asthma attacks, migraines, fatigue (including chronic fatigue syndrome), fibromyalgia, acute muscle spasm, upper respiratory tract infections, chronic sinusitis, seasonal allergic rhinitis, cardiovascular disease, and other disorders. This paper presents a rationale for the therapeutic use of intravenous nutrients, reviews the relevant published clinical research, describes the author's clinical experiences, and discusses potential side effects and precautions.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Asthma; Body Temperature; Calcium Gluconate; Child, Preschool; Depression; Drug Combinations; Fatigue; Female; Fever; Fibromyalgia; Heart Failure; Humans; Hydroxocobalamin; Infusions, Intravenous; Magnesium Chloride; Male; Middle Aged; Migraine Disorders; Pantothenic Acid; Pyridoxine; Respiratory Tract Infections; Vitamin B Complex

Topics: Adrenergic beta-Agonists; Analgesics; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Echinacea; Evidence-Based Medicine; Family Practice; Histamine H1 Antagonists; Humans; Nasal Decongestants; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Tract Infections; Zinc

Topics: Adolescent; Ascorbic Acid; Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome; Female; Humans; Recurrence; Respiratory Tract Infections

Several studies have observed an increased risk of respiratory infections in subjects doing heavy physical exercise. Vitamin C has been shown to affect some parts of the immune system, and accordingly it seems biologically conceivable that it could have effects on the increased incidence of respiratory infections caused by heavy physical stress. In this report the results of three placebo-controlled studies that have examined the effect of vitamin C supplementation on common cold incidence in subjects under acute physical stress are analyzed. In one study the subjects were school-children at a skiing camp in the Swiss Alps, in another they were military troops training in Northern Canada, and in the third they were participants in a 90 km running race. In each of the three studies a considerable reduction in common cold incidence in the group supplemented with vitamin C(0.6-1.0 g/day) was found. The pooled rate ratio (RR) of common cold infections in the studies was 0.50 (95% CI: 0.35-0.69) in favour of vitamin C groups. Accordingly, the results of the three studies suggest that vitamin C supplementation may be beneficial for some of the subjects doing heavy exercise who have problems with frequent upper respiratory infections.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Child; Common Cold; Exercise; Humans; Incidence; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Tract Infections

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Humans; Research Design; Respiratory Tract Infections

Scattering Vitamin C of a small dose on a bedsore, enhances remarkably bactericidal effect of antibiotics. With scattering of it, 1% cream of Sulfadiazine made antibiotics-resistant bacteria (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus = MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa etc.) negative on a bedsore. Also in MRSA-infection of respiratory organs, combined administration of Vitamin C gives more effective bactericidal efficacy to some antibiotics. In a case infected with MRSA, of which the Minocycline-therapy had been ineffective, the combined administration of Vitamin C with Minocycline led him successfully to the negativeness of MRSA.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Administration, Topical; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ascorbic Acid; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Male; Methicillin Resistance; Minocycline; Pressure Ulcer; Respiratory Tract Infections; Staphylococcal Infections

We investigated the acute effect of ascorbic acid on histamine bronchial responsiveness (PC 20: concentration causing a 20% fall in FEV1) in 9 hospital staff members with upper respiratory tract infection (URI) and cough. Subjects were examined within 5 days from the start of illness and 6 weeks after. On day 1, the reproducibility of PC20 was assessed by 2 consecutive inhalation challenges 1 h apart; the two values were closely related (r = 0.96, p less than 0.001). Five subjects had bronchial hyperresponsiveness (PC20 less than 8 mg/ml histamine). On the following day, PC20 was measured before and 1 h after oral intake of 2 g ascorbic acid. Vitamin C produced a significant increase in average PC20 (p less than 0.01) from 7.8 +/- (SE) 1.2 to 25.1 +/- (SE) 1.2 mg/ml. None had airway hyperresponsiveness after treatment. Six weeks after the onset of URI, bronchial responsiveness was normal in all the subjects but one. The mean PC20 was 15.5 +/- (SE) 1.25 mg/ml, significantly higher than during URI (p less than 0.05); after ascorbic acid it increased nonsignificantly to 25.7 +/- (SE) 1.35 mg/ml. Our results indicate that vitamin C inhibits the transient increase in bronchial responsiveness occurring in otherwise normal subjects during URI.

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Bronchi; Bronchial Provocation Tests; Cough; Female; Histamine; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Respiratory Tract Infections

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Candidiasis; Humans; Industrial Microbiology; Occupational Diseases; Rats; Respiratory Tract Infections; Thiamine

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Child; Diet; Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections; Salicylates

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Child; Diet; Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections; Salicylates

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Humans; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Respiratory Tract Infections

1. No difference in health was observed between men on megadosage of ascorbic acid and controls during the year of an Antarctic expedition. 2. All men appeared to have a satisfactory intake of ascorbic acid throughout the year. 3. There was a statistically significant decrease in excretion of ascorbic acid by men on megadosage over the year, and by the controls. 4. The decline in excretion by the control group may be explained by dietary change, but the decline in those on megadosage may be due to altered handling of ascorbic acid by the body. 5. No complications due to megadosage of ascorbic acid were observed.

Topics: Antarctic Regions; Ascorbic Acid; Expeditions; Food, Fortified; Humans; Male; Respiratory Tract Infections; Time Factors

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Coal Mining; Czechoslovakia; Humans; Influenza, Human; Occupational Medicine; Respiratory Tract Infections

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Common Cold; Diet; Penicillins; Respiratory Tract Infections; Tetracycline

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Erythrocytes; Female; Humans; Male; Respiratory Tract Infections; Time Factors

Topics: Adenoviridae Infections; Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Humans; Influenza, Human; Male; Respiratory Tract Infections; Time Factors

Topics: Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Bronchitis; Female; Humans; Hypothermia; Male; Nutrition Disorders; Respiratory Tract Infections; Seasons

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Betamethasone; Eye Diseases; Gastroenteritis; Humans; Infant; Male; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Pseudomonas Infections; Respiratory Tract Infections; Vitamin B Complex

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Respiratory Tract Infections; Scurvy

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Birth Weight; Breast Feeding; Gastroenteritis; Humans; Hypernatremia; Infant Food; Infant Nutrition Disorders; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Newborn, Diseases; Metabolism, Inborn Errors; Respiratory Tract Infections; Tetany; Vitamin A; Vitamin D; Vitamin K; Vomiting

Topics: Adolescent; Ascorbic Acid; Australia; Body Height; Body Weight; Child; Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Child, Preschool; Cholesterol; Deficiency Diseases; Female; Folic Acid; Growth; Humans; Infant; Infant Nutrition Disorders; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Iron; Malabsorption Syndromes; Male; Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; Nutrition Surveys; Protein Deficiency; Respiratory Tract Infections; Serum Albumin; Vitamins

Topics: Air Pollution; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Environmental Exposure; Humans; Industrial Waste; Metallurgy; Morbidity; Rats; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sulfur Dioxide; USSR

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Cat Diseases; Cats; Female; Herpesviridae Infections; Male; Respiratory Tract Infections

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Common Cold; Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections; Virus Diseases

Topics: Acetaminophen; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Child, Preschool; Dimethindene; Glycosides; Humans; Middle Aged; Phenylephrine; Respiratory Tract Infections

Topics: Adenoviridae; Adenoviridae Infections; Antiviral Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Common Cold; Cough; Culture Techniques; Humans; Infections; Orthomyxoviridae; Orthomyxoviridae Infections; Picornaviridae; Respiratory Tract Infections; Virus Diseases

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Bacterial Infections; Biomedical Research; Common Cold; Communicable Disease Control; Drug Therapy; Humans; Placebos; Protein Synthesis Inhibitors; Respiratory Tract Infections; Spiramycin; Tetracycline

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Child; Disease Susceptibility; Humans; Infant; Long-Term Care; Lymphatic Vessels; Lymphocytosis; Respiratory Tract Infections; Vitamins

Topics: Analgesics; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; Anti-Allergic Agents; Antipyretics; Ascorbic Acid; Common Cold; Histamine H1 Antagonists; Humans; Respiratory System; Respiratory Tract Infections

Topics: Acute Disease; Ascorbic Acid; Communicable Diseases; Humans; Respiratory System; Respiratory Tract Infections; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Biomedical Research; Flavones; Humans; Respiratory System; Respiratory Tract Infections; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Citrus; Flavones; Flavonoids; Respiratory System; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Respiratory Tract Infections; Vitamins

Topics: Acute Disease; Ascorbic Acid; Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections; Ventilators, Mechanical; Vitamins