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Vitamin C Prophylaxis in Marine Recruits

1979; American Medical Association; Volume: 241; Issue: 9 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1001/jama.1979.03290350028016

1538-3598

Henry A. Pitt, Anthony M. Costrini,

Vitamin C and Antioxidants Research

A prospective, randomized, double-blind study was carried out to determine whether vitamin C prophylaxis, 2.0 g/day, vs placebo prophylaxis would reduce the incidence or morbidity of the common cold and other respiratory illnesses in 674 marine recruits during an eight-week period. Whole-blood ascorbic acid levels measured six weeks after initiation of the study were significantly higher in the vitamin C group. There was no difference between the two groups in the incidence or duration of colds. The vitamin C group rated their colds as being less severe, but this was not reflected in different symptom complexes or in fewer sick-call visits or training days lost. This study and the literature do not support the prophylactic use of vitamin C to prevent the common cold.