Optimal Health Daily - Fitness and Nutrition 3287: How Much Vitamin C? by Radio New Zealand with Les Mills on Daily Nourishment and Balance
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Feb 8, 2026 A lively breakdown of vitamin C science and why it is not a miracle cold cure. Conversations cover absorption, transporters, and how the body regulates and saturates vitamin C. They explore vitamin C’s role in critical illness, cancer research nuances, and practical food sources versus supplements.
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Vitamin C Is Central To Many Body Processes
- Vitamin C is central to many enzymes and biological processes, affecting everything from blood vessel growth to genetic regulation.
- Our bodies actively transport and concentrate vitamin C into tissues until blood levels saturate around 100 μM.
Supplements Won't Stop Colds, Timing Matters
- Regular vitamin C supplementation doesn't prevent colds but may slightly shorten their duration.
- Taking high doses after symptoms start shows no consistent benefit, so timing and regular intake matter.
Consider Higher Doses During Physical Or Early Illness
- People under short periods of extreme physical stress may cut cold risk by taking vitamin C.
- Marguerite Vissers recommends about 1 gram daily when developing a cold to possibly shorten it and reduce pneumonia risk.