The Best Time to Take Vitamin C to Boost Your Immune System, According to Science
The best time to take vitamin C to boost your immune system is with meals multiple times per day. Dividing your daily vitamin C intake into smaller doses throughout the day might lead to better absorption and utilization compared to taking a large dose once a day.......CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE>>>>>
What Experts Recommend
Any time of day is fine for taking vitamin C supplements. While there is no best time to take vitamin C, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Take multiple times per day:Vitamin C may be most beneficial when taken two to three times daily, along with food. While there’s no wrong way to take vitamin C supplements, medical experts typically recommend breaking your daily dosage into several small amounts.
- Consider amount: The amount of vitamin C supplementation you need will, in part, determine how often you should take it. Talking to your healthcare provider will help you choose the amount you need and the best dosing schedule for you.
- Don’t discount your diet: Keep in mind that your diet will have an impact on the amount of vitamin C you need, as well as when you should take it.
- You may need less or no supplementation if your diet is rich in this nutrient. For example, eating kiwifruit or other types of fruit may eliminate the need to take additional vitamin C. If you sit down to a meal containing vitamin C-rich food, you may wish to skip taking a supplement with that meal.
A Word From Verywell
Vitamin C requirements can be met through a balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrient-rich foods such as bell peppers, cantaloupe, parsley, kale, kiwis, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. If you have questions about whether you should be taking a vitamin C supplement, consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian.
Do You Need Extra Vitamin C During Cold and Flu Season?
No evidence indicates that extra vitamin C helps prevent or cure colds and flu. However, supplementation of 200 to 1,000 milligrams (mg) daily during cold and flu season may help slightly reduce the time you feel sick when you catch a cold.
One review of studies said the effects are mostly in reducing the time you have severe symptoms rather than helping with mild symptoms. It may also be most helpful in people who undergo extreme physical activity, are in very cold environments, or don’t get enough vitamin C from food.
Vitamin C also helps your body manufacture collagen, a structural protein that helps with wound healing.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant. This means it helps protect your cells from damage by free radicals, which are highly reactive and unstable molecules created during energy production in cells and by exposure to toxins. Free radicals can contribute to diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, and certain types of cancer