The Easiest, Cheapest, and Safest Flu Fighter: Vitamin C

This year, there's even more fretting than usual about how
best to fight flu, thanks to the questions and concerns
surrounding H1N1. But there's one time-tested approach that
seems to be overlooked... a sure-fire flu-fighting strategy
that has long been embraced by both the natural and
mainstream medical communities as an effective immune
booster. It's safe and inexpensive and even tastes good
enough that children don't object. What is it?  Good old
vitamin C.  I asked Daily Health News contributing medical
editor Andrew Rubman, ND, to tell us why this simple and
classic strategy can be so effective at fighting off flu.

Strengthen Immunity the Natural Way

In understanding how flu spreads, it's critical to remember
that most people will be exposed to a flu virus this
season, observes Dr. Rubman. Whether or not you succumb
depends in large part on the integrity of your immune
system. If you are in robust health -- if you eat well, get
a proper balance of rest and exercise, manage stress in a
positive fashion and practice good hygiene -- the odds are
better that you will successfully stave off microbial
invaders. Where does vitamin C fit in?  It provides some
extra-strength protection, particularly important this
worrisome season. According to Dr. Rubman, this nutrient is
one of the most important for human function, and it's also
one of the most thoroughly studied. He believes it protects
the body from cold and flu viruses more effectively than
other supplements and medications because of its ability to
build immunity, attack disease-causing organisms, reduce
congestion, and strengthen cells and tissue. It does all
this by fortifying two particular functions...   
*Collagen construction and maintenance. Vitamin C supports
collagen, a vital protein that strengthens the cell walls
of the body's circulatory system. Intact collagen protects
the resiliency of tissue in the respiratory and digestive
tract, repelling infiltration by dangerous germs. Healthier
tissue is less likely to be vulnerable to infection.   
*Antioxidant protection. Vitamin C also is a powerful
antioxidant that quenches reactive oxygen species and
prevents cell damage from free radical molecules. Vitamin C
renders mucous membranes and underlying tissue less
vulnerable to penetration and replication of the virus.
Some research suggests that it reduces the duration and
severity of colds.

How Much to Take?

Generally