Any benefit is likely a placebo, and Airborne in particular could be harmful depending on how much you take: http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/airborne-admits-false-advertising/ More at the link. It is pretty outdated, though I imagine things haven't changed too much. While we're at it... http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/treating-the-common-cold/ http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/vitamin-c-strikes-out-again/ I'm actually somewhat reminded of the idea that "boosting your immune system" (which is intended to just be PR talk for replacing "treating the common cold") may not even be a good thing, depending on how you look at it (though fortunately these products likely don't even do that).
from that link... it's all about DRUG WAR. while the above meds will reduce the flu symptoms, it will not do good to the liver.
As long as you follow the recommended dosage, you should be able to avoid liver damage I believe (if there is any research that indicates otherwise, I'd be interested to read it). Though some people don't realize that several OTC drugs also contain pain relievers (so they might take a couple of Tylenol, then take some DayQuil tablets, essentially doubling their dosage). I'd be more worried about taking 120% of the daily Vitamin A amounts (or 5000% of the Vitamin C amounts) with Airbone to be honest. Drug war? OK.
Vit C works for me. I don't get flu shots. If I miss to eat a fruit in a day, i make sure I take 1g of Vit C. I prefer this product. http://us.drrath.com/cellular-health-supplements/supportive-formulas/lysinc-drink-mix.html Drugs companies want people to get sick to make profit. If you look closely how they market their products, you'd be shock. My high school classmate is a med rep, they spend a lot money to make doctors happy (bribe) so they will prescribe their products to patients. That in itself is wrong.
I don't get the flu shot either. I was told that it can cause autism in adults. So better safe than sorry.
Well, I'm convinced. Your anecdotal evidence (which certainly didn't rule out any placebo effects) is very convincing (never mind the fact I'm pretty sure your body is turning most of that Vitamin C into waste). Drug companies aren't angels, though that doesn't mean the companies that sell these products (which often are the same drug companies) are all that good either. Forget all that stuff, and just focus on the science/evidence. Drug companies and supplement companies are shady. But at least the former is more strongly regulated (i.e., their products have to undergo vigorous testing).
Oh yes I must be stupid. Sorry I was just passing along what academic testing has shown (financed by the drug industry? Uh, ok). But, yeah, all of these vitamin companies are in it for the good of humanity and are not (less regulated) greed machines like big pharm. I also read studies that talk about how bad acetaminophen and all the ridiculous inhibitors and beta blockers generally are. I am a stupid pharm slut.
Taking excessive vitamin C will only result in you pissing more vitamin C out of you. It's not a cure or prevention for a cold.
But, but rimbaud... Linus Pauling was really smart, and maybe smarter than you? But you are spot on for studies of vitamin C. The hand-washing, not touching your eyes and face, and getting the flip away from sick people is the only way to go.
I got hosed by being on 4 airplanes in 3 days last week. People coughing and sneezing all around me. Now I feel like crap and I'm pretty sure my son is coming down with something, too.
Apparently not, it quickly devolved into Conspiracy Theorist Camp. Or, The Wives Tales' Coalition of Anecdotal Evidence.
IMHO, breathing the air on an airplane is comparable to licking the toilet seat in a Telephone Road gas station.
