The common cold may seem benign, but we all know how fatigue, fever, and body aches can keep you up all night. Cold symptoms like stuffy noses, sore throats, chills, sneezing, and coughing can quickly become a nuisance.
The common cold can be caused by about 200 viruses, though rhinoviruses are the most common culprits. On the other hand, the influenza virus is responsible for causing the flu.
Generally, the symptoms of a common cold are less severe than those of the flu. So, while most people recover from a cold in 7 to 10 days by simply treating the symptoms, the flu can sometimes last for over a week. Left untreated, the flu can even lead to severe health conditions like pneumonia.
While there’s no cure for the common cold or the flu, IV vitamin therapy comes quite close to relieving the symptoms.
How can I avoid getting the flu?
While a cold or flu can strike anytime, people tend to get sick more often during the fall or winter, also called the “cold and flu season.” Some of the reasons for this are the increased stress on the immune system, rhinoviruses’ preference for cold weather, and weaker resistance during these seasons.
Taking precautions — like getting a flu shot — can help protect you from seasonal viral infections and decrease the severity of symptoms. Giving your body extra immune-boosting vitamins during flu season can also protect you from severe infections and symptoms.
How does vitamin C help a cold?
You’ve probably heard that vitamin C will prevent or cure your cold. While not 100% accurate, that myth is actually rooted in some fact. A study found that megadoses of vitamin C decreased cold and flu symptoms by 85% and were more effective than decongestants and painkillers.
Vitamin C is essential for the production of immune cells, and its powerful antioxidant capabilities protect your immune cells from oxidative stress.
In addition, vitamin C has antibacterial and antiviral properties that boost immunity, making it one of the best vitamins for flu season.
What are good sources of vitamin C?
Some familiar sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits like oranges, strawberries, and kiwis. You can also get vitamin C from vegetables such as sweet potatoes, spinach, and bell peppers.
While a healthy diet with an adequate variety of foods can provide a sufficient level of vitamin C, you need dietary supplements to reach higher doses. Because vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, any excess your body doesn’t use leaves the body in urine. This means your body doesn’t have a reserve of vitamin C it can call upon when sick.
When suffering from an upper respiratory tract infection such as the common cold, additional doses of vitamin C can help reduce the severity of cold symptoms.
How much vitamin C do you need for a cold?
The daily requirement for vitamin C varies from person to person. However, taking higher-than-average doses of vitamin C supplements can upset the stomach — even in healthy adults. In general, you can safely consume 1,000 to 1,500 mg of vitamin C daily, but the recommended daily dosage is 90 mg for men and 75 mg for women.
With an IV vitamin drip, we can administer high doses of vitamin C directly into the bloodstream — bypassing the gastrointestinal tract and any unpleasant side effects.
Are there other vitamins that help with cold and flu symptoms?
Of course! The human body is a very complex machine that requires all sorts of vitamins and minerals to function properly. Another benefit of IV vitamin infusions is we can create a custom blend of nutrients and hydration to best support your immune response — no generic multivitamin formulas here!
Does vitamin B help with colds?
B vitamins play many key roles in your body. One of those roles is the production of antibodies — proteins that attack invading pathogens.
Common sources of vitamin B include bananas, chickpeas, and poultry. The vitamin B complex helps increase the production of red and white blood cells in your body, which boosts your immune system and energy levels.
Does zinc help with colds?
Zinc supplementation is a very common natural remedy for the common cold. People often use zinc acetate tablets to reduce the duration of their sickness and zinc lozenges to help soothe sore throats and strengthen the immune system.
Zinc supports the immune system in many ways, including the production of natural killer cells — immune cells that kill virally infected cells. Placebo-controlled clinical trials have demonstrated the benefits of zinc in reducing the duration of fever in children.
Does vitamin D help with colds?
Known as the “sunshine vitamin,” many people suffer from lower vitamin D levels in the winter when sunshine is less available. Unfortunately, this period of low vitamin D coincides with cold and flu season.
Supplementing with vitamin D when your levels are low can reduce your risk of infection. Adding vitamin D supplements in the winter months can also improve your mood, energy levels, and general wellness.
What other vitamins support the immune system?
When heading into cold and flu season, talk to your doctor about adding additional nutrient supplements to your routine. Vitamins A and E and minerals such as calcium and magnesium all contribute to immune system function — even if they aren’t as popular as vitamin C and zinc.
Does insurance cover IV vitamin therapy?
Most insurance providers don’t cover the cost of IV therapy. But the good news is that IV vitamin therapy is relatively inexpensive, with most packages starting at $100. Besides, you can customize the medications and supplements to reduce the total cost. Many IV vitamin clinics also offer payment plans.
Some insurance providers cover the cost of IV therapy only if it is conducted in a hospital. Check with your insurance provider to see what your options are.
Get extra cold and flu protection from IV Vitamin Therapy
IV Vitamin Therapy’s medical facility provides high-quality infusion therapy based on scientific research. You can get IV therapy in a relaxed and comfortable environment to quickly nurse yourself back to health.
Each session is closely monitored by our experienced and licensed doctor, who calculates the infusion rates carefully to ensure patient safety. We also develop a custom vitamin cocktail for each patient, giving your body the nutrients it needs in the most efficient way possible.
For more information, call us at (855) 999-5577 or schedule a consultation online.
Where can I find immune support near me?
Busy? We’ll come to you and give you your infusions at your home or office via our popular concierge house call service.
We serve the greater Los Angeles area, including Beverly Hills, Bel Air, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, Culver City, Hollywood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Downtown Los Angeles, Encino, Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, Calabasas, Burbank, Glendale, Hidden Hills, Agoura Hills, Northridge, North Hollywood, Topanga, Canoga Park, Reseda, Valley Glen, Chatsworth, West Hills, Winnetka, Universal City, Silverlake, Echo Park, and many more.
