Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin C, including its fat-soluble ester form ascorbyl palmitate, has a long history of traditional use in supporting immune health and treating symptoms of the common cold, including fever. The origins of this practice date back to the 20th century, most notably popularized by Linus Pauling in the 1970s, who advocated for high-dose vitamin C as a preventative and therapeutic agent against colds. This led to widespread public belief in vitamin C's efficacy for colds, supported by its known roles in immune function and antioxidant protection.

However, scientific studies—primarily conducted with regular ascorbic acid, not ascorbyl palmitate—have generally shown only modest benefits, such as a slight reduction in duration and severity of cold symptoms, rather than significant prevention or treatment effects. There is little direct evidence specific to ascorbyl palmitate for colds, as it is less commonly studied; most available data relate to vitamin C in general. The evidence base overall is mixed, with systematic reviews and meta-analyses indicating limited benefit for the general population but possible advantages in individuals under severe physical stress.

Thus, while the use of vitamin C for colds is primarily justified by tradition and historical practice, the scientific evidence supporting a strong therapeutic effect—especially for ascorbyl palmitate—is limited, meriting a modest evidence rating.

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