Vitamin C for Help in preventing Colds or Flu

Vitamin C is a natural anti-viral compound that's highly concentrated in macrophages - the white blood cells that fight disease. Not only does vitamin C have anti-viral activity, it also scavenges the superoxide anion - a molecule associated with severe flu-associated complications. It's no surprise that research shows that taking vitamin C daily can help prevent colds or flu or shorten their duration.

In fact, a 1999 study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that 1,000 mg of vitamin C every hour for 6 hours and 1,000 mg three times daily thereafter can effectively prevent or relieve flu symptoms.

Be sure to include highly concentrated natural sources of vitamin C - like acerola cherry, camu camu, citrus fruits, berries and peppers - in your diet to bolster your immunity.