Vitamin C prophylaxis in marine recruits
H. A. Pitt and A. M. Costrini
A prospective, randomized, double-blind study was carried out to determine
whether vitamin C prophylaxis, 2.0 g/day, vs placebo prophylaxis would
reduce the incidence or morbidity of the common cold and other respiratory
illnesses in 674 marine recruits during an eight-week period. Whole-blood
ascorbic acid levels measured six weeks after initiation of the study were
significantly higher in the vitamin C group. There was no difference
between the two groups in the incidence or duration of colds. The vitamin C
group rated their colds as being less severe, but this was not reflected in
different symptom complexes or in fewer sick-call visits or training days
lost. This study and the literature do not support the prophylactic use of
vitamin C to prevent the common cold.
