Does supplemental vitamin C intake amount have an effect on the flu among GrassrootsHealth participants?

Published on January 7, 2020

In an earlier post we showed that fewer GrassrootsHealth participants who reported taking supplemental vitamin C experienced the flu compared to those who did not. Today, we’ll explore how the amount of supplemental vitamin C intake affects flu incidence.

Using the data you provided for the GrassrootsHealth study, we assessed the effect of supplemental vitamin C intake amount on the occurrence of the flu. We found that the percent of participants who experienced the flu in the prior 6 months was 38% lower for those who reported taking 1,000 mg or more of supplemental vitamin C per day on average compared to those who reported no supplemental vitamin C intake.

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This preliminary analysis suggests that taking supplemental vitamin C could reduce the risk of experiencing the flu, with higher intakes associated with greater reduction. Further analysis is needed to assess this association by adjusting for other biometric and lifestyle risk factors.

In a future blog post we will explore the combined effect of vitamin C supplemental intake amount and vitamin D status on the flu.

Vitamin D, omega-3s, magnesium, and other nutrients are important to measure!

Make sure you know your vitamin D level, and take steps to keep it within a target of 40-60 ng/ml or 100-150 nmol/L! Through GrassrootsHealth Nutrient Research Institute, you can also test your essential elements magnesium, copper, zinc and selenium, toxins such as lead, mercury and cadmium, as well as your omega-3 levels, inflammation levels and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level. Find out your levels today! Log on to the test selection page (click the link below) to get your tests and see for yourself if your levels can be improved.

Make sure you track your results before and after, about every 6 months!

Click Here to Access the Test Page

How can I track my nutrient intake and levels over time?

To help you track your supplement use and nutrient levels, GrassrootsHealth has created an online tracking system called myData-myAnswers. For each specific supplement, you can track what days you take it, how much, and many other details. This will help you know your true supplemental intake and what patterns of use work for you to reach and maintain optimum nutrient levels. Check it out today!

How Can You Use this Information for YOUR Health?

Having and maintaining healthy vitamin D and other nutrient levels can help improve your health now and for your future. Measuring is the only way to make sure you are getting enough!

STEP 1 Order your at-home blood spot test kit to measure vitamin D and other nutrients of concern to you, such as omega-3s, magnesium, essential and toxic elements (zinc, copper, selenium, lead, cadmium, mercury); include hsCRP as a marker of inflammation or HbA1c for blood sugar health

STEP 2 Answer the online questionnaire as part of the GrassrootsHealth study

STEP 3 Using our educational materials and tools (such as our dose calculators), assess your results to determine if you are in your desired target range or if actions should be taken to get there

STEP 4 After 3-6 months of implementing your changes, re-test to see if you have achieved your target level(s)

Enroll in D*action and Build Your Custom Test Kit!