Blog
Vitamin C and Breathing: Colds and Smokers
Vitamin C is a needed nutrient found in fruit and vegetables. Trials of daily pills found little effect on how often most people catch colds, with a small cut in cold length for some. Smokers need more vitamin C than non-smokers, but a pill does not offset smoking. PureLung does not list it.
Written by the PureLung label deskUpdated · 5 min read
What is vitamin C?
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, helps the body make collagen, absorb iron and handle stress at the cell level. People cannot make their own, so it must come from food. Citrus fruit, peppers, kiwi, strawberries, broccoli and tomatoes are rich sources.
What trials found on colds
Reviews of many trials found that daily vitamin C pills did not lower the number of colds in most people. They did shorten colds slightly, by about eight percent in adults, in some trials. Taking it after a cold starts had little effect. People under heavy physical stress, such as marathon runners, may see more benefit (NIH ODS, Dietary Supplements: What You Need To Know).
Smokers and vitamin C
Smoking lowers vitamin C levels in the blood, so smokers are advised to take in more from food, about 35 mg more per day than non-smokers. That is a fact about nutrition, and not a sign that a pill protects the lungs. The best step for a smoker is to quit (CDC, Tips for Quitting Smoking).
A day with a citrus fruit, a pepper and a plate of greens supplies far more vitamin C than most people need, and brings fibre and other nutrients.
How much is too much?
The upper limit for adults is 2,000 mg a day. Above that, stomach upset and diarrhea are common. Very high doses can raise the risk of kidney stones in some people. Vitamin C can also interfere with some lab tests and some medicines, so mention it to your clinician.
Does it help asthma or COPD?
Some small studies have looked at vitamin C in asthma and COPD with mixed or limited results. None supports replacing inhalers or other care. Guidance for these conditions centres on medicine, trigger control, vaccines and not smoking (CDC, About Asthma).
PureLung: 60 capsules a bottlePacks of 1, 3 or 6 bottles · live price shown at checkout · guarantee as printed on the live listing
See packsWhere does this leave a lung capsule?
PureLung does not list vitamin C. Pages that say it does are adding something the label does not carry. If vitamin C is what you want, a normal diet or a plain supplement at a standard dose is simpler and clearer than a blend.
What does the PureLung label say?
The label shows 60 capsules, a serving of 2 and a 600 mg Proprietary Blend of eleven names with no single amount; it names no disease.
| Item | As printed |
|---|---|
| Form and count | Capsules, 60 per bottle; serving size 2 capsules; 30 servings |
| Blend per serving | Proprietary Blend, 600 mg: eleven names, no single amount printed |
| Inactive | Rice Flour, Magnesium Stearate, Silica Dioxide |
| Distributor | MJO, Sheridan, WY 82801 |
A simple habit
Fit fruit or vegetables into each meal, and drink water. If you often get sick, ask a clinician about causes such as sleep, stress, smoking and chronic conditions. See the healthy lung habits guide.
3-bottle pack
3 bottles: 180 capsules
Not listed on the packNot listed on the pack a bottle
Shipping shown at checkout · Guarantee as printed on the live listing
Order 3 bottles
6-bottle pack
6 bottles: 360 capsules
Not listed on the packNot listed on the pack a bottle
Shipping shown at checkout · Guarantee as printed on the live listing
Order 6 bottlesPrices are filled in once the live listing is confirmed. A single bottle is also sold. Check your medicines with your doctor or pharmacist before you order, and keep using every inhaler and prescribed medicine.
FAQ01
PureLung questions people ask
Does vitamin C prevent colds?
Not for most people.
Do smokers need more?
Yes from food, and quitting helps more.
Can vitamin C stop a cough?
No.
How much is safe?
Up to 2,000 mg a day for adults, as an upper limit.
Is it in PureLung?
No.
Who wrote this02
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label images, seller information and linked NIH, FDA, CDC, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is the information site for a U.S. authorized retailer for PureLung. It is not the manufacturer or the distributor named on the label. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
Keep reading
More about PureLung
U.S. authorized retailer for PureLung
Ready to look at PureLung?
Check your medicines first, keep every inhaler and prescribed medicine, read the directions on the bottle that arrives, then pick a pack of 1, 3 or 6 bottles. The checkout shows the live price, any shipping and the guarantee.
- Checkout runs on the sales site
- Guarantee as printed on the live listing
- Ships from the U.S.