Vitamin C supplementation and the common cold : Was Linus Pauling right or wrong?

摘要: In 1970 Linus Pauling claimed that vitamin C prevents and alleviates the episodes of common cold. was correct in concluding from trials published up till then, general does have biological effects on cold, but he rather over-optimistic as regards size benefit. His quantitative conclusions were based a single placebo-controlled trial schoolchildren skiing camp Swiss Alps, which significant decrease cold incidence duration group administered 1 g/day found. As children are not representative sample population, Pauling's extrapolation to population at large too bold, erring magnitude effect. Nevertheless, conclusion has physiological is major importance it conflicts with prevailing consensus only effect human beings prevent scurvy.