10 best vitamins for colds adults

According to WHO, on average, every adult gets ARVI 2-4 times a year.¹. As a rule, with a mild course of the disease, only symptomatic treatment is sufficient. This includes antipyretics, expectorants, antitussives, saline solutions for gargling and rinsing the nasopharynx, drinking plenty of fluids and vitamins.². 

Most often, doctors focus on ascorbic acid. Being an antioxidant, vitamin C neutralizes free radicals – substances that accumulate in our body, cause early aging and the development of various diseases. Vitamin C activates the synthesis of white blood cells, which provide immune protection³. Ascorbic acid also enhances the production of substances that are responsible for the barrier functions of our skin. As a result, viruses and bacteria are less likely to enter the body through the skin.

In addition, it is useful to take vitamins A and E for colds. Retinol (vitamin A) has a beneficial effect on the condition of the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity and respiratory tract. Vitamin E (tocopherol) helps the body prevent acute respiratory infections, prevents infections from damaging the body’s cell structure, and also reduces increased blood clotting and improves peripheral circulation⁴.

Vitamin D is also one of the main micronutrients involved in maintaining immunity. In the cold season, it is necessary for both children and adults, as it helps to resist viruses and not get sick in case of infection.

Rating of the top 10 inexpensive and effective vitamins for colds for adults according to KP

Along with vitamins, to combat cold symptoms, you may need to take other micronutrients: zinc, selenium, manganese, lipoic and succinic acid. Nutrients can be taken either individually or in combination (vitamin-mineral supplements). On sale you can find both synthetic additives and herbal dietary supplements.

We have compiled a list of inexpensive and effective vitamins for colds in adults, but remember that you should consult your doctor before taking them.

1. Complex in the season of colds Mirrolla

It is an additional source of vitamins D, K2, B12 and magnesium. Such a “bouquet” has a general strengthening effect, helps the body resist respiratory viral infections and normalizes the functioning of the cardiovascular system.

Contraindications: individual intolerance to the components, age up to 18 years, pregnancy and lactation.

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2. 17 herbs: antiviral complex for immunity

An antiviral immunomodulator with a wide spectrum of action contains extracts of St. John’s wort, lemon balm, juniper, wormwood, chamomile, as well as vitamin C, zinc, selenium and calcium. BAA increases the body’s resistance to viruses, speeds up metabolism, helps to normalize blood pressure and heart rate. Suitable for the prevention of any respiratory viral infections, including coronavirus. Can be used in children from 6 years of age.

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3. Vitamins for immunity for adults “AskorImmuno U”

Effective vitamins for colds for adults, including for its prevention. Dihydroquercetin in the composition is a powerful antioxidant of natural origin (extracted from Siberian larch). In combination with vitamin C, this substance has a lot of benefits for a cold body: it increases the production of antibodies, damages virus cells, improves sputum discharge and reduces coughing. The composition also contains zinc, which, in combination with ascorbic acid, helps to activate the immune system, which reduces the risk of infection and shortens the duration of the disease.

The package contains 60 capsules, which is enough for 2 courses of administration or for two family members.

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4. Vitamin C

Familiar from childhood, ascorbic acid is one of the best vitamins for colds and adults. Vitamin C is known as a powerful antioxidant and immunomodulator that increases the body’s resistance to viral and bacterial infections.

In this preparation, vitamin C is presented in the form of tablets soluble in water. This will appeal to people who have difficulty swallowing capsules and tablets.

Contraindications: individual intolerance and phenylketonuria (genetic disease).

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5. Pentaflucin immuno

As part of this domestic dietary supplement: vitamin C, magnesium, echinacea extract, zinc, rutin. Everything in the complex will help to quickly cope with a cold and recover from an illness. Echinacea purpurea polysaccharides have immunostimulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Rutin is a plant bioflavonoid that increases the absorption of ascorbic acid and has an antibacterial effect.

It is not recommended to use this dietary supplement in the presence of progressive systemic diseases (for example, tuberculosis, leukemia, multiple sclerosis), as well as during pregnancy, hepatitis B and individual intolerance to the components.

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6. AlfaVit in the season of colds 

The supplement contains an antioxidant complex of well-known vitamins and minerals (vitamins A, C, E, zinc and selenium), as well as lipoic and succinic acids, which help to remove toxins from the body. In addition, there are other vitamins in the composition: groups B, D3, as well as iron, chromium, iodine and other nutrients. So that they do not conflict with each other (compatibility of substances is different), the manufacturer distributed them into different tablets (No. 1, No. 2, No. 3), which should be taken one at a time 3 times a day.

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7. Immunity complex

The preparation contains 4 active ingredients: vitamins C and D, as well as zinc and selenium. Such a complex helps to maintain immunity, enhancing its protective functions, promotes the destruction of viruses and bacteria, and also has a powerful antioxidant effect on the body. As a bonus, you can get an improvement in appearance, since the active substances in the composition have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin, hair and nails.

You need to take the drug once a day for a month, but only after consulting a doctor.

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8. Complex of vitamins “Altayvit ABC” for colds

The dietary supplement, developed and produced in Altai, is an additional source of vitamins C, B6, beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body. There are also natural ingredients: rosehip, hawthorn, nettle and mountain ash.

This supplement can be taken not only for a quick recovery, but also as a preventive measure, and to strengthen the body. However, remember that it is important to avoid overdose! The recommended dose is 3 tablets 3 times a day.

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9. Multivitamin B

When it comes to colds, B vitamins are often unfairly forgotten. But this group of nutrients will be a good prevention for colds. The components of dietary supplements normalize the functioning of the immune system and help the body fight viruses and bacteria. In addition, B vitamins normalize the emotional state, improve the appearance of the skin, hair and nails.

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10. Revitmar

This supplement contains vitamins A, C, B1 and B2, which together increase the body’s resistance to infections. So, vitamin A activates the activity of T-lymphocytes and macrophages – immune cells that suppress the activity of infectious pathogens. Vitamins B1 and B2 are involved in metabolic processes and increase the overall tone of the body. Nutrients are “packed” in the form of a dragee, so there should not be any difficulties with taking.

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How to choose vitamins for colds for adults

First of all, it is important to understand that without the recommendations of a doctor, focusing solely on advertising or advice from the Internet, you should not buy vitamins for a cold. First of all, you need to understand whether you have a deficiency of a particular nutrient or not. Doctors say that an overdose of some vitamins is even more dangerous than hypovitaminosis.

Reviews of doctors about vitamins for colds for adults

Most experts agree that it is better to take vitamins for preventive purposes regularly and as directed by a doctor (to prevent hypervitaminosis and intoxication). So vitamins will help not get sick in the cold season. But if a runny nose with a cough could not be avoided, then it will not be superfluous to drink supplements here. However, it is important to remember: vitamins for colds should not be drunk on an empty stomach (you can harm the digestive system) and you should not take them at the same time as antibiotics if they are nevertheless prescribed by a doctor.

– Many people are convinced that a person receives all the necessary vitamins and minerals with food. However, even with a varied diet, there may be a deficiency of one or another nutrient. What can we say about people who practice various experimental diets and limit their daily diet for one reason or another. In such situations, doctors recommend taking artificially synthesized vitamins, including multivitamin complexes, says general practitioner, ultrasound doctor, family doctor Aigul Kharisova.

It is also worth understanding that not all vitamins and minerals go well with each other. However, as a rule, in multivitamin complexes this moment is taken into account: the composition of each tablet is selected according to compatibility, with the help of dyes, the tablets are sorted, each is taken at its own time during the day. Thus, “warring” substances do not enter the body at the same time.

Popular questions and answers

How to drink vitamins for adults with a cold, and are they needed at all if a cold has already happened? Our expert therapist, ultrasound doctor, family doctor Aigul Kharisova answers the most popular questions.

Sources of:

1. N.G. Berdnikov. Combination therapy of acute respiratory viral infections from the standpoint of a clinical pharmacologist // Medical Council. 2018. №6. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/kombinirovannaya-terapiya-ostryh-respiratornyh-virusnyh-infektsiy-s-pozitsiy-klinicheskogo-farmakologa/viewer
2. L.V. Luss. An integrated approach to the treatment of influenza and SARS // Medical Council. 2017. No. 5. pp. 168-173. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/kompleksnyy-podhod-k-terapii-grippa-i-orvi/viewer
3. A.A. Kirilyuk. Features of clinical pharmacology of combined antiviral drugs // Bulletin of Pharmacy. 2020. Volume 87. No. 1. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/osobennosti-klinicheskoy-farmakologii-kombinirovannyh-protivoprostudnyh-lekarstvennyh-sredstv/viewer
4. L.M. Zhitnikov. Vitamin-mineral complexes in the prevention of influenza and SARS in adults // Medical business. 2012. №3. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/vitaminno-mineralnye-kompleksy-v-profilaktike-grippa-i-orvi-u-vzroslyh/viewer