Taking Vitamin C or zinc will not prevent you getting a common cold. However, they may get you back on your feet more quickly and back training by reducing the length and severity of symptoms. But this may only happen if you take the supplements for the right reason, in the right form, at the right time, in the right amount. Read on.

Suggested therapy when you have a common cold:
Start taking the supplements within 48hours of feeling poorly.
Suck Zinc acetate or gluconate lozenges every 2 hours whilst you are awake (or follow manufacture's instructions on packet) Chose a brand that does not contain citric acid, sorbitol or mannitol. Take Vitamin C 500mg 4 times a day, spread through the day i.e. 2000mg i.e. 2g.

Typical brands include:
Strepsils Zinc Defence, Boots Winter Defence, Beecham's for Natural Defence and Vick's Vital

Important: Only take these supplements for as long as your symptoms last as they are 'megadose' amounts, really being used as a medicine rather than as a supplement to a healthy diet. Taking large doses of supplements over a long period of time by produce unwanted adverse side effects. The supplements should not replace the advice of your doctor

Suggested therapy to prevent a common cold:
Make sure you eat a wide variety of foods from the important food groups to ensure you get all the nutrients to strengthen your immune system. Do not neglect your fruit and vegetables ­ fresh, dried, tinned or frozen at least 5 portions a day. Many, many nutrients are involved in the immune system including zinc and Vitamin C. Find good sources of zinc in protein-rich foods such as meat, chicken, fish, eggs, peanuts, milk and Vitamin C in foods such as oranges, potatoes, kiwi fruit, frozen peas and broccoli.