Vitamin C vs Zinc: Which One Your Immune System Needs
Neither vitamin C nor zinc is categorically better for immune health. They work through different biological pathways, and the clinical evidence for each points to distinct use cases: vitamin C for daily maintenance and general immune support, zinc for shortening the duration of an active cold when taken early as a lozenge. For most well-nourished adults, both nutrients are obtainable through diet , and supplementation makes the most sense when you have a confirmed deficiency, a restricted diet, or you’re in the first 24 hours of cold symptoms. Here’s what the evidence actually says. Quick reference: Vitamin C: Best evidence for daily immune maintenance, reducing cold severity, and supporting leukocyte function. RDA is 75–90 mg/day for adults; trials typically use 500–1,000 mg. Zinc: Best evidence for shortening cold duration when taken as a lozenge at cold onset. RDA is 8–11 mg/day; the NIH tolerable upper intake level is 40 mg/day for adults. Together:...