An NHS GP has shared a straightforward and budget-friendly solution to tackling common colds and flu. Doctor Shireen, known on TikTok as @doctorshireen, revealed her personal approach, insisting “it really works”.
In her video, she described the method as “extremely easy” and promised it can “reduce the duration and severity of any cold you have this winter”.
She urged followers to try it, calling it “the best investment of your time”, and stressed that at the earliest symptoms of illness, such as a scratchy throat or streaming nose, swift action is essential.
She explained: “The second notice an itchy throat, a runny nose, itchy, burning eyes – anything that might suggest you’ve got a cough or cold coming – what I want you to do is take two things – vitamin C and zinc”.
Vitamin C supplements won’t break the bank, with Tesco offering a pack of 30 for £1.25, working out at just over 4p a day. Or you can get Tesco Health Vitamin C & Zinc Tablets, which come in a pack of 120, for £3.50, meaning you get both vitamins for less than 3p a day, reports Surrey Live.
For those who struggle with swallowing pills, she noted: “You can actually get tablets that you can pop into water – just start it. You can’t prevent coughs or colds, but research is out there to show that taking zinc and vitamin C reduces the duration and severity. I’ve personally been doing this for the last couple of years and I can tell you it really works.”
However, individuals should seek medical guidance when starting supplements to ensure they are suitable for use.
This caution emerges as another NHS GP, Dr Karan Raj, explained that “if you consume too much calcium, either in supplement form or in food, this can actually impact the iron absorption,” which is essential if you’re on iron tablets.
This happens because “calcium competes with iron for absorption in your intestines. High calcium also has an impact on your body’s ability to absorb non heme iron”. This represents the variety of iron present in many plant-based foods, he explained.
This is why it’s frequently advised to consume iron tablets alongside a source of Vitamin C to boost absorption – and as noted previously, these can be bought cheaply at most supermarkets and provide numerous advantages.
With this in mind, the doctor recommends that when you next eat breakfast, think about consuming “calcium and iron at different times of the day, at least a few hours apart. So if you’re drinking milk, eating yoghurt, or consuming any calcium-rich food, consider delaying your iron supplement by a few hours.”
Why is Vitamin C good for you?
The NHS also emphasises how crucial this vitamin is stating that it:
- helps to protect cells and keeping them healthy
- helps with wound healing
- maintains healthy skin, blood vessels, bones and cartilage
What is a good source of Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is found in a wide variety of fruit and vegetables.
Good sources include:
- citrus fruit, such as oranges and orange juice
- broccoli
- strawberries
- blackcurrants
- brussels sprouts
- peppers
- potatoes
How much vitamin C do I need?
Adults between the ages of 19 and 64 require a daily intake of 40mg of vitamin C. “You should be able to get all the vitamin C you need from your daily diet. Vitamin C cannot be stored in the body, so you need it in your diet every day,” warns the NHS.
Why do I need zinc?
Zinc aids in:
- making new cells and enzymes
- wound healing
- processing carbohydrate, fat and protein in food
What are the best sources of zinc?
Zinc can be found in:
- dairy foods – such as cheese
- meat
- cereal products – such as wheatgerm
- shellfish
- bread
How much zinc do I need each day?
Men aged 19 to 64 years need about 9.5mg of zinc per day, while women need 7mg. You should be able to get all the zinc you need from your daily diet.
However, if you’re taking supplements, the NHS advises: “Do not take more than 25mg of zinc supplements a day unless advised to by a doctor.”