Have you heard of taking Vitamin C when you are feeling a bit under the weather? Well, I do and I can attest that it has helped me. Now is my response to the supplement psychosomatic or is there a good reason for why I take vitamin C when I start feeling like I have something coming on?
I've been reading some articles about Vitamin C (VC) and it's benefit for the common cold and some other ailments. Most purport that VC has no direct effect on fighting the common cold or other viruses. Not being an MD or any other type of trained physician, I would have to say, based on my intuition and experience, that VC has an indirect effect on such things. First, through the strengthening of the immune system; and second through the psychosomatic response.
Whenever I think of the psychosomatic response I am reminded of the skit on SNL with Billy Crystal where he plays this guy who is possessed with looking good. He is trying to argue which is better, to look good or to feel good. He says it is better to look good than to feel good, because when you look good you feel good. Then he argues the case for feeling good. He says it is better to feeling good, because when you feel good you look good, and after all it is most important to look good. I don't remember the exact lines right now, but I love that argument because he is describing the psychosomatic response. That if you feel good then you look good, and vice versa.
So I say, if you believe VC helps make you feel better when you are feeling punk, then take it. It's water-soluble and you can take mega doses without harm. My intuition tells me that the effect VC has is both psychosomatic and physiological. It will help strength the immune system and therefore fight off any bacterial or viral infections.
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