Unlike their counterparts in the US, most physicians in Europe and Asia consider Vitamin C an important anti-viral agent. It has a dual role of being a pro-oxidant and an antioxidant, depending on the dose and route of administration. A large body of evidence exists strongly demonstrating effectiveness of Vitamin C as an anti-viral immune response mediator among those who are physically active. Vitamin C is most beneficial among people with sufficient Vitamin C levels and, because of it, cold duration is frequently shorter and less severe.

Zinc is an essential mineral that plays several structural roles in the body. It is also known to interfere with viral ability to replicate, and has shown to reduce symptom duration of common colds by three days.

Dehydration induced by common cold or flu can produce a variety of symptoms such as fatigue, headache, nausea, lightheadedness, unclear thinking, and rapid heart rate. One liter of fluid administered intravenously will rehydrate you in minutes, something that drinking gallons of water can only accomplish after 5-8 hours.