Zinc is not a miracle worker, but thanks to a new examination of study data, it is now proven to be one of the only options that can effectively treat the common cold.
The Cochrane Collaboration, which evaluates medical research from throughout the world, found that Zinc (in lozenge or syrup form) reduces the common cold by about one day if taken within 24 hours of the onset of cold symptoms. This may not seem like much, but it is substantial when you consider the hundreds of millions of work and school days that are lost to the common cold.
Pediatrician Meenu Singh of India led the research effort, which included 15 controlled studies and 1,360 people. Dr. Singh and his team also made another important discovery – people who took zinc lozenges or syrup also experienced milder symptoms.
The research also found that children who took zinc regularly for a period of five months or more experienced less occurrences of the common cold, which led to better school attendance. Dr. Singh did warn, however, that a regular zinc program should be administered through a doctor because zinc can interfere with other metals in the body, and the consequences of taking zinc over the long term are unclear.
The exact reason that zinc helps to reduce the length and severity of the common cold is unclear, but it is believed to prevent the replication of the rhinovirus, which is often the cause of the common cold.
In summary, the research showed that zinc is worth a shot when a person feels the first signs of a cold. It certainly can’t hurt to take zinc, unless you take lozenges, which can sometimes cause nausea and diarrhea. The medical benefits appear to outweigh the risks, however.
Important note: Zinc was previously available in the U.S. as a nasal spray called Zicam. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration told Matrixx Initiatives to stop selling the product in 2009 after more than 130 consumers apparently lost their sense of smell. But don’t worry about taking lozenges or syrups, Singh said, because there is no evidence that those formulations can cause olfactory problems.
Although the positive effects of zinc were tangible, the researchers said that there was great variability among the 15 study populations, in terms of the different doses, formulations and durations for zinc intake. In other words, more studies are necessary to determine the optimal dosage, formulation and duration of treatment for zinc.
Click here for the full study results.
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