DOES ZINC CURE THE COMMON
COLD?
Q. Does Zinc really
help a cold or boost your immune system? If so what kind and how much?
Cheryl S.
A. This year over 62 million of us will get sick
with a cold. 80 percent of those will be
school age children. Back in the late
1980’s it was discovered partly by accident that one specific form of zinc…ZINC
GLUCONATE was able to surround and destroy 9 out of 10 rhino viruses. Vitamin supplement manufacturers ran with
this research and created supplements such as Cold-Ez , Cold-B-gone etc. Since their main market was kids, they had to
provide the zinc using a “kid friendly” delivery system. By the early 1990’s zinc gluconate LOZENGES
were everywhere.
A 2011 research report from
the Cochrane Collaboration (the most extensive research on zinc gluconate to
date) revealed the following:
1. Zinc administered within 24 hours of onset of
symptoms reduces the duration and severity of the common cold in healthy
people.
2. When supplemented for at
least five months, it reduces cold incidence, school absenteeism and
prescription of antibiotics in children.
3. There is potential for zinc lozenges to
produce side effects.
I do
believe zinc lozenges work to increase your immune response and ward off
infection. The only problem I have found
is trying to find one that doesn't leave a metallic taste in my mouth.
If
you already have an infection, I would recommend 3 lozenges per day, take one
every 4 hours. As a preventative I would
suggest 1 lozenge every other day. Don’t
maintain a high dosage for an extended period of time as too much zinc can
cause an imbalance in other minerals.
Most
zinc lozenges are running from 100 to 200 mg. per lozenge and can be purchased
from any health food store, drug store or online retailer.
AMV
*Health Disclaimer: This
information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational
and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute
for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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