Medical expert of the article
New publications
Preparations
Zinc for colds: yes or no?
Last reviewed: 10.08.2022
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Zinc for cold causes ambiguous reviews of doctors. It is a natural substance that is found in almost every cell of the human body. Zinc is one of those minerals that doctors recommend to include in the daily diet. Zinc has the properties of an antioxidant, which helps the body fight infections, and restore living tissues. To get zinc from natural sources, you need to include in the diet red meat, seeds, nuts, milk, beans and cheese. Will these tricks save for cold?
Read also:
New research on the effect of zinc on the body
The study, published on February 15, 2011, suggests that taking zinc in the form of syrup or tablets, during the first few days of a cold, it is possible to weaken the consequences of an upper respiratory infection.
The review also showed that zinc can reduce the number of days missed by children in school by illness, and avoid the use of antibiotics for cold complications. Zinc can also help prevent colds in people who have used it for five months or more.
In a review of 15 studies with 1360 participants, which was published by the international group Cochrane in collaboration with many scientists, the data of the therapeutic intervention were considered. They showed that there is no conclusive evidence to recommend zinc as an aid for colds.
"Recent studies support the use of zinc tablets to treat colds," said researcher M. Singh, MD, a children's pulmonologist at the Institute of Medical Research in Chandigarh, India.
Zinc compared with placebo
A total of 13 trials of zinc exposure compared with placebo on the body of people aged 65 years suffering from early cold symptoms, including sore throat, headache, cough, fever, runny nose or nasal congestion, sneezing, hoarseness of the voice and pain in the muscles.
The results of six studies showed that when zinc is taken during the first 24 hours of the cold, its duration is reduced by about a day.
The results of five studies involving more than 500 people showed that people who used zinc received less severe cold symptoms than patients who received placebo.
An analysis of two combined studies involving more than 1,500 people showed a 40% reduction in the number of colds in those who took zinc supplements to prevent colds compared with patients receiving placebo.
Some people indicated side effects when taking zinc - nausea or metallic taste in the mouth.
Although this news gives us hope that we can now more effectively fight the cold with natural methods, the researchers believe that they have not yet gathered enough evidence to give people guidance on how much zinc is needed to prevent colds or how long it needs to be taken accept.
How does zinc fight the common cold?
"Zinc works in two ways," says Ananda Prasad, MD, professor of internal medicine at Wayne State University, a school of medicine in Detroit, who devoted his career to investigating the effects of zinc on the immune system.
First, zinc affects the ability to multiply rhinoviruses, which cause about 80% of all colds. Secondly, zinc is able to block their ability to destroy cell membranes, and then cause infection. "
The effect of zinc on the duration of the common cold
In 2008, Prasad published the results of a study on the effect on the body of zinc compared with placebo in 50 of its participants.
Half of the study participants received 13.3 milligrams of zinc in tablets every 3-4 hours, and the other half of the subjects received soluble plates with inactive ingredients, but they were told that it was zinc.
"Usually a cold takes about eight days before a person becomes healthy," says Prasad, "but zinc reduces the duration of the illness by about 50%."
Participants in the study who took zinc had a cold for about four days compared to seven days of those who received the placebo.
"So far, as far as I know, there is nothing more effective than zinc in the fight against the common cold," says Dr. Prasad.
Medical experts still believe that more research is needed before they can deduce the most effective recommendations for taking zinc during a cold or for preventing it. Doctors believe that in high doses - more than 40 milligrams a day - zinc can cause dizziness, headache, drowsiness, excessive sweating, loss of muscle coordination, alcohol intolerance, hallucinations and anemia.
They also oppose the use of nasal sprays with zinc, which, according to some sources, can lead to loss of smell.
Zinc for colds can do a good job, but since these data are not yet fully tested, always consult your doctor before deciding on a cold treatment strategy .
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Zinc for colds: yes or no?" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.