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Got cold symptoms? Zinc may reduce them

Posted by: Michelle Guillemard (Blackmores)
17 February 2011
5 comments

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A review published by The Cochrane Collaboration, an international not-for-profit organisation that reviews clinical trials to determine the effects of healthcare interventions, has suggested zinc could play a part in reducing the severity and length of illness caused by the common cold – if taken within a day of when symptoms start.

“Zinc administered within 24 hours of onset of symptoms reduces the duration and severity of the common cold in healthy people … When supplemented for at least five months, it [also] reduces cold incidence, school absenteeism and prescription of antibiotics in children,” said the authors led by Meenu Singh from the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, India.

“This review strengthens the evidence for zinc as a treatment for the common cold,” said Singh

Fifteen clinical trials were assessed in the review. After seven days, more patients who took zinc were symptom-free than those who took a placebo.

Read the full review here.

About zinc

Zinc is a mineral that is essential to good health as it is found in every cell of the body and is involved in many enzyme reactions. Adequate levels of zinc are critical for the proper functioning of the immune system. Zinc inhibits the growth of many viruses, including the common cold viruses. Want to know more? Take a look at why zinc is important for immunity.

Have you used zinc to relieve symptoms of the common cold?

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Hi Elenor, the authors wrote, “Evidence shows that zinc is beneficial for the common cold in healthy children and adults living in high-income countries.” They concluded that “the potential for zinc to induce adverse effects at the doses participants are required to take also needs to be determined.” However, there is no mention of the term “severe adverse reactions”. If you are concerned about zinc, you can contact one of our naturopaths for free: click on the ‘Ask a Naturopath’ link at the top of this page or phone 1800 803 760. Michelle, posted 30+ days ago. Report Abuse

hi, thanks for the response. I just read the pdf and it says more research is recommended, since there are a potentially a number of severe adverse reactions potentially stemming from zinc ingestion at the doses required to effect improvement on a cold's duration. Is that your understanding as well? Elenor , posted 30+ days ago. Report Abuse

Hi Elenor, thank you for your comments. We’ve realised the link to the study provided was actually incorrect and was taking you to an older Cochrane Review! The correct link has been amended in the blog; alternatively, you can copy and paste this link: http://www2.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab001364.html The correct review's citation is: Singh M, Das RR. Zinc for the common cold. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2011, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD001364. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001364.pub3. The results were positive in this review for zinc reducing the severity and length of the common cold. Thanks for picking up on this. Michelle, posted 30+ days ago. Report Abuse

I clicked on the study cited in this article and found that, far from a positive result, it states: "No strong evidence from trials that taking zinc can help improve the common cold" It mentioned that two trials showed weak positives, however there was a strong possibility of experimental bias - meaning they were not good trials - meaning their data is inconclusive. Meaning if you use it as a citation, you're intentionally misleading people. (No coincidence is it, that your organisation actually sells zinc tablets! Surprise!?) The study also says: "Overall, the results suggest that treatment with zinc lozenges did not reduce the duration of cold symptoms." Response? Elenor , posted 30+ days ago. Report Abuse

Interesting, Michelle! I had my zinc levels tested a few years ago and they were low–I was getting ill quite often at the time. Perhaps my GP was onto something. Thanks for the report. Rosie. Rosie, posted 30+ days ago. Report Abuse

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