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.
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?