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Zinc can be an 'effective treatment' for common colds Zinc can be an 'effective treatment' for common colds
(about 1 hour later)
By Michelle Roberts Health reporter, BBC NewsBy Michelle Roberts Health reporter, BBC News
Taking zinc syrup, tablets or lozenges can lessen the severity and duration of the common cold, experts believe.Taking zinc syrup, tablets or lozenges can lessen the severity and duration of the common cold, experts believe.
A review of the available scientific evidence suggests taking zinc within a day of the onset of cold symptoms speeds recovery.A review of the available scientific evidence suggests taking zinc within a day of the onset of cold symptoms speeds recovery.
It may also help ward off colds, say the authors of the Cochrane Systematic Review that included data from 15 trials involving 1,360 people.It may also help ward off colds, say the authors of the Cochrane Systematic Review that included data from 15 trials involving 1,360 people.
But they say zinc cannot be used long-term because of toxicity concerns.But they say zinc cannot be used long-term because of toxicity concerns.
Excessive amounts can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.Excessive amounts can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.
Now more work is needed to determine the exact dosing required, say the experts.Now more work is needed to determine the exact dosing required, say the experts.
Cold virusesCold viruses
Adults catch between two to four colds a year and children up to 10 a year.Adults catch between two to four colds a year and children up to 10 a year.
There is little a person can do to avoid these infections because the viruses responsible are so commonplace.There is little a person can do to avoid these infections because the viruses responsible are so commonplace.
Cold viruses can be passed from person to person not only by coughs and sneezes but also by touching contaminated surfaces such as door handles.Cold viruses can be passed from person to person not only by coughs and sneezes but also by touching contaminated surfaces such as door handles.
There is no proven treatment for the common cold, but experts believe zinc medications may help prevent and lessen infections by coating the common cold viruses and stopping them from entering the body through the thin lining of the nose.There is no proven treatment for the common cold, but experts believe zinc medications may help prevent and lessen infections by coating the common cold viruses and stopping them from entering the body through the thin lining of the nose.
It also appears to stop the virus from replicating, at least in laboratory tests.It also appears to stop the virus from replicating, at least in laboratory tests.
There is also the suggestion that zinc aids the immune system and may dampen down some of the unpleasant reactions the body has to an invading virus.There is also the suggestion that zinc aids the immune system and may dampen down some of the unpleasant reactions the body has to an invading virus.
Speedy recoverySpeedy recovery
Lead researcher Meenu Singh, of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, India, said: "This review strengthens the evidence for zinc as a treatment for the common cold.Lead researcher Meenu Singh, of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, India, said: "This review strengthens the evidence for zinc as a treatment for the common cold.
"However, at the moment, it is still difficult to make a general recommendation, because we do not know very much about the optimum dose, formulation or length of treatment.""However, at the moment, it is still difficult to make a general recommendation, because we do not know very much about the optimum dose, formulation or length of treatment."
According to trial results, zinc syrup, lozenges or tablets taken within a day of the onset of cold symptoms reduce the severity and length of illness.According to trial results, zinc syrup, lozenges or tablets taken within a day of the onset of cold symptoms reduce the severity and length of illness.
At seven days, more of the patients who took zinc remedies every couple of hours during the daytime had cleared their symptoms compared to those who took placebos.At seven days, more of the patients who took zinc remedies every couple of hours during the daytime had cleared their symptoms compared to those who took placebos.
And children who took 15mg of zinc syrup or zinc lozenges daily for five months or longer caught fewer colds and took less time off school.And children who took 15mg of zinc syrup or zinc lozenges daily for five months or longer caught fewer colds and took less time off school.
But the 15 trials in the review all used different treatment timescales and doses, making it impossible to reach a consensus.But the 15 trials in the review all used different treatment timescales and doses, making it impossible to reach a consensus.
And the people who used zinc also reported more side effects, such as an unpleasant aftertaste or nausea, than the placebo group.And the people who used zinc also reported more side effects, such as an unpleasant aftertaste or nausea, than the placebo group.
Editor in Chief of the Cochrane Library, David Tovey, said: "This is a treatment that is showing some promise which, where treating the common cold is concerned, is unusual.Editor in Chief of the Cochrane Library, David Tovey, said: "This is a treatment that is showing some promise which, where treating the common cold is concerned, is unusual.
"Although there are many over-the-counter cold remedies already available, we are not awash with things that can stop cold symptoms or greatly reduce their severity."Although there are many over-the-counter cold remedies already available, we are not awash with things that can stop cold symptoms or greatly reduce their severity.
"But there is still uncertainty about the best doses, timings and formulations and more studies will be needed to look at this.""But there is still uncertainty about the best doses, timings and formulations and more studies will be needed to look at this."
Professor Ronald Eccles, Director of the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University, remained doubtful about zinc's benefits as a cold treatment in current formulations.Professor Ronald Eccles, Director of the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University, remained doubtful about zinc's benefits as a cold treatment in current formulations.
He said zinc's toxicity would also be a potential concern if taken over longer periods.He said zinc's toxicity would also be a potential concern if taken over longer periods.


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Being a diabetic I've been taking zinc supplements for about 15 years also get the flu jab every October and I've really not had a bad flu for years now,my doctors also give me vit D booster shots twice a year,maybe some truth to this story
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    • I used to get a couple of bad colds lasting over a week every year, but haven't had one in the last three years. Since then I never let my hands touch my face when I am in public and wash my hands when I get the opportunity. Once cold viruses on your hands get near your nose it is an expressway to enter the body. A combination of zinc and a neti pot the last time shortened my recovery to 3 days.I used to get a couple of bad colds lasting over a week every year, but haven't had one in the last three years. Since then I never let my hands touch my face when I am in public and wash my hands when I get the opportunity. Once cold viruses on your hands get near your nose it is an expressway to enter the body. A combination of zinc and a neti pot the last time shortened my recovery to 3 days.
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    • I used to get colds coughs and brochitis every winter, The Boss(wife) put me on garlic and cod liver oil pills.I've not had anything last more than a day for 15 years. Garlic is magic!I used to get colds coughs and brochitis every winter, The Boss(wife) put me on garlic and cod liver oil pills.I've not had anything last more than a day for 15 years. Garlic is magic!
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    • I do a lot of running in the past I was very susceptible to colds. 4 years ago I started using branded nasal spray (which contains Zinc) at the first sign of a cold. I also take echinacea at the start of the winter. I have gone from having 3 or 4 bad colds a year to one in the last 2 years.I do a lot of running in the past I was very susceptible to colds. 4 years ago I started using branded nasal spray (which contains Zinc) at the first sign of a cold. I also take echinacea at the start of the winter. I have gone from having 3 or 4 bad colds a year to one in the last 2 years.
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