Zinc

Zinc and the common cold:

Zinc and a review of randomized controlled trials: A systematic review and meta-analysis by Science M et al looked at 17 randomized controlled trials, involving 2,121 participants suggested that oral zinc supplementation may shorten the duration of cold symptoms. The team observed that zinc shortened the duration of cold symptoms by an average of 1.65 days in a total of 934 adults in 8 different studies, but no significant effect was seen among children. In addition, the researchers reported more common instances of side effects– most notably bad taste and nausea, in the zinc group (as compared to placebo group). The majority of trials reviewed in this study used zinc gluconate, zinc acetate, and zinc sulfate. The researchers observed that a reduction in the duration of cold symptoms was greater with high doses (≥75 mg versus <75 mg) of ionic zinc. In addition, the researchers reported more common instances of side effects– most notably bad taste and nausea, in the zinc group (as compared to placebo group). (2)