2006-12-13 14:49:14 · 10 answers · asked by David G 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ First Aid
It's not just zinc, but the exact zinc compounds which make a difference. I'm linking a very thorough article from US Pharmacist's website. Basically, zinc compounds won't prevent you from getting a cold, but it will noticably lessen the symptoms. Additionally, the treatment is most effective when you start it within 24 hours of having cold symptoms.
http://www.uspharmacist.com/oldformat.asp?url=newlook/files/Alte/feat2.cfm&pub_id=
2006-12-13 14:55:38 · answer #1 · answered by Melora Quinn 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Zinc has been found to help reduce the duration & severity of common colds. Vitamins E and more recently D have been noted as being important to immune function as well.
Homeopathic remedies, however, don't contain enough to make a difference and act mainly via a placebo effect.
2006-12-13 22:59:54 · answer #2 · answered by John's Secret Identity™ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Zinc and the common cold
The effect of zinc treatments on the severity or duration of cold symptoms is controversial. A study of over 100 employees of the Cleveland Clinic indicated that zinc lozenges decreased the duration of colds by one-half, although no differences were seen in how long fevers lasted or the level of muscle aches (31). Other researchers examined the effect of zinc supplements on cold duration and severity in over 400 randomized subjects. In their first study, a virus was used to induce cold symptoms. The duration of illness was significantly lower in the group receiving zinc gluconate lozenges (providing 13.3 mg zinc) but not in the group receiving zinc acetate lozenges (providing 5 or 11.5 mg zinc). None of the zinc preparations affected the severity of cold symptoms in the first 3 days of treatment. In the second study, which examined the effects of zinc supplements on duration and severity of natural colds, no differences were seen between individuals receiving zinc and those receiving a placebo (sugar pill) (32). Recent research suggests that the effect of zinc may be influenced by the ability of the specific supplement formula to deliver zinc ions to the oral mucosa (32). Additional research is needed to determine whether zinc compounds have any effect on the common cold.
2006-12-13 22:54:48 · answer #3 · answered by Tim E 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it does, and taking a vitamin that contains zinc can help your immune system fight off a cold before you know you have one
2006-12-13 22:57:14 · answer #4 · answered by Iamstitch2U 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nope.
What zinc will do (as well as vitamin c) is improve the strength of your immune system, so in the future you will not be as susceptable to colds and other illnesses.
It will also, if you were wondering, help to heal new piercings (they won't get infected)!
2006-12-13 22:54:37 · answer #5 · answered by dothajitterbugg 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take zinc regularly and your cold will be gone in 7 days.
dont take zinc or any other medication and it will probably last a week.
2006-12-14 01:06:49 · answer #6 · answered by dirtyoldman 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes zinc with vitamin C works the best
this is what i use
2006-12-14 02:17:11 · answer #7 · answered by Stan the man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kinda
2006-12-13 22:50:42 · answer #8 · answered by Greg S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have always had good luck with it.
2006-12-13 22:54:46 · answer #9 · answered by angelk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe a day or so
2006-12-13 22:50:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋