Posted on: April 2, 2015 Posted by: Michele Lee Comments: 0

Woman with cold

Despite their colorful packaging and hype, the cold medicines sold in pharmacies won’t shorten the length of your cold. But Australian researchers say there is one remedy that can make your suffering almost half as long.

The cold virus comes in more than 100 different varieties, so the search for a definite cure of the ailment can seem just about hopeless. But high dose zinc acetate lozenges can make your overall cold about 42 percent shorter, whereas low doses aren’t effective. And their analysis shows specifically which symptoms can be most quickly vanquished.

According to this research – a review study that analyzed three other studies – zinc lozenges on average:

  • shorten the time noses run by 34 percent
  • shorten nasal congestion by 37 percent
  • end sneezing 22 percent faster
  • ease scratchy throats 33 percent sooner
  • reduce hoarseness by 43 percent
  • reduce sore throat by 18 percent
  • lessen coughing by 46 percent
  • ease muscle aches 54 percent sooner.

Originally, the researchers believed that because the zinc lozenges unleash zinc ions into saliva in the mouth and throat, those regions would be where symptom relief would be most beneficial. But the review demonstrated that zinc is just as effective for nasal problems and respiratory complaints.

They also found that uncomfortable side effects from zinc are mild and rare. They conclude: “… zinc acetate lozenges releasing zinc ions at doses of about 80 mg/day may be a useful treatment for the common cold, started within 24 hours, for a time period of less than two weeks.”

So resist the marketing hype that surrounds most of the cold “remedies” on retail shelves. Studies show that there is no good evidence that they help relieve the common cold.

What’s a high dose as opposed to a low dose? The studies used 92 mg a day as a high dose. Anything less than 75 mg a day had no effect.

And remember the “zinc lozenges” you can buy do not always have zinc acetate. Many have simply zinc citrate or gluconate, which are great for zinc in general, but are not the effective forms against cold symptoms. Also, many only have 15, 18, or 23 mg of zinc acetate in each lozenge. Make sure you get the full dose of over 80 mg of zinc acetate per day if you have a cold or feel one coming on.

Source link







Leave a Reply