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Question:
Can zinc lozenges really help fight the common cold?
Answer:
Yes. Several double-blind clinical trials have found that lozenges containing zinc significantly reduced the average duration of the common cold. Typically, the lozenges used contained 23 mg of elemental zinc, dissolved in the mouth every waking hour after an initial double dose. In one study, after seven days, eighty-six percent of the patients were symptom-free, compared to only forty-six percent of those treated with placebo. Apparently zinc works in two ways: by reducing the ability of viruses to reproduce, and by boosting other aspects of immune function. This study led to an explosion of interest in the use of zinc as a strategy for reducing the severity of colds.
Not all studies on zinc have produced positive results. It appears that, to be effective, zinc lozenges must be free of sorbitol, mannitol, and citric acid. These compounds bind with the zinc and reduce its effectiveness. The best lozenges are those that utilize the amino acid glycine as a sweetener. Use lozenges that supply 15 to 25 mg of elemental zinc. If you feel a cold coming on, take a double dose, then take one tablet every two hours. Let the tablet dissolve in your mouth. Since too much zinc can have the undesired effect of lowering immune function, I recommend that you take a total dose of no more than 150 mg a day for no more than a week.
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