Using Zinc to Treat a Cold

What is a Cold?

The common cold is a contagious disease caused by a virus. It affects mainly the nose and throat and symptoms are usually mild consisting of runny nose, sneezing, congestion, watery eyes, sore throat, and cough. It is self limiting and resolves in about a week or two. Most adults will have 1 to 2 colds per year and children may have up to 10 colds per year.

What is Zinc?

Zinc is a metallic element. It has many commercial uses. In the body, zinc is considered to be an essential trace element. This means it is needed for normal functioning but only small amounts are needed to maintain proper health. Zinc is involved in over 100 chemical reactions in the body. As a result zinc helps support a healthy immune system, is needed for wound healing, is required for DNA synthesis and helps to maintain the ability to taste and smell.

How does it help with colds?

It is not known for sure how zinc can help with a cold. There is a theory that zinc ions (the active charged zinc) inhibit the viruses that cause a cold from binding to the tissues in the sinuses.

What the research says.

There are a lot of different studies with mixed results. Many older studies had mixed results, were poorly designed and small in size. Many of the newer studies have shown a more positive benefit although most of these studies also have flaws in them. It is not clear how much of a benefit to expect from using zinc but it may decrease the duration and severity of cold symptoms. The only formulas of zinc to show a benefit were zinc acetate and zinc gluconate. The zinc gluconate was the more effective of these two.

How should I take zinc?

Zinc lozenges such as Cold-Eeze® should be started within 24 hours of onset of cold symptoms. Dissolve them in the mouth without chewing every 2 to 4 hours for a total of 6 per day (about 80mg of zinc per day) or follow the package instructions. Continue taking zinc until cold symptoms disappear. If symptoms persist for more than 7 to 10 days or fever or stomach ache develop then a doctor should be consulted.

What about Intranasal Zinc?

The research comparing oral zinc with intranasal zinc shows that the intranasal product is no more effective than the oral products. Also, there is reports of intranasal zinc causing a loss of sense of smell in some people.

This side effect is common enough that one manufacturer removed their product form the market when people started complaining to the FDA. (The company claimed they removed the product …“because the product has not developed into a viable entry in the nasal spray cold remedy category”)

As a result intranasal zinc is not recommended. Zinc lozenges are just as effective without the risk of losing your sense of smell.

Side Effects of Using Zinc.

There are some side effects that could occur while taking zinc. These include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bad (metallic) taste, mouth irritation and rarely mouth sores.

There are more severe problems from taking too much zinc over a long time. These problems can include heart problems including arrythmias, severe vomiting, dehydration, impaired immunity, anemia and copper deficiency.

Conclusion

The jury is still out on the benefits of zinc in treating the common cold but few other treatments if any show as much promise. If you chose to give it a try, stick with oral zinc lozenges with zinc gluconate. Do not use the nasal products as there is a risk of losing your ability to smell. Use the selected product at first sign of a cold until the symptoms disappear then discontinue treatment. If you have a fever or more sever symptoms see a doctor. Also see a doctor of symptoms persist beyond 7 to 10 days.

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