Zinc lozenges may shorten common cold symptoms
Friday August 19th, 2011
People suffering from a common cold could suck zinc lozenges after it was found they reduce the time they suffer the symptoms by up to 40 per cent.
An
analysis of 13 studies into the effectiveness of zinc lozenges was carried
out by the University of Helsinki, Finland.
All the research projects tested zinc lozenges against dummy - placebo - preparations without zinc.
Five used a total daily zinc dose that was less than 75mg and all found that it had no effect on the common cold.
A further five that used more than 75mg of zinc salts other than acetate every day showed an average decrease in the duration of colds of 20 per cent.
But three trials that gave participants more than 75mg of zinc acetate every day indicated a 42 per cent reduction in the duration of colds.
Dr Harri Hemila, who led the study, concluded that “since a large proportion of trial participants have remained without adverse effects, zinc lozenges might be useful for them as a treatment option for the common cold.”
The analysis is published in The Open Respiratory Medicine Journal.
Tags: Diet & Food | Flu & Viruses | Europe | Respiratory
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