Relationship: Colds (general) and zinc

Evidence supporting the use of: Zinc
For the health condition: Colds (general)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Zinc is used to support or treat the common cold, and its use is primarily justified by scientific evidence, although it is also commonly used in traditional and over-the-counter remedies. Multiple randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have investigated the effect of zinc, especially in the form of lozenges or syrup, on the duration and severity of cold symptoms. The proposed mechanism is that zinc ions may inhibit rhinovirus replication and binding in the nasal mucosa, which are common causes of the cold.

A 2013 Cochrane review found that when taken within 24 hours of symptom onset, zinc supplements (typically as lozenges) can reduce the duration of cold symptoms in healthy adults and children. Some studies also report a reduction in symptom severity. However, the evidence is mixed, with significant variation in formulation, dosage, and study design. Side effects such as nausea and an unpleasant taste are common, and long-term use is not recommended due to the risk of copper deficiency and other adverse effects.

In summary, while the evidence is not unequivocal and some studies show no effect, the preponderance of high-quality studies supports a modest benefit for zinc in reducing the duration of colds when taken soon after symptoms begin. Its use is thus justified by scientific validation, though not at the highest level of certainty.

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3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
Abies spectabilis
Abrus
Acacia
Aconite
Aerva lanata
Agastache
Ajuga
Alcohol
Algae
Allicin
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Allspice
Allyl isothiocyanate
Allyl sulfide
Aloe vera
alpha-terpineol
alpinia galangal
American Liverleaf
Amomum
Amor seco
anamu
Andrographis
andrographolide
Angelica
anthocyanins
apple
apple cider vinegar
arabinogalactan
Aralia
Arani
Ardisia
Asam gelugor
Asarum heterotropoides
ash
aster root
Asteraceae
astragalus
atractylodes
atractylone
avens
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
Baikal Skullcap
balsam
bamboo
banyan
Baphicacanthus cusia
barberry
Barleria
basil
Bassia scoparia
bayleaf
bee hive
bee pollen
bee products
bee propolis
Belamcanda
benegut perilla (proprietary)
bermuda grass
berry
beta-pinene
Bidens pilosa
bioflavonoids
birch
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
bitter principals
black cumin
black currant
black galingale
black garlic
black nightshade
black pepper
black salt
black seed
black tea
blackberry
blackboard tree
blackthorn
Blepharis
blueberry
Boerhavia diffusa
Bombax
boneset
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
borneol
Bougainvillea
boxthorne
Broussonetia
buckthorn
Buddha\'s hand
Bupleurum
bupleurum falcatum
bur-reed
burdock
Butea monosperma
bасора
cajuput
calamus
Camellia sinensis
capillary artemisia
capsaicin
capsaicinoids
capsicum
cardamom
carrot
Carthamus
carvacrol
cassia bark
caterpillar mushroom
cayenne pepper
Celosia
chamomile
Chinese mountain ant
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chive
Chlorophytum
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chrysophanics
cineole
cinnamaldehyde
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Cistus
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citrus sinensis (proprietary)
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commiphora
common madia
coriander
costus
cowherb
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culvers Root
cumin
Curcuma
curcumen
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curry leaf
David\'s milkberry
deoxyandrographolides
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dodder
dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/tetraenoic acid isobutylamide
dodeca-2E, 4E-dienoic acid isobutylamide
dog rose
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dulse leaf
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echinacea purpurea
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eucalyptus
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fat liver oil
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forsythia
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fruit
fulvic acid
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gamma-terpinene
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garlic
garlic bulb
giant blazingstar
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ginger
ginseng
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iridoid glycosides
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labrador tea
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
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lemongrass
lichen
licorice root
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pineapple
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pistacia integerrima gall
plantain
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quercetin
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rhizome
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Yeast
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Yerba buena
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Yuzu
zanthoxylum
Zinc
Zingerone
Zingiberene
Zucchini

Other health conditions supported by Zinc

Abrasions
Acne
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Anemia
Anorexia
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Athlete's Foot
Attention Deficit Disorder
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia
Birth Defects (prevention)
Bites and Stings
Blisters
Body Building
Body Odor
Boils
Broken Bones
Bruises (healing)
Bulimia
Burns and Scalds
Calcium Deficiency
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Cardiovascular Disease
Cartilage Damage
Cataracts
Celiac Disease
Cervical Dysplasia
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Cholera
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colitis
Concentration (poor)
Congestion
Congestive Heart Failure
Conjunctivitis
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Copper Toxicity
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cradle Cap
Cramps (menstrual)
Crohn's Disease
Cuts
Cystic Fibrosis
Dandruff
Debility
Dehydration
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diaper Rash
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Duodenal Ulcers
Dysentery
Eczema
Endometriosis
Energy (lack of)
Enteritis
Epstein Barr Virus
Erectile Dysfunction
Exercise
Eye Infections
Eye Problems
Eyes (red or itching)
Eyes (spots before)
Eyesight (poor)
Failure to Thrive
Fat Metabolism (poor)
Fatty Liver Disease
Fibrosis
Fingernails (weak or brittle)
Foot Odor
Free Radical Damage
Gastritis
Giardia
Gingivitis
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Halitosis
Hashimoto's Disease
Hearing Loss
Heart (weakness)
Heavy Metal Poisoning
Hemochromatosis
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Herpes
Hypothyroid
Impetigo
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
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Insomnia
Irritability
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Itching
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Jock Itch
Labor and Delivery
Lead Poisoning
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Lesions
Leucorrhea
Liver Detoxification
Lupus
Macular Degeneration
Mastitis
Measles
Memory and Brain Function
Menorrhagia
Menstrual Irregularity
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Miscarriage (prevention)
Mononucleosis
Mood Swings
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Night Blindness
Nursing
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Oral Surgery
Osteoporosis
Pancreatitis
PMS (general)
PMS Type A
PMS Type C
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
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Pneumonia
Poison Ivy or Oak
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
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Prostatitis
Protein Digestion (poor)
Psoriasis
Puberty (hormone balancer)
Rashes and Hives
Rhinitis
Rosacea
Scars / Scar Tissue
Schizophrenia
Scratches and Abrasions
Seborrhea
Sex Drive (low)
Shingles
Sickle Cell Anemia
Sinus Infection
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin (infections)
Skin (oily)
Skin Care (general)
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
Smell (loss of)
Sore or Geographic Tongue
Sore Throat
Stress
Stye
Sugar Cravings
Sunburn
Surgery (healing from)
Surgery (preparation for)
Syphilis
Teeth (loose)
Testosterone (low)
Thinking (cloudy)
Tickle in Throat
Tonsillitis
Tooth Decay
Toxemia
Triglycerides (high)
Tuberculosis
Ulcerations (external)
Ulcers
Vitiligo
Warts
Wasting
Worry
Wounds and Sores

Products containing Zinc

Health Concerns

Brands

Evidence supporting the use of: Zinc
For the health condition: Colds (general)

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Colds (general)

Other health conditions supported by Zinc

Products containing Zinc

Health Concerns

Brands

Evidence supporting the use of: ZincFor the health condition: Colds (general)

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Colds (general)

Other health conditions supported by Zinc

Products containing Zinc

Evidence supporting the use of: Zinc
For the health condition: Colds (general)