Introduction
You've probably heard a lot about zinc for colds. But is zinc really effective for reducing the duration of cold symptoms? Here's what you should know about zinc and colds.
What is zinc?
Zinc is an essential mineral that is found in almost every cell. Zinc has antioxidant effects and is vital to the body's resistance to infection. It's also important for tissue repair.
Zinc is found naturally in shellfish, beef and other red meats, nuts and seeds, beans, and milk and cheese. Tea, coffee, and certain medications may interfere with zinc absorption in the intestines.
Is zinc an effective cold remedy?
Researchers have studied the use of zinc as a cold remedy and as a way to treat the cold virus. Still, the data from years of scientific studies is mixed.
In some studies, researchers found that zinc lozenges or nasal sprays decreased the duration of colds. In other studies, they found no differences in cold symptoms between those who took zinc and those who took a placebo or sugar pill.
What do these findings on zinc and colds mean to you and your family? For now, the study results on using zinc as a cold remedy are inconclusive. For every study showing a positive benefit with zinc, there's another study showing no benefit at all. In fact, it's believed that if there is any benefit in taking zinc or zinc lozenges, it is very minor.
Is zinc a safe cold remedy?
The effectiveness of zinc as a cold remedy relies on frequent dosing during the illness, which means zinc lozenges must be taken every two to four hours. Short-term use of zinc — less than 5 days — has not lead to serious side effects but can cause mouth irritation and stomach upset. However, experts recommend that zinc should not be taken for more than 5 days. Long-term use of zinc — for more than 6 weeks — can lead to copper deficiency.
Zinc nasal sprays are known to cause a loss of the sense of smell in animals, and there have been several reports of people losing their sense of smell from zinc nasal sprays. Due to this risk of a loss of smell, many experts recommend that you avoid zinc nasal sprays completely.
Zinc supplements are not recommended for children as they are even more sensitive to zinc and develop side effects at much lower zinc levels.
Yes, zinc is necessary for optimal health and is safe to take when ingested through food sources such as seafood and eggs. But supplementing with higher doses of zinc, particularly long term, can be toxic.

QUESTION
Which illness is known as a viral upper respiratory tract infection? See AnswerWhat's the bottom line on zinc and colds?
While some research has shown some benefit from zinc lozenges and nasal sprays, studies have been inconsistent and additional research is needed to see if, in fact, zinc is an effective cold remedy. Zinc's side effects may outweigh any potential benefit and the benefit may be minimal at best.
WebMD Medical Reference
Sources: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: "Zinc." American Family Physicians: "Treatment of the Common Cold." Scientific American: "No proof zinc lozenges help cold symptoms." US Pharmacist: "Zinc and the Common Cold: What Pharmacists Need to Know." Medscape: "Efficacy of Zinc Lozenges Against Common Cold Viruses." Oregon State University, Micronutrient Information Center: "Zinc."
Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD on December 18, 2007
© 2007 WebMD, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Summary
Zinc is a natural mineral found in the cells of the body. Zinc is also found naturally in beef, red meats, nuts, seeds, beans, milk, cheese and shellfish. There has been wide controversy in regard to the effect of zinc on the common cold. Some studies suggest it is beneficial to help the common cold, while others cannot find a direct link.
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Related Disease Conditions
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Upper Respiratory Infection (URTI)
An upper respiratory infection is a contagious infection of the structures of the upper respiratory tract, which includes the sinuses, nasal passages, pharynx, and larynx. Common causes of an upper respiratory infection include bacteria and viruses such as rhinoviruses, group A streptococci, influenza, respiratory syncytial, whooping cough, diphtheria, and Epstein-Barr. Examples of symptoms of upper respiratory infection include sneezing, sore throat, cough, fever, and nasal congestion. Treatment of upper respiratory infections are based upon the cause. Generally, viral infections are treated symptomatically with over-the-counter (OTC) medication and home remedies.
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Common Cold
The common cold (viral upper respiratory tract infection) is a contagious illness that may be caused by various viruses. Symptoms include a stuffy nose, headache, cough, sore throat, and maybe a fever. Antibiotics have no effect upon the common cold, and there is no evidence that zinc and vitamin C are effective treatments.
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How Do You Get Rid of a Cold Overnight?
Cold symptoms are part of your body’s healing processes. Most of the time, it does not require any help. However, you can get rid of a cold faster, even overnight, by resting, drinking hot fluids, blowing your nose, gargling with salt water, taking a hot shower, using a humidifier and taking OTC pain relievers and decongestants.
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Common Cold: Stages and Timeline of Symptom Progression
The common cold or viral rhinitis is an upper respiratory infection caused by several types of viruses. It is one of the most common infectious diseases affecting humans. A common cold may typically follow a certain pattern of progression that has four different stages.
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Flu (Influenza)
Influenza (flu) is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. The flu may be prevented with an annual influenza vaccination.
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Cold, Flu, Allergy Treatments
Before treating a cold, the flu, or allergies with over-the-counter (OTC) medications, it's important to know what's causing the symptoms, which symptoms one wishes to relieve, and the active ingredients in the OTC product. Taking products that only contain the medications needed for relieving your symptoms prevents ingestion of unnecessary medications and reduces the chances of side effects.
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What Happens if a Pregnant Woman Gets a Cold?
Having an ordinary cold shouldn't be harmful to the baby or mother. Pregnant women are highly likely to pick up a cold at some time during pregnancy because it's normal to catch two or three colds a year. A healthy lifestyle is a must to keep the immune system strong and to prevent colds.
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How Can I Help My Baby With a Stuffy Nose?
It is distressing to all mothers to see their little ones with a stuffy nose and a cold. When your baby is irritable and does not eat, it makes you and your whole family anxious. Fortunately, there are various ways to help your baby with a stuffy nose including steam inhalation, hydration, using tissues and other strategies.
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