Just In Time For Cold Season – News From Research On Zinc For Colds

Summer is definitely over. Now we can expect mostly wet, cold weather and the flu season is just around the corner. Respiratory infections are on the rise under these conditions and are causing pharmacies and doctor's offices to be full.

Even if such acute viral infections of the upper respiratory tract, as colds are correctly referred to medically, are not nearly as dangerous as the real flu caused by influenza viruses, they are still annoying and can really take a toll on those affected. And, this should not be forgotten either, they are contagious and can hit people with previous illnesses particularly hard.

Unfortunately, one of the facts about colds is that to date there is no effective therapy that is resoundingly successful against cold viruses. Much to our chagrin, the old adage “A cold lasts seven days without treatment and a week with treatment” still holds true.

Zinc Has A Prophylactic Effect And Shortens The Duration Of Colds

Research in recent years on treatment options for acute respiratory infections has focused on strengthening the immune system and less on directly attacking the viruses that cause them.In addition to vitamin C, the trace element zinc has also become the focus of researchers, with sobering results. A summary analysis by Australian scientists shows slightly positive results for the use of zinc, predominantly as lozenges, based on more than 5000 patient data, both prophylactically and therapeutically.

When administered prophylactically, zinc can prevent a few more infections than placebo. When administered therapeutically at the onset of the common cold, zinc shortens the duration of illness by 2 days compared to placebo. In the image of the old wisdom, zinc introduces the 5-day week for some people when it comes to the duration of the illness.This is not a therapeutic breakthrough, but it is a small step forward compared to other mostly ineffective therapeutic approaches.

Zinc Blocks Cold Viruses From Docking On Mucous Membranes

The trace element zinc is a cofactor of many enzymes and is therefore involved in numerous body functions. In connection with colds, it is important that it promotes the maturation of immune cells and can prevent cold viruses from attaching to mucous membrane cells in the nose, mouth and throat.

However, this requires higher daily doses than those that cover the daily requirement of 7 to 16 mg. Very different dosages have been tested in clinical studies. Prophylactically it was between 15 and 45 mg per day for a maximum of one year. More than 45 mg were used therapeutically for a maximum of 2 weeks.

Conclusion

A medical breakthrough in the treatment of colds has still not been achieved. There are no medicines that successfully combat cold viruses.

That's why every step of progress, no matter how small, is important because it opens up opportunities. With the trace element zinc, it seems possible to shorten cold-related suffering periods with little risk.