The common cold is the number one cause of absenteeism from schools and work. On an average, adults are affected by the common cold 2-4 times/ year and children 6-8 times/ year. There really is no simple treatment for the common cold, as it can be caused by any of the 20 different virus varieties including rhinovirus, coronavirus, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza virus. There is just symptomatic treatment available at best.

However, research pioneered by Dr. Ananda Prasad (Professor at Wayne State University, Michigan), suggests that taking zinc supplements can shorten the duration of colds by almost 40%. Zinc not only reduced the duration of the cold, but it also seemed to decrease the severity of the symptoms such as sore throat, coughing, nasal discharge, sneezing, stuffy nose, muscle ache, fever, and headache.

According to Dr. Prasad, zinc acts as an antioxidant. The cold viruses increase oxidative stress, which leads to activation of macrophages and monocytes (cells in the immune system) and results in increased production of both the inflammatory cytokines and the anti-inflammatory product called soluble IL-1ra. However, zinc supplementation lead to a decrease in soluble IL-1ra levels which indicates a decreased activation of monocytes and macrophages and decreased oxidative stress.

Zinc is an essential mineral for good health

Zinc is required for the functioning of over 300 enzymes and is involved in many important cellular processes within the body. It metabolizes nutrients, maintains the immune system, helps in the growth and repair of body tissues, and aides in wound healing.

Our body does not store zinc, so we need to consume enough every day to ensure we meet the daily nutritional requirements. The recommended daily requirement of zinc is 11 mg /day for men and 8 mg/day for women. Foods that are rich sources of zinc are meats (particularly red meat), shellfish, legumes( chickpeas, lentils and beans), seeds, nuts, eggs, dairy, wholegrains (wheat, quinoa, rice and oats), vegetables such as potatoes, green beans and kale, and wait for it…. dark chocolate!

Zinc for the treatment of the common cold?

It is critical that zinc is consumed in the proper form, for it to have any therapeutic effect. For the treatment of the common cold >75 mg of elemental zinc is to be consumed orally. Zinc therapy must commence within 24 h of the onset of cold symptoms. Further, the chemical formulation should be optimal so that zinc is ionized in the mouth of the individual (at pH 7.4). In order to aid in ionization, zinc in the form of either zinc acetate and zinc gluconate are good salts to use. However, if citric acid, glycine, tartarate, and other binders are used it will prevent the ionization process. Further , common cold cannot be treated by swallowing zinc tablets, zinc syrup, or zinc lozenges. Zinc lozenges must be consumed orally and allowed to dissolve slowly in the mouth, which will then allow ionic zinc to be released, absorbed, and transported to the infected nose.

Take Home: Next time you suffer from a cold think zinc!