Does zinc really help treat colds?
Though experts are still determining the best dosage, there is ample evidence to show that zinc can shorten a cold and ease symptoms. It may only have mild benefits, but it can help if you start taking it soon after signs of a cold appear. How much zinc should you have per day?
Can taking zinc actually shorten your cold?
There's no real cure, but studies from the last several years show that some supplement containing zinc can help shorten the duratio n of cold symptoms by up to 40% — depending on the amount of the mineral in each dose and what it's combined with. Zinc has an interesting back story.
When is the best time to take zinc?
- People who have health issues or procedures that reduce absorption of minerals in the gut or in which surface area of the gut is more limited.
- Vegetarians and vegans, given that many of the top zinc dietary sources are meat-based. ...
- People who regularly consume excess alcohol, because alcohol decreases the amount of zinc that the body absorbs.
What is the Recommended Dietary Allowance for zinc?
Research on oral zinc for specific conditions shows:
- Zinc deficiency. People who have low levels of zinc appear to benefit most from zinc supplements. ...
- Colds. Evidence suggests that if zinc lozenges or syrup is taken within 24 hours after cold symptoms start, the supplement can help shorten the length of colds. ...
- Wound healing. ...
- Diarrhea. ...
- Age-related macular degeneration. ...
How much zinc should I take to get rid of a cold?
Most recently, a meta-analysis published in 2017 by Harri Hemilä at the University of Helsinki concludes that 80 to 92 milligrams per day of zinc, given at the onset of cold symptoms, reduced duration of the common cold by 33%.
Is 50 mg of zinc too much?
The National Institutes of Health considers 40 mg of zinc a day to be the upper limit dose for adults and 4 mg of zinc a day for infants under age 6 months. Don't use intranasal zinc. This form of zinc has been linked with the loss of the sense of smell.
Should you take zinc when you have a cold?
Zinc may work by preventing the rhinovirus from multiplying. It may also stop the rhinovirus from lodging in the mucous membranes of the throat and nose. Zinc may be more effective when taken in lozenge or syrup form, which allows the substance to stay in the throat and come in contact with the rhinovirus.
How much zinc and vitamin C should I take for a cold?
The German Nutrition Society recommends healthy adults a daily intake of at least 7 to 10 mg of zinc and 95 to 110 mg of vitamin C, depending on gender, to satisfy the normal need. If there is no illness or another acute deficiency situation, this can be accomplished simply by a balanced diet.
Is it OK to take vitamin C and zinc together?
In pooled analyses of both studies (n=94), vitamin C plus zinc was significantly more efficient than placebo at reducing rhinorrhoea over 5 days of treatment. Furthermore, symptom relief was quicker and the product was well tolerated.
Is 100mg of zinc too much?
Taking high amounts of zinc is LIKELY UNSAFE. High doses above the recommended amounts might cause fever, coughing, stomach pain, fatigue, and many other problems. Taking more than 100 mg of supplemental zinc daily or taking supplemental zinc for 10 or more years doubles the risk of developing prostate cancer.
Is 30 mg of zinc too much?
But zinc is possibly unsafe when used in high doses. Those over 18 years old should not take more than 40 mg of zinc daily, and those 14-18 years old should not take more than 34 mg daily while breast-feeding. Children: Zinc is likely safe when taken by mouth appropriately in recommended amounts.
What happens if you take too much zinc?
Signs of too much zinc include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and headaches. When people take too much zinc for a long time, they sometimes have problems such as low copper levels, lower immunity, and low levels of HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol).
Can you overdose on zinc?
Although some foods contain zinc well above the UL of 40 mg per day, no cases of zinc poisoning from naturally occurring zinc in food have been reported. However, zinc overdose can occur from dietary supplements or due to accidental excess ingestion. Zinc toxicity can have both acute and chronic effects.
How do you get rid of a cold in 24 hours?
While the duration of your symptoms may vary, many people wonder how to cure a cold in 24 hours or even overnight. The best way to tame a cold fast is to stay home, rest, drink plenty of fluids, gargle with salt water, take an OTC medication, and humidify the air.
Is vitamin C or zinc better for colds?
Long-term use of zinc, especially in high doses, can cause problems such as copper deficiency. Zinc may interact with drugs, including antibiotics and penicillamine (a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis). Vitamin C does not prevent colds and only slightly reduces their length and severity.
What does 50 mg of zinc do for you?
Zinc supplements are often used to slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and help protect against vision loss and blindness. One 2014 study in 72 people with AMD showed that taking 50 mg of zinc sulfate daily for 3 months slowed the progression of the disease ( 23 ).
Can I take 50 mg of zinc every other day?
Health authorities have set the tolerable upper intake level (UL) for zinc at 40 mg per day for adults. The UL is the highest recommended daily amount of a nutrient. For most people, this amount is unlikely to cause negative side effects ( 1 , 2).
How much zinc can you take in a day?
How much zinc should you take?CategoryRecommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of Zinc14-18 years9 mg/day19 years and up8 mg/dayPregnant14-18 years: 12 mg/day 19 years and over: 11 mg/dayBreastfeeding14-18 years: 13 mg/day 19 years and over: 12 mg/day7 more rows•Apr 6, 2022
Is it okay to take zinc everyday?
Including zinc in your diet every day is okay, provided it is within the recommended daily allowance, which is 8 mg for women and 11 mg for adult men. Since zinc is a trace mineral, consumption of an excess amount can cause health problems.
How long does zinc syrup help with colds?
Recently an analysis of several studies showed that zinc lozenges or syrup reduced the length of a cold by one day, especially when taken within 24 hours of the first signs and symptoms of a cold.
Does zinc have a bad taste?
As a result, it's not clear what the effective dose and treatment schedule would be. Zinc — especially in lozenge form — also has side effects, including nausea or a bad taste in the mouth. Many people who used zinc nasal sprays ...
Does zinc help with rhinovirus?
It may also stop the rhinovirus from lodging in the mucous membranes of the throat and nose. Zinc may be more effective when taken in lozenge or syrup form, which allows the substance to stay in the throat and come in contact with the rhinovirus. But the recent analysis stopped short of recommending zinc.
Can you take vitamin C and cold medicine together?
Taking vitamins and cold medications together can be tricky, so check with your health care provider if you are on medications.
Can you take zinc right away?
The key is to take zinc right away — before the cold truly sets in. Image Credit: dragana991/iStock/GettyImages. The best option is to avoid getting a cold altogether, but if you do catch one, the next best thing is to get over it fast. The mineral zinc, which is an essential trace element, may help you do just that.
Can zinc help with colds?
Even though zinc may help reduce symptoms and duration of a cold, this is one supplement you don't want to overdo. "You must be very careful when adding zinc in supplement form to ensure you're not getting too much," Dr. Oken says. Take too much zinc, and you'll prevent the absorption of copper, another essential element, ...
Can zinc be taken too much?
Take too much zinc, and you'll prevent the absorption of copper, another essential element, according to the National Academies of Sciences, Medicine and Engineering. Plus, too much zinc can cause gastrointestinal issues, Dr. Oken says.
Does zinc help with rhinovirus?
Sucking on a zinc lozenge increases the level of zinc in the upper respiratory tract's mucous membranes — that's the spot where the rhinovirus lurks when you have a cold, Dr. Oken says.
Why is zinc important?
Zinc. Zinc is a mineral that's important to the body in many ways. Zinc keeps the immune system strong, helps heal wounds, and supports normal growth. Zinc deficiency occurs frequently in developing countries. Zinc deficiency in the U.S. is rare, because most diets provide more than the recommended dietary allowance.
What is zinc used for?
Topical zinc is used to treat diaper rash and skin irritations. Zinc has also been shown to help with ulcers, ADHD, acne, sickle cell anemia, and other conditions. In addition, zinc has also been studied as a treatment for herpes, high cholesterol, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV, and more. However, the evidence of zinc's benefit for these conditions is ...
What is the recommended dietary allowance?
The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) includes the zinc you get from both the food you eat and any supplements you take. The tolerable upper intake level (UL) of a supplement is the highest amount that most people can take safely. Never take more unless your health care provider says so.
Is zinc good for macular degeneration?
Zinc may be part of an effective treatment for age-related macular degeneration, but more proof is needed. Health care providers may recommend zinc supplements for people who have zinc deficiencies. Strict vegetarians, alcohol abusers, and people who have a poor diet are at higher risk for zinc deficiency.
Can you take zinc supplements while pregnant?
People who are allergic to zinc, have HIV, or have hemochromatosis should not take zinc supplements without talking to their doctor first. Too much zinc can cause fever, cough, nausea, reduced immune function, mineral imbalances, cholesterol changes, and other issues. In pregnant women, high doses may harm the fetus.
Does zinc interact with other vitamins?
Zinc may interact with some medicines such as birth control pills and some antibiotics. Zinc can also interact with other supplements , such as calcium, magnesium, copper, and iron. If you take daily medicine or supplements, ask your healthcare provider about taking zinc. Risks.
Can you take zinc with food?
The tolerable upper intake level (UL) of a supplement is the highest amount that most people can take safely. Never take more unless your health care provider says so. Keep in mind that this upper limit includes the zinc you get from foods and supplements. To avoid irritating the stomach, take zinc with food.
How much sulfate is recommended for men?
Those doses are significantly higher than the recommended daily doses in the United States of 11 mg for men and 8 mg for women. However, the researchers noted that in other studies participants have been given daily doses of 100-150 mg for months without serious side effects.
Is zinc good for recovery?
In the recent research from the University of Helsinki, scientists said people who took a relatively high dose of zinc daily had a rate of recovery that was three times better than people who didn’t take the chemical element.
Does zinc help with colds?
Researchers in a new study say high doses of zinc significantly helped people with cold symptoms. Experts debate the validity of those findings. A new study has rekindled the debate over how effective zinc can be in preventing and treating the common cold.
Zinc May Help Shorten a Cold but Won't Help With Symptoms (or With COVID-19)
There is some evidence that sucking on zinc lozenges within 24 hours of first feeling cold symptoms may shorten its duration by a day or two, but there’s little to indicate that it eases cold symptoms, such as congestion, cough, or muscle aches.
Taking Zinc Can Make You Feel Sick
Don’t go popping zinc supplements every day thinking you're reinforcing your immune system. The amount of zinc you need daily is 11 mg for men and 8 mg for women. And the Institute of Medicine has set the tolerable upper intake level (the maximum you should consume per day) at 40 mg for adults.
Zinc May Interact With Medications
If you’re planning to take zinc supplements—even just for the duration of a cold—you should talk to your doctor about whether zinc will interact with any other medications you’re taking.
You Probably Get all the Zinc You Need in Your Diet
It’s not difficult for most Americans to meet their zinc needs with food alone, and zinc deficiency severe enough to impair immune function is rare in the U.S. Red meat, poultry, and certain types of seafood (like crab, lobster, and oysters) are the best sources of zinc. A 3-ounce burger provides about half your daily need.
What is zinc?
Zinc is a mineral your body needs in order for your immune system to function properly, among other things. It’s found naturally in proteins, including red meat, chicken, oysters, beans and nuts.
How does zinc help you fight a cold?
Even though the research on the efficacy of zinc as a cold remedy has had conflicting results, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that, “overall zinc appears to be beneficial under certain circumstances.” In fact, several studies have shown that zinc may reduce the number of days you’re sick by inhibiting the replication of the rhinovirus (the virus that’s responsible for the common cold)..
Any downside?
While your cold may be shorter, that sniffling and sneezing won’t improve in the interim. Plus, some people complain they don’t like the taste of zinc (described as metallic), it can make you nauseous and it may also reduce the effectiveness of any antibiotics or diuretics you may take, cautions the NIH.
When should I take zinc for a cold if I want to give it a try?
The few studies in favor of zinc consistently say you have to start taking zinc within 24 hours of first noticing cold symptoms—or else it’s useless. That means taking a trip to the drugstore as soon as you feel the tickle of a sore throat.
How much zinc can you take in a day?
The National Institutes of Health suggest that adult women get around eight milligrams of zinc each day, but warns against taking more than 40 milligrams daily. Double check that your dosage isn't close to or more than 40 milligrams (and remember, you'll get some zinc from the food you eat, too).
Should I be worried about any side effects?
If you've already downed more than recommended, look out for these side effects (which can indicate you're taken too high of a dose of zinc): nausea, upset stomach, a bad taste in the mouth, and diminished smell. If these symptoms don't go away, call your doc.
Is the common cold a burden?
The common cold continues to place a great burden on society in terms of suffering and economic loss. After an overview of the literature …. Vitamin C and zinc play important roles in nutrition, immune defence and maintenance of health. Intake of both is often inadequate, even in affluent populations. The common cold continues to place ...
Is zinc good for the common cold?
A combination of high-dose vitamin C plus zinc for the common cold. Vitamin C and zinc play important roles in nutrition, immune defence and maintenance of health. Intake of both is often inadequate, even in affluent populations. The common cold continues to place a great burden on society in terms of suffering and economic loss.