How do zicam lozenges work

Another possibility is that zinc decreases the levels of inflammatory substances in the blood called cytokines. The form of zinc supplement seems to be important. In one study, the duration of illness was significantly lower in the group receiving zinc gluconate lozenges providing None of the zinc preparations affected the severity of cold symptoms in the first 3 days of treatment.

As far as the common cold is concerned, the data suggest that while zinc is not a cold cure, it may be worth a try to shorten the duration of a cold if you can get over the metallic taste and dry mouth.

Now fast forward to the coronavirus crisis. A blog post circulating on the Internet, attributed to Dr. Robb said in a letter that he sent privately to friends but somehow found its way into the hands of some blogger who twisted the information until it dripped nonsense all over the blogosphere. Robb referred to research that had demonstrated an inhibition of the replication of many viruses, including coronaviruses, by exposure to zinc. He indicated that this could also be the case for the virus that causes COVID disease, but pointed out that he has no experimental support for the claim.

He specifically advised that this should be while lying down to give the zinc the best chance of contracting the virus. Current evidence indicates that up to mg of zinc a day over a short period does not result in zinc toxicity. Keep in mind, though, that there are no supporting studies. When we speak of zinc supplements, we are not referring to metallic zinc, but to one of its salts, such as zinc gluconate, zinc acetate or zinc citrate.

Sucking on pieces of metallic zinc is not the way to go. And one final point. Low levels of zinc in the blood have been associated with cognitive impairment.

Sounds good so far. As there are no studies in participants in whom common cold symptoms might be troublesome for example, those with underlying chronic illness, immunodeficiency, asthma, etc.

Given the variability in the populations studied no studies from low- or middle-income countries , dose, formulation and duration of zinc used in the included studies, more research is needed to address these variabilities and determine the optimal duration of treatment as well as the dosage and formulations of zinc that will produce clinical benefits without increasing adverse effects [italics mine], before making a general recommendation for zinc in treatment of the common cold.

Two years ago, the FDA warned everyone to stop using zinc-containing nasal sprays to fight colds because these sprays had been linked to more than cases of loss of smell. The Institute of Medicine set the tolerable upper limit for zinc at 40 milligrams a day for adults , less for teens and children. The glowing media reports are sure to spark the next cold rush as supplement makers crank up their zinc output. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content.

Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. Yes, indeed it works for me. Thanks a lot! Taking traditional chinese medicines are also good for the common cold. This form of medication is more holisticas most of the ingredients are natural herbs.

Precaution must be taken to ensure its prescribed by a licenced chinese medicine doctor only. Maintaining health is better than cure. I have been taking a zinc tablet with breakfast for over 30 years. I am now 64 and have only taken three sick days from work in 23 years. Zinc builds up the immune system over years, not just when you have a cold. Zinc also assits with healthy skin and aids healing.

Agreed on getting zinc from food rather than pills but must say that my aunt has been using the lozenges for colds and it seems to work for her also! Zinc absolutely works for me. I moved from NY to Singapore and was suffering lots of skin infections and colds. My housekeeper in Singapore taught me the trick of Zinc and Vitamin C.

I was skeptical at first, but decided to give it a try. For the non-believers of zinc, good luck to you. I keep a sealed bag of lozenges on-hand. As soon as I feel post nasal drip, I start taking them. As advertised, the duration and severity are, at minimum, cut in half.

They work very, very well! The effectiveness of zinc in shortening the duration of a cold also relies on regular and frequent dosing during the cold. Clinical studies on zinc lozenges have shown that taking zinc lozenges reduces the duration of cold symptoms. A recent review of more than 40 years of research on the use of zinc for colds concluded that zinc shortens the duration of the common cold. A Cochrane review evaluated the results from 15 studies involving more than 1, participants. The authors concluded that taking zinc within 24 hours of the first signs of a cold reduced cold duration and that the symptoms were less severe in people who took zinc.

The first signs of a cold may appear as little as 10 hours after infection with a cold virus, with full-blown symptoms appearing days after infection. Common symptoms that signal a cold are scratchy throat, cough, runny nose, body aches, and unexplained tiredness.

To shorten a cold, it is important to take action as soon as you notice the first signs of a cold. Even after extensive research, the exact mechanism of action by which zinc works to shorten the common cold is uncertain, but there are several theories.

Most colds are caused by a type of virus called rhinovirus, a family of more than viruses. Rhinoviruses can multiply in the upper respiratory system the nasal passages and throat. On the basis of studies that evaluated the efficacy of zinc, zinc is thought to interfere with the ability of rhinovirus to replicate.

Zinc may also interfere with cold viruses attaching to cells in the lining of the nose and throat. Research indicates that cold-shortening results may vary depending on the specific zinc formulation used and how it is administered.

Zinc lozenges and other delivery methods allow zinc to work with the body and may be the most effective for easing cold symptoms. Regular and frequent dosing during the cold is required for zinc treatments to shorten the duration of the cold.

Forty years of research investigating the use of zinc for colds indicates that zinc can shorten the duration of the common cold. In a review of 15 clinical studies involving more than 1, participants, the authors concluded that taking zinc within 24 hours of the first signs of a cold reduced cold duration.

Although the research indicates that zinc can shorten the duration of a cold, the exact mechanism of action by which zinc works is uncertain. However, there are several theories.

The cold symptoms you experience — cough, sore throat, and congestion — are effects of the immune response to the cold virus. On the basis of studies that evaluated the effect of zinc, zinc is thought to interfere with the ability of rhinovirus to replicate. Follow recommended dosing for each product.