Zinc supplements may reduce the severity and duration of illness caused by the common cold, according to a systematic review.
The new review published by The Cochrane Collaboration suggests zinc syrup, lozenges or tablets taken within a day of the onset of cold symptoms could reduce the severity and length of the illness.
The review of fifteen clinical trials found that after seven days, more patients taking zinc had cleared their symptoms compared to placebo.
“Zinc administered within 24 hours of onset of symptoms reduces the duration and severity of the common cold in healthy people … When supplemented for at least five months, it [also] reduces cold incidence, school absenteeism and prescription of antibiotics in children,” said the authors led by Meenu Singh from the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, India.
“This review strengthens the evidence for zinc as a treatment for the common cold,” said Singh
“However, at the moment, it is still difficult to make a general recommendation, because we do not know very much about the optimum dose, formulation or length of treatment,” he added.
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