Is zinc effective against coughs and colds? – healing practice

Zinc appears to shorten the duration of respiratory infections

According to a recent analysis, zinc supplements can help relieve symptoms of respiratory diseases such as coughs and sore throats. At the same time, the duration of illness can be shortened by taking zinc.

Researchers from the University of Syndney (Australia) summarized the available evidence on zinc in respiratory infections. The results suggest that zinc can help alleviate symptoms and shorten the duration of illness in many different typical infectious diseases, including the common cold, flu, and sinus infections. However, there is no clarity about an optimal dosage or formulation. The results were recently published in the renowned specialist journal “BMJ Open” released.

Respiratory infections can be long and persistent

Most respiratory infections go away on their own, but they can be persistent and arduous and put a strain on the health and economic systems with long sick leave.

Zinc is involved in many defense processes

According to the latest analysis, zinc could help overcome respiratory infections faster and with less discomfort. Because zinc plays “a key role in immunity, inflammation, tissue damage, blood pressure and in the response of tissue to a lack of oxygen”, according to the working group.

In order to be able to provide an up-to-date assessment of the effectiveness of zinc against respiratory infections, the working group reviewed 28 clinical studies with data from a total of 5446 participants from 17 English and Chinese research databases.

How was zinc administered?

The most common form of administration in the studies was zinc as a lozenge, the second most common zinc was given as a nasal spray and the third most common as a gel. The medicines contained zinc either as a zinc acetate salt or as a zinc gluconate salt. However, the dosage varied significantly between the studies. In addition, zinc was used partly to prevent and partly to treat infections.

Zinc appears to help prevent infection

Analysis of the study results from 25 studies suggests that zinc can prevent around five respiratory infections per 100 people compared to a placebo drug. Three studies also suggest that zinc can prevent serious symptoms in respiratory diseases, such as a high fever.

Zinc shortened the duration of the illness

With the use of a zinc spray or a liquid formulation that was dripped under the tongue, the infection resolved an average of two days earlier than when a placebo was given. The placebo group was twice as likely that the respiratory tract infection would last for a week than the group that received zinc supplements.

Increased risk of minor side effects

Mild side effects such as nausea and irritation of the mouth and nose occurred around 40 percent more frequently in the zinc group than in the placebo group. However, no serious side effects were observed.

Limitation of the analysis

Due to differences in the formulation, the dosage, the type of application and the quality of the work, the research group cannot make a final assessment of which zinc preparation is most effective in which dosage.

Zinc against COVID-19?

In addition, the working group makes it clear that none of the studies examined whether zinc is effective against the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The team cannot therefore judge whether zinc can help with COVID-19.

Zinc: a viable and natural alternative

Nevertheless, the researchers come to the overall conclusion that zinc is suitable for the self-treatment of respiratory infections. “In view of the low benefits and the potential risks of other over-the-counter and prescription drugs, zinc is a viable and natural alternative for self-treatment of non-specific respiratory infections,” the scientists sum up. (vb)