Zinc supplements possibly prescribed to heal injuries and enhance immunity seem to be beneficial for tackling common cold too. A latest study suggests that intake of zinc supplements aids in lowering the severity and duration of illness caused by the common cold. The study findings may have great significance in the health-space.
As a part of the study, 15 trials which encompassed data on 1,360 people were evaluated. It was pointed out that zinc syrup, lozenges or tablets taken within a day of the onset of cold symptoms presumably decline the severity and length of illness. After seven days, majority of the patients depended on zinc supplements probably had cleared their symptoms as compared to those consuming placebos.
“This review strengthens the evidence for zinc as a treatment for the common cold,” explained lead author Meenu Singh of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, India. “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.”
Kids that consumed zinc syrup or lozenges for five months or longer apparently experienced fewer incidents of cold. Authors also noted that intake of zinc reduced antibiotic use in children, which is important because overuse possibly has implications for antibiotic resistance. Further investigations will be undertaken to list down the seeming benefits of zinc for asthmatics.
The study is published in The Cochrane Library.