Does Zinc Really Work for Colds and Flu?

A meta-analysis of published data has indicated that zinc supplements have a role in preventing and treating upper respiratory infections caused by viruses (other than SARS-CoV-2) in adults. A total of 28 randomized controlled trials for zinc in preventing or treating respiratory viral infections in adults were identified by the researchers. Oral preventive doses ranged from 15 to 45 mg/day for up to one year, while treatment doses consisted of sublingual lozenge doses of 45 to 300 mg/day, or nasally administered doses of 0.9 to 2.6 mg/day. Daily zinc supplements appeared to help prevent cold and flu in ordinary community settings, while in treatment of ongoing infection, zinc seemed to help reduce symptom severity at day three of clinical illness. Generally, adverse effects attributed to the zinc treatment were minor and infrequent. The researchers concluded that “The marginal benefits, strain specificity, drug resistance, and potential risks of other over-the-counter and prescription medications makes zinc a viable ‘natural’ alternative for the self-management of non-specific [respiratory tract infections].”

Ref: MedPage Today, November 1, 2021, https://bit.ly/3EVylby