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Kay · 11-16-2005, 07:34 AM

Zinc:
Zinc lozenges may work in several possible ways to shorten the duration of a cold. For example, zinc might prevent the formation of proteins that are needed by a cold virus to reproduce itself and increase its own numbers. Without duplication of the virus, the cold symptoms will cease. Zinc also may attach to proteins that are located on the edge of a cold virus. This attachment impairs the ability of the virus to enter the body's cells, notably those in the respiratory system (the nose, throat, and lungs). Finally, in an undefined manner, zinc salts may protect and stabilize the lining of the cells, which thereby reduces the chance that the virus will penetrate the cells.

Clinical Study: In a placebo-controlled study involving 100 volunteers, cold symptoms lasted only 4.4 days for people taking 13.3 mg of zinc every two hours, as compared to 7.6 days for those taking placebo (Mossad, et al. 1996)

Clinical Study: Results of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study showed that 86% of 37 people who took zinc tablets reported that their cold symptoms were gone in seven days, compared to only 46% of the 28 people who took placebo. The dosage of zinc was 23 mg every two hours (Eby, et al. 1984).

Clinical Study: In 35 people who began treatment with zinc lozenges one day after cold symptoms began, the duration of symptoms was 4.3 days, as compared to 9.2 days for the 38 who took placebo. Zinc dosage was 23.7 mg taken at two hour intervals (Godfrey, et al. 1992).

Clinical study: Results of two studies involving a total of 77 people showed that zinc gluconate lozenges were ineffective in reducing the duration or severity of cold symptoms (Farr, et al. 1987).

Human studies: Significantly reduces the duration of symptoms of the common cold. Anecdotal reports as well as the results of one study suggest that the sooner the zinc treatment is started, the sooner cold symptoms improve.

Laboratory Study: Inhibits the reproduction of viruses known to cause colds.
At recommended dosages, zinc is generally well tolerated by most people. The most common side effects reported in the clinical trials using zinc lozenges for colds were unpleasant taste, minor mouth irritation, and gastrointestinal upset such as nausea and/or vomiting.

Taking more than 100 mg a day of zinc for extended periods of time could result in problems such as depressed immune function and imbalances in levels of copper. The use of high doses of zinc for longer than seven days at a time is not recommended.

11-16-2005, 07:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
Kay I love Derf!! Join Date: Jul 16 2004 Location: NH Posts: 871 Rep Power: 5	Zinc: Zinc lozenges may work in several possible ways to shorten the duration of a cold. For example, zinc might prevent the formation of proteins that are needed by a cold virus to reproduce itself and increase its own numbers. Without duplication of the virus, the cold symptoms will cease. Zinc also may attach to proteins that are located on the edge of a cold virus. This attachment impairs the ability of the virus to enter the body's cells, notably those in the respiratory system (the nose, throat, and lungs). Finally, in an undefined manner, zinc salts may protect and stabilize the lining of the cells, which thereby reduces the chance that the virus will penetrate the cells. Clinical Study: In a placebo-controlled study involving 100 volunteers, cold symptoms lasted only 4.4 days for people taking 13.3 mg of zinc every two hours, as compared to 7.6 days for those taking placebo (Mossad, et al. 1996) Clinical Study: Results of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study showed that 86% of 37 people who took zinc tablets reported that their cold symptoms were gone in seven days, compared to only 46% of the 28 people who took placebo. The dosage of zinc was 23 mg every two hours (Eby, et al. 1984). Clinical Study: In 35 people who began treatment with zinc lozenges one day after cold symptoms began, the duration of symptoms was 4.3 days, as compared to 9.2 days for the 38 who took placebo. Zinc dosage was 23.7 mg taken at two hour intervals (Godfrey, et al. 1992). Clinical study: Results of two studies involving a total of 77 people showed that zinc gluconate lozenges were ineffective in reducing the duration or severity of cold symptoms (Farr, et al. 1987). Human studies: Significantly reduces the duration of symptoms of the common cold. Anecdotal reports as well as the results of one study suggest that the sooner the zinc treatment is started, the sooner cold symptoms improve. Laboratory Study: Inhibits the reproduction of viruses known to cause colds. At recommended dosages, zinc is generally well tolerated by most people. The most common side effects reported in the clinical trials using zinc lozenges for colds were unpleasant taste, minor mouth irritation, and gastrointestinal upset such as nausea and/or vomiting. Taking more than 100 mg a day of zinc for extended periods of time could result in problems such as depressed immune function and imbalances in levels of copper. The use of high doses of zinc for longer than seven days at a time is not recommended.