We have been looking for decades for a cure to the common cold and we still have not found it. There are over 20 different known stain of the common cold viruses. In addition to that, these viruses are easily mutated so that becomes very difficult to find cure. Many scientists are trying to determine different alternatives and Dr. Harri Hemila, of the University of Helsinki in Finland may be on to something. Something that shortens the time you have a cold by 40%.
Researcher Dr. Harri Hemila, of the University of Helsinki in Finland, reviewed 13 placebo-controlled trials examining the effect of zinc lozenges on cold infections. Three of them found that zinc acetate in daily doses of more than 75 milligrams (mg) shortened colds’ duration by 42 percent, on average.
Five trials using zinc salts other than acetate in daily doses greater than 75 mg shortened colds by an average of 20 percent, while another five using less than 75 mg per day produced no effect.
“Much of the variation in the published study findings can be explained by the daily dose of zinc administered in the zinc lozenges,” said Hemila, who funded the research himself. “When focusing on those studies which have used large daily doses of zinc, there is strong evidence that zinc lozenges shorten the duration of colds.”
The study is published in The Open Respiratory Medicine Journal.
Zinc interacts with some medications, so consult a doctor before taking zinc supplements to insure it’s safe for you, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Your doctor can also advise you on the amount of zinc you should be taking. Because of the interactions with copper, those who take zinc long term should also take copper.
