Take zinc to fight a cold, say scientists.

They also say that the best way to shake off a cold is to take supplements of the trace metal zinc. While zinc is perhaps best known for protecting cars against rust, in minute quantities it has a host of important physiological functions.

research

Now a review of 15 clinical trials published since 1984 has concluded that taking supplements can reduce the length of a cold and help ward one off in the first place.

The conclusions of the Cochrane Collaboration – an Oxford-based not-for-profit institution that reviews existing studies to spot trends missed by looking at them individually – could lead in time to zinc replacing vitamin C as the cold ‘cure’ of choice.

The latest Cochrane Review found that people who took a zinc syrup solution or lozenge every two hours while they had a cold were twice as likely to have shed it within a week as those who took a placebo. Children who took a zinc tablet once a day for at least five months were also a third less likely to get colds as those who took a placebo.

Pooled results from the trials showed that zinc reduced the duration and severity of common cold symptoms when used therapeutically. Zinc also reduced the incidence of the common cold, school absence and antibiotic use in healthy children.

The recommended daily amount for Zinc is 15mg.

find out more

Claire Dobson is Wells Road Clinic’s Nutritional Expert who specialises in food allergy testing and nutritional deficiencies. For more information or to have a chat about any specific problems please give Claire a ring at the clinic.