Taking zinc lozenges with less than 75 mg per day doesn't seem to shorten how long a cold lasts, based on studies comparing them to fake pills. It might only work if you take enough.

39

Pro

0

Against

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

39

Community contributions welcome

39

Zinc Lozenges May Shorten the Duration of Colds: A Systematic Review

Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis

2011

The study looked at zinc lozenges and found that low doses (less than 75 mg per day) don't help shorten colds, just like the claim says, while higher doses do work.

Contradicting (0)

0

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No contradicting evidence found

Gold Standard Evidence Needed

According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Source Study

Zinc Lozenges May Shorten the Duration of Colds: A Systematic Review

Score: 39

DOI: 10.2174/1874306401105010051

Similar Assertions

Taking small amounts of zinc lozenges doesn't really help shorten a cold, but taking larger amounts might actually make you feel better faster.

0

39

95%

Taking certain zinc lozenges (not the acetate kind) in high daily doses might shorten how long you have a cold by about one-fifth, but different brands or types seem to work differently based on studies.

39

0

93%

Taking zinc lozenges (like a special candy) right when you start feeling a cold can help you feel better. Using about 80-100 mg per day works best, and taking more than that doesn't give extra benefit.

33

0

93%

Taking high-dose zinc lozenges every day might help adults get over colds faster—cutting how long you're sick by more than a third compared to not taking them.

39

0

92%

Zinc lozenges might help with colds, but it depends on how much zinc you take and what type of zinc it is. Taking more than 75 mg a day works, while less doesn't, and acetate zinc works better than other kinds.

39

0

92%