Scientists still don't know exactly how zinc lozenges help shorten how long you feel sick with a cold.

42

Pro

0

Against

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

42

Community contributions welcome

42

Zinc Lozenges Reduce the Duration of Common Cold Symptoms

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

1997 Mar

The study looked at zinc lozenges and found they help cold symptoms go away faster, but scientists still don't know exactly how they work. This matches the claim that the mechanism is unknown.

Contradicting (0)

0

Community contributions welcome

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 Reduce the Duration of Common Cold Symptoms

Score: 42

DOI: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.1997.tb01601.x

Similar Assertions

Taking zinc lozenges when you first start feeling sick with a cold might help you get better faster and feel less miserable.

1

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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.

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Taking zinc lozenges when you have a cold might help you get better faster, cutting down how long you're sick by about one-third.

47

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Taking zinc acetate lozenges when you have a cold can help you get better faster, cutting down how long you're sick by about 2 to 3 days.

67

74

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Taking special high-strength zinc lozenges when you have a cold can help you get better about three days faster.

39

74

88%