Zinc lozenges with a certain chemical property might make your cold last longer—specifically, about 4 extra days—instead of helping you get better faster.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

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Zinc ion availability--the determinant of efficacy in zinc lozenge treatment of common colds.

Computational/Algorithm Study

1997 Oct

The study looked at zinc lozenges and found that ones with a certain negative score (like -55) make colds last longer, exactly as the claim says.

Contradicting (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 ion availability--the determinant of efficacy in zinc lozenge treatment of common colds.

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DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.jac.a020864

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