Zinc salts tested in lab against cold viruses
In vitro activity of zinc salts against human rhinoviruses
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Zinc salts had low in vitro therapeutic indices against rhinoviruses.
It contradicts the widespread use of zinc lozenges for directly combating cold viruses, suggesting they may not work as assumed.
Practical Takeaways
Consider that zinc lozenges might not directly fight cold viruses, so explore other remedies or understand their potential placebo effects.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Zinc salts had low in vitro therapeutic indices against rhinoviruses.
It contradicts the widespread use of zinc lozenges for directly combating cold viruses, suggesting they may not work as assumed.
Practical Takeaways
Consider that zinc lozenges might not directly fight cold viruses, so explore other remedies or understand their potential placebo effects.
Publication
Journal
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
Year
1987
Authors
Felicia C. Geist, Judith A. Bateman, And, Frederick G. Hayden
Related Content
Claims (3)
Different zinc lozenges have different amounts of the active form of zinc, and only the active form fights viruses.
Zinc lozenges might help with cold symptoms, but lab tests show zinc doesn't really fight cold viruses directly, so there's probably another reason they work.
Zinc salts tested in lab cells for cold viruses show they might not work well as a medicine because they could be more harmful than helpful.