Zinc Lozenges for Colds
Zinc Lozenges May Shorten the Duration of Colds: A Systematic Review
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Low-dose zinc lozenges (under 75 mg/day) had no effect across all five trials, contradicting the belief that any zinc supplement helps.
Many over-the-counter products contain low doses, leading people to think they're beneficial when they're not.
Practical Takeaways
Choose zinc lozenges with at least 75 mg/day of elemental zinc and prefer zinc acetate formulations for maximum effect.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Low-dose zinc lozenges (under 75 mg/day) had no effect across all five trials, contradicting the belief that any zinc supplement helps.
Many over-the-counter products contain low doses, leading people to think they're beneficial when they're not.
Practical Takeaways
Choose zinc lozenges with at least 75 mg/day of elemental zinc and prefer zinc acetate formulations for maximum effect.
Publication
Journal
The Open Respiratory Medicine Journal
Year
2011
Authors
H. Hemilä
Related Content
Claims (6)
Taking zinc lozenges with a certain ingredient can shorten how long you have a cold by almost half, according to studies on people with real colds.
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.
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.
Different ingredients in zinc lozenges can change how well they work, even if the amount of zinc is the same, because some ingredients stick to the zinc and make it harder for your body to use it.
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.