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What are Zinc Supplements?

Niki Foster
Niki Foster
Niki Foster
Niki Foster

Zinc supplements are commonly used to boost the immune system to shorten the duration of the common cold. They are most effective when used at the onset of symptoms. Some popular brands of zinc supplements are Zicam and Cold-Eeze.

Zinc supplements come in a variety of forms. Cold-Eeze® comes in lozenges and tablets, as well as lollipops and gumballs geared towards children. Zicam® can be found in nasal swabs and gels, an oral spray, and chewable and rapid melt tablets. Zinc must be delivered to the mucosal surface in order to fight a cold, so conventional pills would not be effective.

Zinc supplements might he helpful in reducing cold symptoms if taken early enough in the illness.
Zinc supplements might he helpful in reducing cold symptoms if taken early enough in the illness.

The active ingredient in zinc supplements used to treat the common cold is zinc gluconate, which has been shown in clinical trials to shorten the duration of cold symptoms. Many users of zinc supplements also experience a reduction in the severity of cold symptoms. Finally, clinical trials have shown zinc supplements to reduce the annual frequency of colds when taken on a regular basis. Cold-Eeze uses a proprietary formula called zinc gluconate glycine, which combines the amino acid glycine with zinc gluconate to make the latter more palatable and stable.

Zinc lozenges have been shown to reduce the length and severity of the common cold.
Zinc lozenges have been shown to reduce the length and severity of the common cold.

Zinc supplements are not always effective. Generally, they must be used at the onset of a cold and may not be any help once symptoms have already become "full-blown." Zinc gluconate is the only form of zinc shown to be effective in aiding the immune system in clinical trials; though other types of zinc are occasionally used in cold supplements, they have not been clinically proven to provide any relief.

Some zinc supplements come in the form of nasal swabs.
Some zinc supplements come in the form of nasal swabs.

Zinc supplements work against the rhinovirus, which is responsible for 80% of colds. They are not effective against other types of cold or against flu or allergy symptoms. Since zinc gluconate has a positive molecular charge and the rhinovirus has a negative molecular charge, the zinc ions in cold supplements are attracted to the rhinovirus and become attached to it, preventing the virus from being able to reproduce properly.

Citrus intake can interfere with zinc supplements.
Citrus intake can interfere with zinc supplements.

Do not consume citrus fruits or juices for half an hour before or after taking zinc, as they will interfere with the supplements. Zinc supplements may cause minor discomfort if taken on an empty stomach. Make sure to continue taking zinc until all of your cold symptoms are gone to make sure that the rhinovirus does not return to full strength. Consult a doctor before taking zinc supplements if you are currently on antibiotics, as zinc may reduce their effectiveness.

Niki Foster
Niki Foster

In addition to her role as a WiseGEEK editor, Niki enjoys educating herself about interesting and unusual topics in order to get ideas for her own articles. She is a graduate of UCLA, where she majored in Linguistics and Anthropology.

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Niki Foster
Niki Foster

In addition to her role as a WiseGEEK editor, Niki enjoys educating herself about interesting and unusual topics in order to get ideas for her own articles. She is a graduate of UCLA, where she majored in Linguistics and Anthropology.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

milagros

The recommended dosage for zinc is 12mg per day. Usually it can be obtained through food. For example 8 oz of yogurt has 2mg of zinc.

If you need to take supplements you should do it with caution, since the absorption of other vitamins and minerals will be interfered with when the intake of zinc is high.

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    • Zinc supplements might he helpful in reducing cold symptoms if taken early enough in the illness.
      By: Subbotina Anna
      Zinc supplements might he helpful in reducing cold symptoms if taken early enough in the illness.
    • Zinc lozenges have been shown to reduce the length and severity of the common cold.
      By: Jane Doe
      Zinc lozenges have been shown to reduce the length and severity of the common cold.
    • Some zinc supplements come in the form of nasal swabs.
      By: aseph
      Some zinc supplements come in the form of nasal swabs.
    • Citrus intake can interfere with zinc supplements.
      By: dammsugare
      Citrus intake can interfere with zinc supplements.
    • For 30 minutes before and after consuming zinc supplements, citrus fruits should be avoided.
      By: dream79
      For 30 minutes before and after consuming zinc supplements, citrus fruits should be avoided.