Common cold
March 23, 2004 by Linda Lazarides
Filed under Health issues
Promising nutritional research
86% of zinc-treated subjects became cold-free after 7 days compared with only 46% of placebo-treated subjects. Eby GA et al: Reduction in duration of common colds by zinc gluconate lozenges in a double-blind study. Antimicrobic agents and chemotherapy 25(1):20-24, 1984
100 volunteers who had developed a cold within the last 24 hours were randomized to receive either zinc gluconate lozenges or placebo for as long as their symptoms lasted. Those in the zinc group had significantly shorter colds (average 4.4 days) than the control group (7.6 days). They also had significantly fewer days with coughing, hoarseness, nasal congestion, nasal drainage and sore throat. Mossad SB et al: Zinc gluconate lozenges for treating the common cold. A randomized, double-bind, placebo-controlled study. Ann Intern Med 125(2):81-8, 1996.
Treatment of colds with zinc reduced the mean daily clinical score and the mean daily nasal secretion. Al-Nakib W et al: prophylaxis and treatment of rhinovirus colds with zinc gluconate lozenges. J Antimicrob Chemother 20(6):893-901, 1987
140 pre-school age children with a history of frequent respiratory illnesses were supplemented with vitamin A (450 ug per day) or a placebo. The children given the vitamin A suffered 19% fewer episodes than the placebo group. Pinnock CB et al: Vitamin A status in children who are prone to respiratory tract infections. Aust Paediatr J 22(2):95-9, 1986.
There are a large number of placebo-controlled double-blind studies which consistently and persuasively support the conclusion that vitamin C supplementation alleviates the symptoms of the common cold. Hamila H et al: Vitamin C and the common cold: A retrospective analysis of Chalmers’ review. J Amer Coll Nutr 14(2):116-123, 1995.
Information compiled by Linda Lazarides
Naturopathic Nutritionist, Author, Educator
Linda Lazarides is Course Director of the School of Modern Naturopathy and author of eight books on health, nutrition and naturopathy.
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