Zinc treatment for Common Cold - METASTUDY says Yes.

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BBC reports on the Cochrane Collaboration's findings on zinc as an effective treatment and preventative for the common cold<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12462910>from study abstract here<http://www2.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab001364.html>"(Plain Language Summary)Zinc for the common cold

The common cold is often caused by the rhinovirus. It is one of

the most widespread illnesses and is a leading cause of visits to the doctor and absenteeism from school and work. Complications of the common

cold include otitis media (middle ear infection), sinusitis and exacerbations of reactive airway diseases. There is no proven treatment for the common cold. However, a medication that is even partially effective in the treatment and prevention of the common cold could markedly reduce morbidity and economic losses due to this illness.

Zinc inhibits rhinoviral replication and has been tested in trials for treatment of the common cold. This review identified 15 randomized controlled trials, enrolling 1360 participants of all age groups, comparing zinc with placebo (no zinc). We found that zinc (lozenges or syrup) is beneficial in reducing the duration and severity of the common

cold in healthy people, when taken within 24 hours of onset of symptoms. People taking zinc are also less likely to have persistence of

their cold symptoms beyond seven days of treatment. Zinc supplementation for at least five months reduces incidence, school absenteeism and prescription of antibiotics for children with the common

cold. People taking zinc lozenges (not syrup or tablet form) are more likely to experience adverse events, including bad taste and nausea. As there are no studies in participants in whom common cold symptoms might be troublesome (for example, those with underlying chronic illness, immunodeficiency, asthma, etc.), the use of zinc currently cannot be recommended for them. Given the variability in the populations studied (no studies from low- or middle-income countries), dose, formulation and

duration of zinc used in the included studies, more research is needed to address these variabilities and determine the optimal duration of treatment as well as the dosage and formulations of zinc that will produce clinical benefits without increasing adverse effects, before making a general recommendation for zinc in treatment of the common cold. all the Best in Health,Liora Pearlman , ModeratorMom"The only safe vaccine is one that is never used" - Dr. R. , former director of the (U.S.) National Institutes of Health (NIH)"There is a great deal of evidence to prove that immunization of children does more harm than good" J. , PhD, Former Chief Vaccine Control Officer and Research Virologist for the FDA. "I want to sell drugs to everyone. I want to sell drugs to healthy people. I want drugs to sell like chewing gum.†Henry Gadsden, Merck CEO (at the time) "You medical people will have more lives to answer for in the other world than even we generals - Napoleon Bonaparte