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According
to a review of research published by the Cochrane Collaboration, an
international organization that evaluates medical research, zinc supplements
appear to shorten the length of colds by approximately one day as well as
lessen the symptoms. Their findings are based on based on 13 trials with close
to 1,000 participants who either took zinc or a dummy treatment at the
beginning of their symptoms. Two other trials indicated zinc helped stave off
colds, but the research quality of the studies were considered poor. Exact zinc
dosage and formulation for optimal effectiveness is not known, nor is the
mechanism of how zinc reduces the length and symptoms of colds. It should also be noted that
taking zinc over a long period of time should be done carefully as it can interfere
with other metals in the body resulting in unpredictable consequences.
Source: Reuters. February 16, 2011. |