A Potential Cure for the Common Cold

Zinc is known to support your immune health. But it may also help cut your cold short.

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By Paola de Varona, Associate News Editor When I started to feel the early symptoms of a cold last week, I decided to scoop up zinc lozenges at my local grocery store. I'd heard good things about them from friends and family, so I figured I'd see if the lozenges could put a stop to my stuffy nose before it got worse. I can't speak to how helpful they were, though, because after slipping one in my mouth I decided they tasted too bad to continue taking.   But if I had stuck to them they might just have cut my cold shorter, according to new research. Today's Top Story Zinc Can Relieve Your Cold Symptoms There's been a lot of attention on zinc this year because of its potential role in treating COVID-19. What exactly is it?   Our bodies need a slew of nutrients, like natural minerals, to function properly. One of these is zinc, which can be naturally found in foods like dairy, beef, poultry, whole grains, and some seafood. Researchers have previously found that zinc plays an important role in immune health.   Now, a new study shows that the mineral may be able to cut some cold symptoms short. Researchers found that among people who did not have a zinc deficiency, zinc appeared to play a positive role in helping them cope with mild to moderate respiratory tract infections—or the common cold.   When used as a preventative supplement, zinc reduced the risk of developing symptoms like a fever. And when it was used to treat common cold symptoms, it reduced the severity of those symptoms by day three. Know More There is such a thing as too much zinc in your system. Taking high doses of zinc over the course of a few months can lead to copper deficiency. Too much of it can also keep you from absorbing iron. Feel Better Overall, experts recommend increasing the amount of zinc you absorb naturally through food. But if you do have symptoms of a cold or flu, Jennifer Hunter, PhD, a researcher on the study, says that people can try zinc on a short-term basis. "It might help recover faster and reduce the severity of symptoms," she says. "In this context, it is certainly more appropriate than running to the doctor for an antibiotic prescription." READ MORE 6 Diabetes-friendly Foods to Add to Your Diet This Month If you have diabetes, try considering the foods you can add to your diet rather than the ones you might need to restrict. Verywell's resident nutritionist, Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, suggests incorporating six foods into your day-to-day: blueberries, walnuts, prunes, unsweetened Greek yogurt, salmon, and oats. Many of these foods help support your heart health, which is "an important part of managing your overall health if you have diabetes," she writes. READ MORE The First COVID Antiviral Pill Is Here The U.K. authorized the first COVID antiviral drug last week. In a surprising move, the drug's developers signed an agreement to make the pill affordable and easily accessible in low- and middle-income countries. Experts say this will be a game-changer. The pill, which is meant to treat people who have already contracted COVID, could potentially reduce COVID transmission in many of these countries and help relieve the burden on their healthcare systems. READ MORE     Elizabeth Barnes, MS, RDN, LDN, registered dietitian at Weight Neutral Wellness, emphasizes the importance of working on daily healthy practices to boost your immune system, rather than just relying on zinc. Most of us don't get enough sleep and what we get is poor quality. I recommend my clients aim for six to nine hours of sleep per night and encourage them to practice good sleep hygiene. Elizabeth Barnes, MS, RDN, LDN Registered dietitian at Weight Neutral Wellness   Keep Reading   ■ A Look at Contraception's Lesser-Known Legacy.The Lily     ■ Who Had COVID-19 Breakthrough Cases? The New York Times     ■ Parents Still Have a Thanksgiving Problem. The Atlantic More From Verywell Is There a Vaccine for the Common Cold? READ MORE How Is Zinc Deficiency Diagnosed? READ MORE How Light Therapy Lamps Work READ MORE   How'd we do? If you have any feedback, send us a note at   feedback@verywell.com.       You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Verywell Health newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here.   A DOTDASH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2021 verywellhealth.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy