Do Zinc Lozenges Work?

Zinc lozenges are marketed as an aid for people with the common cold. Typically, the packaging claims that the lozenges are proven to shorten the duration of cold symptoms. Some zinc products include other ameliorative ingredients such as echinacea or vitamin C.

Zinc in the Body

• Adequate daily amounts of zinc can be consumed via high-protein foods.

  Zinc is a trace mineral that is important in the human body. It supports the immune system and helps cell growth and wound healing. Zinc is found in high-protein foods, especially oysters, beef, pork, lamb, peanuts and legumes. It is also in fortified breakfast cereals. Too much zinc (over 40 grams per day in adults) can cause nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, diarrhea and headaches.

Zinc and Colds

• Taking zinc could make cold symptoms such as stuffy nose and cough go away sooner, but research is inconclusive.

  In a 1996 study at the Cleveland Clinic, subjects who had colds and used zinc lozenges had a shorter duration of symptoms than those who received a lozenge without zinc. Similar studies have been questioned for various reasons; for example, zinc has a distinctive taste, so the subjects who took zinc may have been influenced into thinking that they felt better. There is also a hypothesis among researchers that zinc may inhibit the growth of rhinovirus in the nasal passages, but this has not yet been proven.

Zinc Lozenges

• Depending on the package you choose, zinc lozenges cost 6 to 35 cents per lozenge. For the most effective absorption of the zinc, you should allow the lozenge to dissolve slowly in your mouth. Take one lozenge every two hours (or the frequency stated in the directions) and you should not consume citrus within 30 minutes before or after taking the lozenge.