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Zinc Cold Remedy

Debate continues over the effectiveness of zinc to treat the common cold. This essential mineral can be found in several over-the-counter products used to treat colds such as zinc lozenges and zinc nasal sprays. Although customers purchase the products to treat cold symptoms, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center and the Mayo Clinic, more research is needed to determine the type of zinc that's most effective to fight cold viruses. Nevertheless, consumers continue using zinc as a cold remedy.

  1. Zinc Lozenges

    • Zinc keeps the immune system ready to fight off infection. Taking zinc can boost your white-blood cell count to give your body the edge it needs to fight infection. Lozenges come in zinc acetate, zinc gluconate, and zinc citrate. Lozenges with "at least 13 mg of zinc gluconate combined with glycine" are more effective to reduce cold symptoms than lozenges with zinc acetate and zinc citrate, according to The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vitamins & Minerals.

      Allow the lozenge to dissolve slowly in your mouth. Don't chew or swallow it. Take lozenges every two hours. Adults should not take more than eight lozenges a day. Children should not take more than six per day, as suggested by The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vitamins & Minerals.

    Zinc Nasal Sprays

    • Zinc nasal sprays are used to treat cold symptoms such as nasal and sinus congestion. There's a chance the user can lose their sense of smell because of the metal, as stated in The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vitamins & Minerals. Zinc nasal gels work better than nasal sprays, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. You should take nasal sprays or gels within 48 hours of cold symptoms to reduce the duration of the cold.

    Zinc Supplements

    • Supplements are another way to implement zinc into your daily diet to fight infection. You can take it with water or juice. Zinc should not be take with iron and calcium supplements, according to University of Maryland Medical Center. There's a chance zinc can upset your stomach. If this occurs, trying taking it with meals. The recommended daily dose for males age 19 and older is 11 mg. The recommended daily dose for females age 19 and older is 8 mg, as stated by the University of Maryland Medical Center.

    Zinc Foods

    • Even if you don't take zinc to relieve cold symptoms, it can help you avoid getting a cold by keeping your immune system strong to fight infection. A deficiency of zinc will increase your chances of contracting an infection. Foods rich with zinc include shellfish, meats, nuts, beans, milk and cheese. Make these foods a regular part of your diet, and eat more of them during the cold and flu seasons.

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