Can Zinc Really Shorten a Cold?

THURSDAY, May 9, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Every cold and flu season, folks are flooded with ads for zinc lozenges, sprays and syrups that promise to shorten their sniffles.

Zinc might indeed reduce the duration of common cold symptoms by about two days, a new evidence review says.

However, the evidence is not conclusive, and taking zinc can come with some unpleasant side effects, researchers said.

“The evidence on zinc is far from settled,” senior researcher Susan Wieland, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, said in a news release. “We need more research before we can be confident in its effects.”

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Allergy Information

What Are Seasonal Allergies?

More than 67 million americans suffer from allergy symptoms, including hay fever. But, what is an allergy? What is an allergic reaction? What are common allergy symptoms? What allergy treatments are available?

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What is Pollen?

Pollen is one of the most common allergens in the United States. Pollen is an airborne allergen, which is picked up and carried by the wind. Various trees, grasses and weeds create pollen, which can cause hay fever, irritate your eyes and skin.

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