Zinc gluconate for treating cold symptoms needs more research -- JAMA study.
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
ZINC SUPPLEMENTATION FOR COMMON COLD REQUIRES ADDITIONAL RESEARCH following the negative results of a 247-patient pediatric trial, Michael Macknin, MD, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, et al., report in the June 24 Journal of the American Medical Association. "Additional studies in all age groups with different dosages and formulations of zinc lozenges and with virologic testing are needed to define what role, if any, zinc has in the treatment of common cold symptoms," the researchers say. The study found that zinc lozenges did not provide improved relief of cold symptoms compared to placebo in children and adolescents in grades 1-12.