Evidence supporting the use of: Zinc
For the health condition: Colds (general)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Zinc is used to support or treat the common cold, and its use is primarily justified by scientific evidence, although it is also commonly used in traditional and over-the-counter remedies. Multiple randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have investigated the effect of zinc, especially in the form of lozenges or syrup, on the duration and severity of cold symptoms. The proposed mechanism is that zinc ions may inhibit rhinovirus replication and binding in the nasal mucosa, which are common causes of the cold.
A 2013 Cochrane review found that when taken within 24 hours of symptom onset, zinc supplements (typically as lozenges) can reduce the duration of cold symptoms in healthy adults and children. Some studies also report a reduction in symptom severity. However, the evidence is mixed, with significant variation in formulation, dosage, and study design. Side effects such as nausea and an unpleasant taste are common, and long-term use is not recommended due to the risk of copper deficiency and other adverse effects.
In summary, while the evidence is not unequivocal and some studies show no effect, the preponderance of high-quality studies supports a modest benefit for zinc in reducing the duration of colds when taken soon after symptoms begin. Its use is thus justified by scientific validation, though not at the highest level of certainty.
Other ingredients used for Colds (general)
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acidAbies spectabilis
Abrus
Acacia
Aconite
Aerva lanata
Agastache
Ajuga
Alcohol
Algae
Allicin
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Allspice
Allyl isothiocyanate
Allyl sulfide
Aloe vera
alpha-terpineol
alpinia galangal
American Liverleaf
Amomum
Amor seco
anamu
Andrographis
andrographolide
Angelica
anthocyanins
apple
apple cider vinegar
arabinogalactan
Aralia
Arani
Ardisia
Asam gelugor
Asarum heterotropoides
ash
aster root
Asteraceae
astragalus
atractylodes
atractylone
avens
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
Baikal Skullcap
balsam
bamboo
banyan
Baphicacanthus cusia
barberry
Barleria
basil
Bassia scoparia
bayleaf
bee hive
bee pollen
bee products
bee propolis
Belamcanda
benegut perilla (proprietary)
bermuda grass
berry
beta-pinene
Bidens pilosa
bioflavonoids
birch
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
bitter principals
black cumin
black currant
black galingale
black garlic
black nightshade
black pepper
black salt
black seed
black tea
blackberry
blackboard tree
blackthorn
Blepharis
blueberry
Boerhavia diffusa
Bombax
boneset
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
borneol
Bougainvillea
boxthorne
Broussonetia
buckthorn
Buddha\'s hand
Bupleurum
bupleurum falcatum
bur-reed
burdock
Butea monosperma
bасора
cajuput
calamus
Camellia sinensis
capillary artemisia
capsaicin
capsaicinoids
capsicum
cardamom
carrot
Carthamus
carvacrol
cassia bark
caterpillar mushroom
cayenne pepper
Celosia
chamomile
Chinese mountain ant
Chinese raisintree
Chinese silkvine
chive
Chlorophytum
Chondrus
chrysanthemum
chrysophanics
cineole
cinnamaldehyde
Cinnamomum
cinnamon
Cistus
citron
Citrus
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
Clerodendrum trichotomum
cloudberry
clove
coconut
coconut milk
coconut oil
Coin-leaf desmodium
cola nut
colostrum
commiphora
common madia
coriander
costus
cowherb
cowslip
culvers Root
cumin
Curcuma
curcumen
Curcuminoid
currant
curry leaf
David\'s milkberry
deoxyandrographolides
Desmodium
Dianthus
dodder
dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/tetraenoic acid isobutylamide
dodeca-2E, 4E-dienoic acid isobutylamide
dog rose
dragonhead
dulse leaf
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Eclipta
Elder
elderberry
Embelia
English horsemint
Ephedra
essential oil blend
eucalyptus
Eupolyphaga sinensis
European Elder
European five-finger grass
Evodia
fang-feng
fat liver oil
ferula assafoetida
Ficus simplicissima
flat-stem milk-vetch
flavonones
flowering quince
forsythia
frankincense
fruit
fulvic acid
Gallesia
gamma-terpinene
Gardenia jasminoides
garlic
garlic bulb
giant blazingstar
Gigartina
ginger
ginseng
Glechoma hederacea
Glycyrrhizin
Gnaphalium
goldthread
gooseberry
grape
Greek mountain tea
green chiretta
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
heal-all
Hedyotis
Helicteres isora
hemp
Herb Robert
honey
honey loquat syrup
honeysuckle
horehound
Horsemint
horseradish
hyacinth bean
Hygrophila
hyssop
Ilex
Indian bael
Indian fagonia
Indian tinospora
indigo leaves
iridoid glycosides
iridoids
Isatis
joe-pye
jujube
jungli-bean
Kokilaksha
kuding tea
Kukicha
L-cysteine
labrador tea
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Laggera pterodonta
Lebbek
Ledebouriella
lemon
lemongrass
lichen
licorice root
Ligusticum
Ligustrum
lime
limonene
linalool
Litsea
little ironweed
liverwort
lodhtree
Lomatium
long pepper
loquat
lotus
lovage
luffa
lychee
lysozyme
mace
mallow
mandarin
manzanita
maple
marigold
Marjoram
Marsh Tea
Marshmallow
Mastic gum
Maytenus ilicifolia
Meadow sage
Meadowsweet
Melia
Menthol oil
Milk
Mineral ascorbate
Momordica
Monardella odoratissima
Monoterpenes
Morinda
Moringa
Mountain Pepper
Mugwort
Mushroom
Mustard
mustard seed
Myrcene
Nardostachys
Natsudaidai
Neem tree
Nettle
Nimbidin
nut grass
Nymphaea nouchali
onion
Onosma bracteatum
Ophiopogon
orange
oregano
oregon grape
Oroxylum indicum
Orris
Oryza sativa
Osha
Osmanthus
Oxystelma
pagoda tree
papaya
Paris polyphylla
Patrinia
paw paw
peach
pear
Pelargonium
peony
Pepper
perilla
Persimmon
Petiveria
Peucedanum
Phaeophyceae
Phellodendron
phellodendron amurense
phenolic compounds
Phenylpropanoids
Phosphate ascorbate
Phyllanthus
Physalis angulata
pineapple
Piper chaba
Piper nigrum
Piper retrofractum
pistacia integerrima gall
plantain
Pluchea
plum fruit
Polygonatum
Polygonum
pomegranate
Portulaca
Propolis
Prunus
pumpkin
purslane
Pyrrosia
quail egg
quercetin
Quillaja
radish
raspberry
ravinsara
reishi mushroom
rhizome
Rooibos
rose
rose hips
rosemary
Rubiaceae
Rubus
sage
Sagebrush
Salvia
Sambucus nigra
Sandalwood
Sargassum
sarsaparilla
Sassafras
Scabrous Gentian
Schisandrins
schizonepeta
Scoparia dulcis
scrophularia root
Sesbania
Sesquiterpenes
Sete sangrias
Shark Liver Oil
Shogaol
Sichuan Lovage
Sichuan pepper
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Sicklepod
siler root
Sinigrin
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Solanum indicum
Sophora
Southern Tsangshu
spearmint leaf
Sphaeranthus indicus
Spikenard
spirulina
spruce
squawvine
Sumac
Sweet Annie
Sweet Bay
sweet flag
Szechuan lovage
Tamaricaceae
Tayuya
Tea
Terminalia
Terpenoids
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Thiosulfinate
thyme
Thymol
Thymus
Tinospora cordifolia
Tremella
Trichosanthes
Triterpenes
Tulbaghia
turmeric
typhonium
Umckaloabo
vegetable blend (proprietary)
Vervain
Viola
Violet
Visnea Mocanera
vitamin B
vitamin C
vitamin D
Wasabi
Water Pepper
Waterhyssop
Wax Gourd
White Tea
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Wulinshen
xanthium (cockleburs)
Yeast
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Yerba buena
Yerba santa
Yuzu
zanthoxylum
Zinc
Zingerone
Zingiberene
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Zinc
AbrasionsAcne
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Anemia
Anorexia
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Athlete's Foot
Attention Deficit Disorder
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia
Birth Defects (prevention)
Bites and Stings
Blisters
Body Building
Body Odor
Boils
Broken Bones
Bruises (healing)
Bulimia
Burns and Scalds
Calcium Deficiency
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Cardiovascular Disease
Cartilage Damage
Cataracts
Celiac Disease
Cervical Dysplasia
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Cholera
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colitis
Concentration (poor)
Congestion
Congestive Heart Failure
Conjunctivitis
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Copper Toxicity
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cradle Cap
Cramps (menstrual)
Crohn's Disease
Cuts
Cystic Fibrosis
Dandruff
Debility
Dehydration
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diaper Rash
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Duodenal Ulcers
Dysentery
Eczema
Endometriosis
Energy (lack of)
Enteritis
Epstein Barr Virus
Erectile Dysfunction
Exercise
Eye Infections
Eye Problems
Eyes (red or itching)
Eyes (spots before)
Eyesight (poor)
Failure to Thrive
Fat Metabolism (poor)
Fatty Liver Disease
Fibrosis
Fingernails (weak or brittle)
Foot Odor
Free Radical Damage
Gastritis
Giardia
Gingivitis
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Halitosis
Hashimoto's Disease
Hearing Loss
Heart (weakness)
Heavy Metal Poisoning
Hemochromatosis
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Herpes
Hypothyroid
Impetigo
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Insomnia
Irritability
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Itching (rectal)
Jock Itch
Labor and Delivery
Lead Poisoning
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Leucorrhea
Liver Detoxification
Lupus
Macular Degeneration
Mastitis
Measles
Memory and Brain Function
Menorrhagia
Menstrual Irregularity
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Miscarriage (prevention)
Mononucleosis
Mood Swings
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Night Blindness
Nursing
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Oral Surgery
Osteoporosis
Pancreatitis
PMS (general)
PMS Type A
PMS Type C
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Pneumonia
Poison Ivy or Oak
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Premature Ejaculation
Progesterone (low)
Prostatitis
Protein Digestion (poor)
Psoriasis
Puberty (hormone balancer)
Rashes and Hives
Rhinitis
Rosacea
Scars / Scar Tissue
Schizophrenia
Scratches and Abrasions
Seborrhea
Sex Drive (low)
Shingles
Sickle Cell Anemia
Sinus Infection
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin (infections)
Skin (oily)
Skin Care (general)
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
Smell (loss of)
Sore or Geographic Tongue
Sore Throat
Stress
Stye
Sugar Cravings
Sunburn
Surgery (healing from)
Surgery (preparation for)
Syphilis
Teeth (loose)
Testosterone (low)
Thinking (cloudy)
Tickle in Throat
Tonsillitis
Tooth Decay
Toxemia
Triglycerides (high)
Tuberculosis
Ulcerations (external)
Ulcers
Vitiligo
Warts
Wasting
Worry
Wounds and Sores
Products containing Zinc
Nature's Sunshine Love and Peas (Sugar Free Original Formula)
Nature's Sunshine 5-HTP Power
Nature's Sunshine Adrenal Support
Nature's Sunshine AnxiousLess
Nature's Sunshine AnxiousLess
Nature's Sunshine Bowel Detox
Nature's Sunshine Calcium-Magnesium (SynerPro)
Nature's Sunshine Candida Clear
Nature's Sunshine Cellular Energy
Nature's Sunshine Children's Elderberry Immune
Nature's Sunshine Children's MultiVitamin & Mineral
Nature's Sunshine Defense Maintenance
Nature's Sunshine Dieter's Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine Glandular System
Nature's Sunshine Love and Peas (Sugar Free) NEW!
Nature's Sunshine Love and Peas
Nature's Sunshine Master Gland Formula®
Nature's Sunshine Mega-Chel
Nature's Sunshine Men's Formula (With Lycopene)
Nature's Sunshine MultiVitamin & Mineral (SynerPro)
Nature's Sunshine MultiVitamin & Mineral (Time Release)
Nature's Sunshine Natural Changes
Nature's Sunshine Nature's Prenatal
Nature's Sunshine Nature's Harvest
Nature's Sunshine Perfect Eyes
Nature's Sunshine Power Greens Pouch
Nature's Sunshine Power Greens To-Go
Nature's Sunshine Power Meal Chocolate
Nature's Sunshine Power Meal Vanilla
Nature's Sunshine Skeletal Strength
Nature's Sunshine Solstic Twenty-Four
Nature's Sunshine Solstic Immune
Nature's Sunshine Structural System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine Super Supplemental
Nature's Sunshine Super Supplemental (Without Iron)
Nature's Sunshine Super Trio
Nature's Sunshine Target TS-II Formula
Nature's Sunshine Thyroid Support
Nature's Sunshine Ultrabiome DTX
Nature's Sunshine VitaWave
Nature's Sunshine Yeast/Fungal Detox
Nature's Sunshine Zinc
Nature's Sunshine Zinc Lozenge
