Originally Posted by Surferbruce
i work around kids and pick up a cold virus every couple months it seems. i agree vitamin c does nothing, but zicam is way more than placebo effect. theres no doubt it shortens the duration of colds when used properly, and has been shown to do so in multiple studies.
Studies funded by Zicam. They have little science to back up their product. It really only gives mild efficacy in zinc deficient diets.
Zinc gluconate is also toxic. From a medical review:
This experience with the use of zinc in therapeutic doses over relatively long periods is reassuring. At the same time, the ingestion of gram quantities of zinc by many millions of persons as therapy for the common cold would represent a kind of uncontrolled nutritional experiment that is cause for concern [18, 21]. At the very least, therefore, surveillance for potential toxicity will be needed for a good many years if zinc therapy becomes widely adopted for one of mankind's most common and seemingly most intractable maladies.
The FDA frequently re-issues statements that there is no effective treatment for the common cold. If there truly was, business and government would use it to prevent sick days, a major financial loss.
From mayo:
Zinc. The cold-fighting reputation of zinc has had its ups and downs. That's because many zinc studies — both those that find the mineral beneficial and those that do not — are flawed. In studies with positive results, zinc seemed most effective taken as a lozenge or nasal spray within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms. Taking zinc with food reduced side effects, including a bad taste and nausea.
Washing your hands frequently is the best, most effective deterrent against getting a common cold. Also, if you work in a dry area, an air humidifier.