| If you want to get rid of common cold symptoms | | | | anyone who is beginning a vitamin C regimen should |
| quickly, you may be disappointed to learn that there | | | | note if symptoms of diarrhea appear and reduce |
| are over 200 viruses that can cause common cold | | | | dosages accordingly. |
| symptoms and at this time there is no anti-viral or | | | | Two double blind, placebo controlled clinical trials |
| other drug that will cure your symptoms. Opinions | | | | appear to prove that zinc nasal gels, specifically the |
| concerning zinc and vitamin C common cold remedies | | | | over the counter product called Zycam, can get rid |
| vary. Some studies support their use, while others | | | | of common cold symptoms in a matter of days. The |
| conclude that they are ineffective. | | | | gel must be used within the first 24 hours after |
| Most in the news, these days, is a zinc nasal gels and | | | | symptoms are noticed. In those participants who |
| zinc lozenges, which reduce the duration of | | | | were given the zinc, symptoms were gone in as little |
| symptoms in some people. For years, vitamin C | | | | as two days. Those who received the placebo |
| common cold remedies were all the rage. Some | | | | exhibited symptoms for as long as two weeks. |
| experts say that you can get too much vitamin C | | | | Other studies contradict these findings, saying that |
| and too much zinc. Others say that vitamin | | | | zinc does not get rid of common cold symptoms in a |
| supplementation is unnecessary. Those who are | | | | significantly reduced amount of time. In fact one |
| pro-supplementation say that they are interested in | | | | study concludes that it is unethical to recommend a |
| optimal good health and that those against | | | | substance that could cause a permanent loss of smell |
| supplementation are only interested in health that is | | | | for treating a temporary discomfort, such as a |
| marginally better than being malnourished. | | | | common cold. A number of people, who lost their |
| The facts, which cannot be disputed, are that both | | | | sense of smell after using Zycam to get rid of |
| zinc and vitamin C common cold remedies may be | | | | common cold symptoms, sued the company. The |
| helpful in getting rid of common cold symptoms. Both | | | | company settled out of court without admitting fault. |
| are necessary for human health. Both are important | | | | The risk of losing the sense of smell associated with |
| for proper immune system function. Both have been | | | | zinc nasal gels is not associated with zinc dietary |
| shown in clinical studies to reduce duration of cold | | | | supplements or zinc lozenges. |
| symptoms. Both have been shown to reduce the | | | | An overabundance of zinc in the diet, for extended |
| number of colds that a person experiences per year. | | | | periods of time, can inhibit the body's ability to absorb |
| The question and debate concerns the appropriate | | | | iron and copper, which could lead to anemia. A lack of |
| amount. | | | | zinc in the diet can lead to hair loss, skin lesions and |
| The U.S. recommended daily allowance (RDA) for | | | | diarrhea. If the zinc deficiency is allowed to continue, |
| vitamin C is 60-95 mg per day. However, if you are | | | | death can result. A deficiency of vitamin C can lead |
| interested in preventing or getting rid of common | | | | to muscular weakness, bleeding gums, low infection |
| cold symptoms, vitamin C intake may need to be | | | | resistance, loss of appetite and nosebleeds, among |
| higher. A recently concluded study, five year study | | | | other things. Vitamin C common cold remedies are |
| of 439 participants in a village in Akita, Japan, | | | | not believed to have any serious side effects, other |
| concluded that in those people who received 500 mg | | | | than diarrhea, if daily amounts are far greater than |
| per day of vitamin C, common cold frequency was | | | | the individual needs. Most cases of zinc overdose |
| significantly reduced. The Nobel prize-winning | | | | have occurred in children and dogs that swallowed a |
| biochemist Linus Carl Pauling advocated the use of | | | | number of US pennies minted after 1982. Rather than |
| 6000 to 18000 mg per day, but this recommendation | | | | copper, US pennies minted after this date are |
| is considered unorthodox by conventional medicine. | | | | composed mostly of zinc. |
| Mega doses of vitamin C can cause diarrhea and | | | | |