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evidence · mechanism · dose
Supplements/Mineral

Zinc (Immune Use)

Lozenges started within 24h of symptom onset shorten colds ~33%.

Immune Function (alias)Seasonal WellnessInfection SupportZinc Deficiency

Overview

Lozenges started within 24h of symptom onset shorten colds ~33%.

Natural sources
    Common forms

      Mechanism of action

      Free Zn²⁺ in throat inhibits rhinovirus 3C protease and ICAM-1 binding.

      Pathways

        Effects on the body

        Organ system effects

        Evidence-based benefits

        Reduces cold duration if started early

        Moderate evidence

        Potential side effects

        Common
        • · Bad taste
        Rare
          Serious

            Drug interactions

            No notable interactions reported.

            Supplement interactions

            Pairs well with

            None listed.

            Avoid combining with

            No specific avoidances listed.

            Dosing & bioavailability

            Typical dose
            75 mg/d divided across lozenges × ≤7 days
            With food?
            Lozenge, not swallowed

            Where to buy

            Affiliate-style search links to reputable retailers. We don't endorse specific brands — verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

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            Thorne
            Practitioner-grade · NSF tested

            Scientific evidence (8)

            Meta-analysisJRSM Open · 2017

            Zinc lozenges and the common cold

            Hemilä H

            Meta-analysis of zinc-acetate lozenge RCTs.

            Key findings

            Shortened cold duration by ~33%.

            Open study
            Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

            PubMed: Zinc (Immune Use) — Reduces cold duration if started early

            Live PubMed search

            Live results for "Zinc (Immune Use) Reduces cold duration if started early" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

            Key findings

            Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Zinc (Immune Use) and "Reduces cold duration if started early". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

            Open study
            Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

            PubMed: Zinc (Immune Use) — randomized controlled trial

            Live PubMed search

            Live results for "Zinc (Immune Use) randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

            Key findings

            Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Zinc (Immune Use) and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

            Open study
            Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

            PubMed: Zinc (Immune Use) — meta-analysis

            Live PubMed search

            Live results for "Zinc (Immune Use) meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

            Key findings

            Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Zinc (Immune Use) and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

            Open study
            Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

            PubMed: Zinc (Immune Use) — pharmacokinetics

            Live PubMed search

            Live results for "Zinc (Immune Use) pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

            Key findings

            Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Zinc (Immune Use) and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

            Open study
            Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

            PubMed: Zinc (Immune Use) — safety adverse events

            Live PubMed search

            Live results for "Zinc (Immune Use) safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

            Key findings

            Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Zinc (Immune Use) and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

            Open study
            Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

            PubMed: Zinc (Immune Use) — dose response

            Live PubMed search

            Live results for "Zinc (Immune Use) dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

            Key findings

            Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Zinc (Immune Use) and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

            Open study
            Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

            Google Scholar: Zinc (Immune Use) — clinical evidence

            Live Scholar search

            Cross-database citation index for Zinc (Immune Use) as it relates to "clinical evidence".

            Key findings

            Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

            Open study
            Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.