A horrible cold is making it's way around the office. Today I've had a headache and the beginning stages of a sore throat. Someone suggested taking Zicam which contains zinc? Does this really shorten the length or severity of a cold? I sure do hope so, cause this thing is knocking people in the butt.
I think it does. But you have to start taking it immediately upon feeling ill (or even before). Typically, my colds last 5 days, with the peak day in the middle being the worst. When I was good about taking Zicam, it was more like 3-4 days and it was much less severe. It was like I only caught the tail end of the cold, if that makes sense. It never peaked.
I've had good luck with it. I remember once reading that some study somewhere showed that an increase in zinc helps with fighting viruses, so I wonder if you could get the same advantage with you just taking a lot of zinc?
Post by MixedBerryJam on Sept 17, 2014 13:00:33 GMT -5
I am convinced it affected the severity and duration of my last cold. 48 hours before I was supposed to drive my son to college 3 hours away (and I'm the only driver in the family) I felt a cold coming on with all the usual symptoms: headache, sneezing, sniffling, eyes. I took those dissolving tablets like clockwork and the cold was much milder than usual, and it was completely gone within about 36 hours (this never happens with me and colds). I'm going to treat the next cold I get with Zicam again and see if I see a pattern, but for now I'm a convert.
Zicam (or Cold-Eze) work, but you have to take them at the start of the cold and continue to take them for days. It's not a couple-of-doses-and-I'm-good-to-go kind of thing. Most folks can't take the taste that long.
The taste wasn't that bad at all. I bought the tablets that dissolve in your mouth. It says to keep taking every four-six hours with no more than 4 doses in 24 hours. I guess I will see how and if it works!
I have had good luck with Zicam and doubling up on the Emergen-C when I feel something coming on. I do believe it shortens the duration and lessens the severity of whatever you get (or can help ward it off entirely).
Absolutely this. I swear by Emergen-C. Also helpful for hangovers!