Helsinki, Finland—Zinc acetate lozenges and zinc gluconate lozenges have about the same efficacy in curtailing common cold symptoms, shortening duration about 33%. That’s according to a meta-analysis published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine Open. University of Helsinki researchers reviewed seven randomized trials with zinc acetate and zinc gluconate lozenges and found little variation. In addition, higher dosage appeared to have little effect; similar results were documented in five trials that used 80 mg to 92 mg of zinc per day and the two trials that used 192 mg and 207 mg of zinc per day. Researchers emphasize that “The current evidence of efficacy for zinc lozenges is so strong that common cold patients should be encouraged to try them for treating their colds, but the patients should ascertain that the lozenges do not contain citric acid or its salt citrate,” which have been determined to lower effectiveness of the treatment.

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