What are the benefits of taking a zinc supplement?
Zinc is vital for a healthy immune system, and zinc lozenges can also be effective in reducing the severity and duration of a cold. Watch as consumer healthcare expert Tod Cooperman, MD, discusses the benefits/warnings of taking zinc supplements.
Transcript
So, you know, don't hand the bag over to your kids and let them eat it like a snack. It's a serious medication, really,
and you have to use it wisely. [EASY LISTENING MUSIC]
Now, zinc is important in two ways. First of all, it's important to your immune system. So you don't want to be deficient in zinc.
And that can happen, particularly in the elderly. Second, even if you're not deficient in zinc,
by taking a zinc lozenge and letting it dissolve slowly in your mouth-- not chewing them, or swallowing them, or popping them like candy,
but actually letting it dissolve in your mouth-- it can work in the back of your throat and kill viruses. And there's actually been a clinical study
showing that that will reduce the duration and severity of a cold. Typically, you want about-- want about 13 to 23 milligrams
of zinc in that lozenge. And again, you only want to take it about every two to four hours.
So, yo know, don't hand the bag over to your kids and-- and let them eat it like a snack.
It's a serious medication, really, and you have to use it wisely. Too much zinc can cause problems,
could even decrease your immunity. And it interferes with the absorption of copper, so you want to use it as directed.
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