04 Feb Warrior Through Cold Season

Feeling the start of cold? Zinc may be your ally in getting better faster!

There is evidence that taking a zinc supplement within 24 hours of the start of your symptoms decreases the length and severity of illness.  While we don’t know the exact way zinc works, some theories are that it makes it harder for cold viruses to multiply and to attach to our cells.  Zinc also contributes to your wellness by helping your immune system cells function properly.  Some studies have found that children and elderly taking zinc supplements had fewer colds and less overall days of prescribed antibiotics. The World Health Organization even recommends zinc supplementation to treat acute diarrhea in children.

Zinc is the second most common trace mineral in the body, present in almost every cell.  It has many roles in addition to immune function including hundreds of enzyme reactions, gene expression, eyesight, and smell. It also functions as an antioxidant, as well as a helping to maintain the strength of cell membranes.

Our bodies don’t keep a large store of zinc, so we need to consume it. The best sources are from oysters, red meat, and chicken because the meat proteins help the zinc get absorbed.  Vegetarians maybe need 50% more zinc supplementation than people with more mixed diets because the phytic acid in plant foods makes the zinc harder to absorb. Signs of low zinc include hair loss, mental fatigue, diarrhea, poor sense of smell or taste, and slow wound healing.

One way to get extra zinc when you sense a cold coming on is to take it orally – look for lozenges about 10 mg of elemental zinc. You can safely take up to 80 mg a day for 5 days, but more than 10 mg at a time as tends to upset the stomach and can leave you with a metallic taste in your mouth.  Zinc nasal sprays are available, but they have caused some people to lose their sense of smell.

If you feel something coming on, or can’t have any downtime, a quick one-time IV zinc boost might just be the right thing for you. As cold season approaches let Vivify help you kick the symptoms fast!