Canberra - Sana
A study conducted by researchers from the University of Western Australia revealed the effectiveness of zinc against viral respiratory infections such as the common cold.
According to the British Medical Journal, the researchers explained that oral or intranasal zinc prevented five respiratory infections per 100 people, while there was a 32 percent lower relative risk of mild to moderate symptoms.
The researchers showed that participants who used zinc under their tongue or as a nasal spray were 1.8 times more likely to recover than those who used a placebo.
They noted that zinc was associated with an 87 percent lower risk of moderate symptoms and a 28 percent lower risk of milder symptoms if used early in the course of the disease.
On the negative side, the researchers explained that there were a number of side effects among those who used zinc, including nausea, upset stomach, mouth irritation or pain from lozenges.