We know that zinc supports immune defense, but can it also help with the COVID-19 outbreak? Early studies suggest that zinc may block the ability of viruses to multiply, potentially rendering them dormant. But just how much do we know about its effects on the new coronavirus in humans?<\/p>\n
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The COVID-19 outbreak has turned our world upside down. Among many preventive measures, people are turning to zinc for additional immune support. Zinc lozenges seem to be especially popular and stocks in pharmacies and health stores are running low.<\/p>\n
So what should you do? Stock up on zinc supplements or not?<\/p>\n
For starters, there\u2019s no evidence that zinc can directly prevent or treat the new coronavirus.<\/p>\n
The 2019 coronavirus is extremely recent, and we are still lacking robust studies specifically related to it. No effective or FDA-approved products are yet available to treat or prevent it. <\/strong><\/p>\n That shouldn\u2019t take away the importance of general supportive and preventive measures, though.<\/p>\n Zinc is considered a general supportive treatment for measles and SARS\u2010CoV. But there\u2019s no evidence that it can do the same for patients infected with the new coronavirus [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n To avoid confusion, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS\u2010CoV) was first identified in 2003. What we are dealing with right now is a pandemic of a very similar, but distinct virus that scientists have named SARS-CoV-2 or 2019-nCoV [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n The best preventive measures you can take against 2019-nCoV are those of standard care: social distancing, hand washing, and avoiding touching your face.<\/p>\n Zinc<\/a> is a dietary trace mineral that helps immune cells develop and stay healthy. It\u2019s important for preventing an array of infections and problems that can arise from poor immune function [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n People typically take zinc supplements because they want to maintain strong immune defense but are not getting enough of this mineral from their diet.<\/p>\n Yet, most people are not at risk of zinc deficiency<\/strong>. If you eat a fairly balanced diet and have no serious gut issues, you probably don\u2019t need supplements.<\/p>\n Groups vulnerable to zinc deficiency include those with sickle cell anemia, Crohn\u2019s disease, ulcerative colitis<\/a>, liver disease, and other chronic diseases that reduce zinc absorption in the gut [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Zinc deficiency results in a widespread loss of immunity. People with weakened immune systems are at an increased risk of infectious diseases, and coronavirus is no exception [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Zinc is essential for the normal development and function of many immune cells [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Because of the critical role it plays in the immune system, even a mild deficiency can impair immune function and increase the risk of bacterial, viral, and parasitic infection [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In clinical states associated with immunodeficiency (e.g., sickle cell disease, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection) and in the elderly, zinc supplementation can restore natural killer cell<\/a> activity, lymphocyte production, and resistance to infections [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Studies in HIV patients with low blood zinc levels reveal that chronic supplementation is associated with lower opportunistic infections and a reduced risk of immunological failure [R<\/a>, R<\/a>]. However, supplementation must be exercised with caution as excessive zinc may worsen disease symptoms<\/b> [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In malnourished infants and children in developing countries, zinc administration reduced the duration, severity, and incidence of diarrhea, respiratory infections, and malaria [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Similar beneficial effects were reported for other infectious diseases in humans including shigellosis, leprosy, tuberculosis, leishmaniasis, hepatitis C, and the common cold<\/a> [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n On the other hand, excessive levels may suppress immunity.<\/b> A study in healthy young men revealed that high doses of zinc reduced several immune functions, including activation of lymphocytes<\/a> and phagocytosis of neutrophils<\/a> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Owing to its immune-boosting properties, zinc is among the most popular supplements for a common cold.<\/p>\n However, the research is less convincing when it comes to using zinc for common cold prevention [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Taken within the first 24 hours of experiencing symptoms, zinc (at least 75 mg\/day) can speed up recovery and reduce symptoms of the common cold. It probably doesn\u2019t help prevent the common cold, though, according to a large scientific review [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Indeed, most clinical trials and reviews show a significant decrease in the duration of symptoms in adults. Zinc gluconate or zinc acetate supplements with 9-24 mg<\/b> of elemental zinc per dose have shown the best results, when initiated within the first 24 hours [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Remember that colds can be caused by many different viruses, including other types of coronaviruses. These are not<\/em> the same as the 2019 coronavirus [R<\/a>].<\/p>\nWhy Your Immune System Needs Zinc<\/span><\/h3>\n
For Immunity & Infections<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Speeds Up Recovery from the Common Cold<\/span><\/h3>\n