# "zinc lozenges" article needs an update **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [August 15, 2014, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zinc-lozenges-article-needs-an-update/695617 "2014-08-15T16:36:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sbunny8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@sbunny8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sbunny8)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2014, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zinc-lozenges-article-needs-an-update/695617/1 "2014-08-15T16:36:43Z")
Well, it’s happened again. An old SD article was reprinted that really should have been updated first. [http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1258/can-zinc-lozenges-cure-the-common-cold](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1258/can-zinc-lozenges-cure-the-common-cold) Long story short, in 1998 William Hathaway asks if Zinc Lozenges actually work, Cecil says nope they are just placebos, just you wait and see. Flash forward to 2014 and… nothing. We waited, and we didn’t see. The end of the article says > [@](#): > > There have been only a handful of zinc studies, involving small numbers of patients and yielding contradictory results. (Current score: four studies say it works, four say it doesn’t.) A similar situation arose 20 years ago, only the cold cure in question was vitamin C. That controversy ended indecisively, and today you don’t hear much about vitamin C as a cold cure. I’ll bet you a jumbo box of Contac that the same thing happens to zinc. Okay, Cecil. It’s been over sixteen years since you made the bet. Did you win the bet? Did you lose the bet? We are left hanging here. _sigh_ This is one of my pet peeves about reprinting old articles. Call me crazy, but I say if you write an article where you make a prediction, or if you say something like “The jury is still out on this one but things will become clearer when more evidence comes in” the you shouldn’t reprint the article without tacking on an update! Tell us if your prediction came true. Tell us what evidence came to light. Tell us what evidence failed to appear. Then we can actually fight some ignorance instead of just being nostalgic for how ignorant we were 20 years ago and still are today. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2014, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zinc-lozenges-article-needs-an-update/695617/2 "2014-08-15T16:52:47Z")
> [@sbunny8](#): > > Long story short, in 1998 William Hathaway asks if Zinc Lozenges actually work, Cecil says nope they are just placebos, just you wait and see. Actually, Cecil doesn’t say that in the linked article, just that evidence for zinc’s value against colds is conflicting and not well-established. Oral zinc has gotten somewhat more respectable since then, thanks in large part to a comprehensive Cochrane review of prior studies, which concluded that taken early enough after symptoms develop, zinc could shorten the duration of a cold by an average of a day, and have some prophylactic value in children against colds. The issue is far from settled though: _"Given the variability in the populations studied (no studies from low- or middle-income countries), dose, formulation and duration of zinc used in the included studies, more research is needed to address these variabilities and determine the optimal duration of treatment as well as the dosage and formulations of zinc that will produce clinical benefits without increasing adverse effects, before making a general recommendation for zinc in treatment of the common cold.”_ > **[Zinc for the common cold? Not for me - Harvard Health](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/zinc-for-the-common-cold-not-for-me-201102171498)** > > The latest hubbub about taking zinc to shorten a cold is media hype at its finest. The review that sparked the media storm on zinc and colds says there’s a lot more to be done before recommen... ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2014, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zinc-lozenges-article-needs-an-update/695617/3 "2014-08-16T13:26:01Z")
The re-running of old columns is not revised or reviewed (except casually), they’re reprinted as “classics.” We just don’t have enough staff to revise and update 'em, and I appreciate and share your frustration. So, thanks for calling this one to our attention. When something like this comes up, we’re grateful if anyone does know of new info (thanks, **Jackmannii** ) … and I’ll put it in front of Cecil to see if he thinks it’s worth an update. ---
**Author:** ![Powers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Powers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Powers)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zinc-lozenges-article-needs-an-update/695617/4 "2014-08-17T17:18:56Z")
> [@sbunny8](#): > > This is one of my pet peeves about reprinting old articles. Call me crazy, but I say if you write an article where you make a prediction, or if you say something like “The jury is still out on this one but things will become clearer when more evidence comes in” the you shouldn’t reprint the article without tacking on an update! Tell us if your prediction came true. Tell us what evidence came to light. Tell us what evidence failed to appear. Then we can actually fight some ignorance instead of just being nostalgic for how ignorant we were 20 years ago and still are today. I don’t think that’s a fair expectation. Given the manpower issues Dex mentions, the options are either “reprint the articles with outdated information” or “don’t reprint the articles at all”. Would you really rather the latter? Powers &8^] ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zinc-lozenges-article-needs-an-update/695617/5 "2014-08-17T17:24:03Z")
Manpower issues? What’s Cecil been doing lately? Does the guy even have another job other than this? ---
**Author:** ![JEngelman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e79b87/32.png) [@JEngelman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JEngelman)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2014, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zinc-lozenges-article-needs-an-update/695617/6 "2014-08-18T00:00:48Z")
Mao Clinic There’s been a lot of talk about taking zinc for colds ever since a 1984 study showed that zinc supplements kept people from getting as sick. Since then, research has turned up mixed results about zinc and colds. Recently an analysis of several studies showed that zinc lozenges or syrup reduced the length of a cold by one day. It also showed that taking zinc regularly might reduce the number of colds each year, the number of missed school days and the amount of antibiotics required in otherwise healthy children… But the recent analysis stopped short of recommending zinc. > **[Can zinc zap a cold?](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/expert-answers/zinc-for-colds/faq-20057769)** > > Everyone's heard of taking zinc for colds. But does it really work? Recent research suggests that some echinacea supplements may shorten the duration of a cold by about half a day and may slightly reduce symptom severity. But these results were too minor to be deemed significant. In the past, some studies have found echinacea to be helpful while other studies have found no benefit. > **[Cold remedies: What works, what doesn't](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/in-depth/cold-remedies/art-20046403)** > > Cold remedies: Some work, some don't. Learn how to tell the difference. Vitamin C has several benefits, including a modest effect combating the common cold. > **[Can vitamin C boost your mood?](https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/benefits-vitamin-c/faq-20058271)** > > You know vitamin C helps fight the common cold. But did you know that vitamin C might also help improve your mood? * * * When I have a cold or the flu I take zinc lozenges, vitamin C supplements, and Chinese herbal medicine. [http://www.chinesenaturalherbs.com/herb\_pages/yinchiao.asp](http://www.chinesenaturalherbs.com/herb_pages/yinchiao.asp) > **[Dr. Shen’s Yin Chiao (ColdStop)](https://drshen.com/products/dr-shen-s-yin-chiao-coldstop)** > > Early Stage Cold Support Also known as: YIN CHIAO CHEH TU PIAN, COLDSTOP or YIN QIAO Considering the number of users in Asia, and the length of time it’s been in use, Yin Chiao is possibly the WORLD’S bestselling herbal cold remedy of all... I am unaware of studies of Yin Chiaol, but I respect traditional Chinese culture. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2014, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zinc-lozenges-article-needs-an-update/695617/7 "2014-08-18T00:34:00Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Manpower issues? What’s Cecil been doing lately? Does the guy even have another job other than this? Well, first there’s the re-write (Cecil’s task) and then there’s the fact-checking (which requires staff, needed to review every fact/implication in the old column to see which ones hold and which ones require updating) and then there’s Ed as final editor who has, indeed, been busy with lots of things. The amount of fact-checking (staff time) that goes into a column would blow your lozenges away. ---
**Author:** ![qazwart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/5fc32e/32.png) [@qazwart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qazwart)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2014, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zinc-lozenges-article-needs-an-update/695617/8 "2014-08-18T15:03:35Z")
Wait, the average cold length is 18 days, and you think _one_ day is significant? It reminds me of another _study_ I read: > [@](#): > > A recent study tested the effects of doughnuts on cold duration. The study divided 90 patients into two groups. One got doughnuts and one didn’t. After reviewing the data, the study found no effect on the length of the average cold, but did find the doughnut group to be a lot less whiny . ---
**Author:** ![Sleath](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sleath/32/8853_2.png) [@Sleath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleath)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2014, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zinc-lozenges-article-needs-an-update/695617/9 "2014-09-26T08:47:10Z")
I have drunk about a litre of fresh fruit smoothies every day for years but still got colds two or three times a year. Then I read an article somewhere about zinc and the common cold. I started taking one 15g tablet a day three years ago and have not had a cold since. ---
**Author:** ![Sleath](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sleath/32/8853_2.png) [@Sleath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleath)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2014, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zinc-lozenges-article-needs-an-update/695617/10 "2014-09-26T10:20:11Z")
> [@Sleath](#): > > I have drunk about a litre of fresh fruit smoothies every day for years but still got colds two or three times a year. Then I read an article somewhere about zinc and the common cold. I started taking one 15g tablet a day three years ago and have not had a cold since. Sorry, that should read MILLIgrams,:D. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2014, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zinc-lozenges-article-needs-an-update/695617/11 "2014-09-26T10:33:39Z")
Congrats, **sbunny8**! Your question has made it to the top, and is now the subject for today’s column by Cecil. See: [What’s the latest on whether zinc cures colds? - The Straight Dope](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/3181/what-s-the-latest-on-whether-zinc-cures-colds) Hope you’re pleased, and don’t let the fame go to your head! ---
**Author:** ![squidfood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@squidfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squidfood)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2014, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zinc-lozenges-article-needs-an-update/695617/12 "2014-09-26T16:29:34Z")
If there’s a journal for meta-meta-analyses, I want to subscribe. ---
**Author:** ![sbunny8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@sbunny8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sbunny8)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2014, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zinc-lozenges-article-needs-an-update/695617/13 "2014-09-27T02:20:32Z")
> [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](#): > > Congrats, **sbunny8**! Your question has made it to the top, and is now the subject for today’s column by Cecil. See: [What’s the latest on whether zinc cures colds? - The Straight Dope](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/3181/what-s-the-latest-on-whether-zinc-cures-colds) > > Hope you’re pleased, and don’t let the fame go to your head! Yes I am 😃 It’s gratifying to know that my comments didn’t go unnoticed. Now if I could just get the Pope to reply to my weekly letters regarding flavor suggestions for communion wafers… Perhaps I’ve been using the wrong color of crayon. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2014, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zinc-lozenges-article-needs-an-update/695617/14 "2014-09-27T05:42:07Z")
Ok,now for Slug’s picture. The first one is a lot of zinc. The second is a yucky face for ionic zinc. What is that third thing? Hey **sbunny8** , how do you like your pic? ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2014, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zinc-lozenges-article-needs-an-update/695617/15 "2014-09-27T11:43:04Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > Ok,now for Slug’s picture. The first one is a lot of zinc. The second is a yucky face for ionic zinc. What is that third thing? > > Hey **sbunny8** , how do you like your pic? Nasal gel zinc, the three formulations Cecil discusses. sbunny8 got a portrait! ---
**Author:** ![sbunny8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@sbunny8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sbunny8)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2014, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zinc-lozenges-article-needs-an-update/695617/16 "2014-09-27T15:45:21Z")
oh wow! I didn’t even notice the portrait until you pointed it out. I’m flattered to be immortalized in digital ink. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2014, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zinc-lozenges-article-needs-an-update/695617/17 "2014-09-27T16:59:09Z")
> [@sbunny8](#): > > oh wow! I didn’t even notice the portrait until you pointed it out. I’m flattered to be immortalized in digital ink. Apparently Slug thinks you’re cute! ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2014, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zinc-lozenges-article-needs-an-update/695617/18 "2014-09-28T11:45:55Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Nasal gel zinc, the three formulations Cecil discusses. I know what it represents, but what is that black thing? I dangling wang? An elephant’s trunk? A dryer hose? ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2014, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zinc-lozenges-article-needs-an-update/695617/19 "2014-09-28T11:51:34Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > I know what it represents, but what is that black thing? I dangling wang? An elephant’s trunk? A dryer hose? Scrunched up eyes and an exaggerated nose, is how I read it.