Effective Supplements for Managing Cough and Cold Symptoms

For managing symptoms of cough and cold, several supplements have shown varying degrees of effectiveness:

1. Vitamin C: While taking vitamin C regularly does not prevent colds, it may reduce the duration and severity of symptoms when taken at the onset of a cold¹².

2. Zinc: Zinc supplements, if taken within 24 hours of the onset of cold symptoms, may help to lessen the duration and severity of a cold by about 33%. However, the results are mixed, and some studies highlight potential side effects such as upset stomach and mouth irritation³⁴.

3. Echinacea: This herbal supplement may slightly reduce the length and severity of colds if taken at the first sign of symptoms and continued for 7 to 10 days⁵. However, its efficacy varies depending on the type of echinacea used⁶.

4. Vitamin D: Particularly for those with a deficiency, vitamin D can help bolster the immune system and may reduce the incidence of respiratory infections including colds⁷.

5. Probiotics: Some studies suggest that probiotics can help to reduce the likelihood of getting upper respiratory infections, including colds⁸.

Would you like to look at some specific products containing these supplements?

Footnotes

1. Vitamin C and colds: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia ↩

2. Common cold - Mayo Clinic ↩

3. Can zinc zap a cold? Mayo Clinic ↩

4. Self-Care for Common Colds: The Pivotal Role of Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Zinc, and Echinacea ↩

5. Common cold - Mayo Clinic ↩

6. Overview: Common colds - NCBI Bookshelf ↩

7. Self-Care for Common Colds: The Pivotal Role of Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Zinc, and Echinacea ↩

8. Overview: Common colds - NCBI Bookshelf ↩