Reply #35: Studies do support their claim that it shortens the duration of colds

[Ms. Toad]

That's why that claim is still there.

And my personal experiences matches their claim. All my life I have had really nasty 2 wk+ colds that turned into bronchitis a good part of the time until I started using zinc. My mother used to threaten to drag me to the ER at least once during each cold because the deep extended coughing was so bad every morning. They never last longer than 4 days now if I catch them in the first six or so hours. I'm not much for fad cures - but I've been known to drive 8-10 miles in the middle of the night to find an all night store rather waiting until morning to go to one closer when I've forgotten to stock up before cold season and I feel a sore throat beginning. For me the difference is that dramatic.

The flu, on the other hand...if anything zinc makes that worse for me. It certainly doesn't shorten it at all.