ZINC is an essential trace nutrient in humans that plays a role in the immune system.
Respiratory tract infections are common and produce a variety of symptoms ranging from mild to severe.
According to a recent review and meta-analysis, zinc supplements might prevent and decrease the duration of respiratory tract infection symptoms.
Conditions that impact the respiratory system are common. Sometimes, their symptoms are mild, but in some cases, they are severe.
Respiratory tract infections can develop due to bacteria or viruses and include influenza, the common cold, and Covid-19.
Researchers are constantly examining treatment options that could improve the symptoms, shorten their duration, or prevent them entirely.
A recent study, which appears in the journal BMJ Open, reports that taking zinc might shorten the duration of respiratory tract infection symptoms and possibly prevent them.
Zinc supportsTrusted Source the immune system and plays a roleTrusted Source in a range of bodily functions, including:
Foods that contain zinc include oysters, red meat, chicken, seafood, beans, nuts, whole grains, and dairy products. Multivitamins often include zinc. It is also available in nasal sprays and gels and some cold lozenges.
Most people in the United States derive enough zinc from the food they eat. However, researchers are still trying to determine the benefits of taking zinc as a supplement. Some scientists focus on how zinc might protect against viral infections.
The respiratory tract consists ofTrusted Source the structures involved in breathing, such as the nose, throat, voice box, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.
Symptoms of respiratory tract infections can vary. For example, symptoms of the common cold can includeTrusted Source sneezing, a sore throat, a cough, or a runny nose.
Symptoms of flu can be more seriousTrusted Source, such as fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, and headache.
People with Covid-19 may experience some flu-like symptoms. Symptoms of Covid-19 includeTrusted Source fever and chills, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, cough, congestion, or runny nose.
