Zinc For Cold Season

Swear by zinc when you get sick? Stick with oral lozenges. Zinc nasal gels or sprays may damage your sense of smell.

Fall is around the corner and with it comes cold season. Though experts don’t yet agree on whether zinc can help lessen a cold’s duration, many consumers still swear by the supplements.
If you choose to take zinc, forego the nasal variety and opt for zinc lozenges instead. Using gels and sprays that contain zinc may lead to a permanent loss of smell, according to Terence Davidson, MD, who published a study on the mineral’s effects in the Archives of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery.
Other ways to keep colds at bay: Wash your hands frequently, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.