Health Problems  
Colds Research

Is There A Cure For The Common Cold?
by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Each winter we are exposed to rhinoviruses-- those annoying germs that cause a sore throat, runny nose, and cough. Most adults and children in the United States get two to six colds per year. But is coming down with the common cold inevitable?

 "Absolutely not," says Los Angeles physician Ray Sahelian, M.D., co-author of The Common Cold Cure (Penguin, 1999, $9.95). "In my clinical experience, the majority of colds can be stopped dead in their tracts by a combination of vitamin C and zinc lozenges, taken at the right time, and in the right dosage and frequency. If more doctors recommended these natural supplements, the number of unnecessary antibiotics prescribed for colds could be dramatically reduced." 

In a recent double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers at the Department of Medicine, Wayne  State University, in Detroit, Michigan, recruited 50 volunteers within 24 hours of developing symptoms of the common cold. Participants took one Lozenge containing 12.8 mg of zinc acetate or placebo every 2 to 3 hours while awake as long as they had cold symptoms. 

Subjective symptom scores for sore throat, nasal discharge, nasal congestion, sneezing, cough, scratchy throat, hoarseness, muscle ache, fever, and headache were recorded daily for 12 days. Compared with the placebo group, the zinc group had shorter mean overall duration of cold symptoms (4.5 vs. 8.1 days), cough (3.1 vs. 6.3 days), and nasal discharge (4.1 vs. 5.8 days) and decreased total severity scores for all symptoms. 

Through years of clinical experience, Dr. Sahelian has developed an extremely effective common cold cure plan. He says, "Vitamin C and zinc have the best chance of being effective the earlier they are started. So pay attention to your body and start these supplements at the first moment you notice the very first symptoms-often a scratchy throat, twitching in the nose, runny nose or congestion, or sneezing."

At the earliest onset of symptoms:

Take 3 to 5 grams of vitamin C followed by 500 mg every 3 hours. Allow a zinc lozenge containing 10 to 20 mg of zinc in the form of zinc gluconate, zinc gluconate/glycine, or zinc acetate to dissolve in the back of your mouth. Keep the lozenge in the mouth for at least 5 to 10 minutes or as long as you can. Swallowing the lozenge early reduces its effectiveness. After the lozenge has melted, wait a few minutes and place another lozenge in your mouth. Repeat the zinc lozenge every hour for four hours and then reduce the frequency to every two to three hours while awake. If you wake up in the middle of the night, take the zinc again.

The second and third days

Take 1,000 mg of vitamin C three times a day and continue the zinc lozenges every three to four hours.

When to get medical advice 

In most cases, the appropriate use of nutrients and herbs can stop a cold dead in its tracks. However, you should consult a health care provider if: Your symptoms are getting worse Your fever exceeds 102 degrees You have severe nausea, have vomited, and can't keep fluids You have a moderate or severe headache You have difficulty breathing.

Your mucus has turned thick yellow or green And you have a moderate to severe earache. 

Seven Tips for Ducking a Cold

It's a germy world out there, but there are some steps you and your family can take to protect yourself from being infected with the latest virus circulating around your home or office.

1. Wash your hands frequently if you happen to shake a lot of hands or are in contact with many people at the office or home.

2. Keep your hands away from your eyes and nose-this is how most colds are caught.

3. Maintain moist mucous membranes by drinking plenty of water and using a humidifier in cold, dry season.

4. Sleep a good, deep sleep at least six to eight hours a night. 

5. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables (these foods are rich in vitamins and phytonutrients).

6. Limit your intake of alcohol, caffeine, and sugar.

7. Exercise regularly.

Ray Sahelian, M.D., is the co-author with Victoria Dolby of The Common ColdCure (Penguin, $9.95, 1999). He is also the author of The Stevia Cookbook,Creatine: Nature's Muscle Builder, and the newly published Mind Boosters: A
Guide to Natural Supplements That Enhance Your Mind, Memory, and Mood (St.Martins Press, $14.95, 2000). See his web site www.raysahelian.com for the latest updates on natural therapies, herbs, hormones, and supplements. Contact: T: 310-821-2409, Marina Del Rey, CA Sahelian@aol.com

Reference: Prasad AS, Fitzgerald JT, Bao B, Beck FW, Chandrasekar PH. Duration of symptoms and plasma cytokine levels in patients with the common cold treated with zinc acetate. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Ann Intern Med 2000 Aug 15;133(4):245-52 Department of Medicine, Wayne State University, University Health Center, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA.