When And How To Take Zinc Supplement

However zinc gluconate lozenges might help prevent colds in children and adolescents.

When and how to take zinc supplement. In adults taking zinc supplements by mouth does not seem to prevent common colds. Using zinc as a nose spray. For example zinc sulfate consists of about 23 elemental zinc so 220. For the common cold zinc lozenges are typically taken every one to two hours within 48 hours of the start of symptoms.

However use of intranasal zinc has been linked with the loss of the sense of smell in some cases long term or permanently. However if zinc supplements cause stomach upset they may be taken with a meal. Weil recommends adults take 15 mg of zinc supplements daily or up to 30 mg daily for vegetarians or for those who don t eat many foods of animal origin. Evidence suggests that if zinc lozenges or syrup is taken within 24 hours after cold symptoms start the supplement can help shorten the length of colds.

How much zinc you should take per day depends on the type as each supplement contains a different amount of elemental zinc. To avoid irritating the stomach take zinc with food. How much does a child need.