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Everyone has a cold remedy they swear by, whether it’s chicken noodle soup, a bedroom humidifier, or over-the-counter medication. Zinc supplements have long been advertised as ways to help you quickly get over the sniffles, but do they really do anything? Here’s what you need to know about the supplement and whether or not you should reach for it the next time you catch a cold.
What is Zinc?
Zinc is a mineral found in food like oysters, poultry, red meat, and beans. Zinc helps the body with wound healing, immune function, and cell growth. It’s also important for fertility in both men and women.
Low zinc levels can lead to many health issues, including male infertility, HIV, depression, and type 2 diabetes. Symptoms of a zinc deficiency can include loss of appetite, reduced sense of taste and smell, hair loss, irritability, diarrhea, and nausea.
Your body does not produce zinc on its own, so you need to get it from either your diet or supplements. Getting zinc from your diet is the best option, but it can be beneficial…
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