OT: Is it okay to use both Zicam and zinc lozenges?

[Songbird]

I'm usually very successful in making a cold leave fast by using a combination of Zicam nasal swabs, echinacea/goldenseal and some extra vitamin C. I started sneezing like crazy on my way out of the house this morning, so I used a Zicam and took some echineacea/goldenseal as soon as I got to work (no vitamin C here???? aargh!!). Since I'm still sneezing like crazy, I took another look through my "medical" supplies and discovered some 23 mg. zinc lozenges. Directions: put two under your tongue at the first sign of a cold, then use one at a time every two or three hours; not to exceed six in a 24-hour period.

My questions:
-- The active ingredient in the zinc lozenges is described as "zinc (gluconate)." The active ingredient in the Zicam is "Zincum Gluconium 2X." Beyond the fact that the second one sounds like something Hermione would exclaim in a class at Hogworts, those two things sound VERY similar. Is that Zicam active ingredient actually zinc?
-- Can I use both the swabs and lozenges? If not, would one be more effective than the other?
-- I know a person can ingest too much zinc, but how much is too much?

Thanks...
Marsha

[Jason S.]

-- I know a person can ingest too much zinc, but how much is too much?

If your sex drive is so high as to cause your partner to complain, then you are ingesting too much zinc.

[Songbird]

Yeah, but this isn't about you and AJ.


Marsha

[Raj]

In general, you probably don't want more than 30mg per day, Songbird, half that if you eat a lot of meat or legumes although I doubt a few days at a higher dosage would damage you. Too much zinc actually suppresses the immune system while just enough boosts it. The amount of zinc you take in with Zicam is fairly negligible, but I suggest you be careful not to inhale the goop and use it exactly as directed. There have been reports of people losing their sense of smell (anosmia, believe it or not, is the medical name for the condition) after using Zicam.

[Songbird]

Thanks, Raj. No worries about my sense of smell... three sinus infections in a row about 20 years ago pretty much destroyed it. I appreciate your information and will be extremely careful when I use the swabs. Thanks!!

Marsha

[-SWS]

Some more details about the side effects of too much zinc here, Marsha:
http://www.nutritional-supplements-heal ... fects.html

If zinc is good enough for Brad and AJ, it's good enough for me...

[Songbird]

Thanks, -SWS.


Marsha

[-SWS]

Hope your cold gets better. Just be careful when it comes to the risky stuff:


I'm thinking Andre the Giant probably used exhibit A, on the left, when he had a cold.

I would also note that any of our childhood pets unfortunate enough to whiff Vick's are also today's long gone pets. Coincidence?

I think not.

[midnightdweary]

I continue to hear some bad things about the product. I've taken it several times to ward off colds.
But now, I don't think I'm going to anymore.

http://www.aboutlawsuits.com/zicam-side ... -use-4426/

[mikee]

I was a true believer in Zicam about 5 years ago. Used it as directed 3 days max, then got one of the worst colds i'd ever had, lost my taste and smell during the cold which is usual. Then one day my wife said " don't these flowers smell good" I could not smell them, then i noticed I could not smell other things, fresh cut grass, propane, gasoline. Had an MRI of my head to rule out a tumor, went to an ear,eyes, nose Dr. he said anosmia can also be caused by a virus. I do not use Zicam any longer. I know their was a class action lawsuit and i think the people involved got $300K each.

[Babette]

That's exactly why I don't use Zicam. My mother does, with no ill effects in the past ten years, but not me. I had a teacher who had lost his sense of smell and taste when I was in Jr. High, and it made a big imprint on me. I'm not going there.

I'm a believer in sucking on zinc lozenges. I like Cold Eeze brand, as well as the house brand at Bartell's (A PNW drug store chain).

If you're going to do Echinacea and Goldenseal, the best way to do it is high doses, several times a day. Minimum every four hours. It doesn't work taken prophylactically - like once in the morning and once in the evening. You have to hit it with high doses regularly until you're better.

Massive doses of Vitamin C are always a good thing. You'll need to take that several times a day too, since you pee it away just as fast as you take it.

Good luck!!!
Barbara

[yellowhearts]

In general, you probably don't want more than 30mg per day, Songbird, half that if you eat a lot of meat or legumes although I doubt a few days at a higher dosage would damage you. Too much zinc actually suppresses the immune system while just enough boosts it. The amount of zinc you take in with Zicam is fairly negligible, but I suggest you be careful not to inhale the goop and use it exactly as directed. There have been reports of people losing their sense of smell (anosmia, believe it or not, is the medical name for the condition) after using Zicam.

Ok. So would you recommend NOT to take zinc supplements? I'm about to get some from http://products.mercola.com/zinc-supplements/ but I think I'll do more research first.

[chunkyfrog]

Most 'colds' are actually allergies; as indicated by multiple sneezes.
Zinc is very profitable, but--of questionable value with colds/allergies.
(and scary side effects)
'Tis allergy season--pollen counts in your area may vary.. .

[dtsm]

Most 'colds' are actually allergies; as indicated by multiple sneezes.
Zinc is very profitable, but--of questionable value with colds/allergies.
(and scary side effects)

There have been some very objective clinical trials conducted with this and results are quite good. If interested, pm and I'll email copies. It does reduce the severity of colds, at least for a handful of the folks in my office who have used them for past 5+ yrs. It doesn't claim to cure the cold, nothing does that.

[ems]

My PC suggested I buy zinc lozenges for a really bad sore throat I recently had... with honey. Also to use the netti pot with distilled water twice a day.

***

PS - Jason S is one gorgeous hunk of a man!