Zinc

Zinc supplements are marketed as one of the few effective cold remedies, but are they? In 1771, German doctor Hieronymus David Gables presented zinc as a promising treatment to the Western scientific community. For the first 200 years of its existence, pharmacy shelves were stocked with zinc.

It’s difficult to get a definitive answer to this question because there haven’t been many studies on zinc use, and the results vary depending on the dose and composition. Furthermore, the treatment period was not adequately verified during these studies, prompting researchers to conduct a new holistic analysis involving 28 disciplined trials. Its findings supported the idea that zinc supplements can help prevent the symptoms of viral respiratory infections like the flu and cold, as well as shorten their duration.

“It has long been assumed that zinc’s benefits in infection prevention and treatment are limited to people with deficiency,” Jennifer Hunter, an integrative medicine specialist at the Australia’s University of Western Sydney, said. “However, the findings of this study have cast doubt on this belief, as two trials in the United States excluded all zinc deficiency patients from studying the efficacy of oral zinc in infection prevention, and two larger studies in China excluded all zinc deficiency patients from studying the efficacy of oral zinc in infection prevention.” clinical.

Applicability and Efficacy

Uses OF ZInc in the Medical Sector

Zinc Oral administration 

This supplement can be used to treat zinc deficiency. Zinc can be taken orally or intravenously to help restore zinc levels in zinc-deficient people. Taking zinc supplements regularly, on the other hand, is not recommended. IV products can only be administered by a healthcare provider.

Uses of zinc in Diarrhea 

Diarrhoea is most likely effective. In malnourished children, zinc taken orally reduces the duration and severity of diarrhoea. The most common zinc dose is 20 mg per day. Doses of 5-10 mg, on the other hand, appear to be effective and cause less vomiting.

Uses of Zinc in Skin Diseases

Zinc deficiency is a condition that occurs when the body does not have enough zinc (acrodermatitis enteropathica). It appears that taking zinc orally can help alleviate symptoms of this condition.

Uses of Zinc in Eye Diseases 

This is an eye disease that causes vision loss in older adults (age-related macular degeneration or AMD). Oral zinc supplementation, particularly when combined with antioxidant vitamins, may help slow and prevent advanced age-related vision loss in people at high risk.

Uses of Zinc in Depression 

Depression. Oral zinc supplementation in conjunction with antidepressants appears to help with depression. It may also benefit people who aren’t responding to antidepressant medication alone.

Zinc Uses  in Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes. Taking zinc orally may help improve blood sugar control in diabetics by a small amount.

Uses of Zinc in Rashes

Diaper rash is a common occurrence. Oral zinc gluconate administration to infants appears to aid in diaper rash healing. Zinc oxide paste appears to be beneficial as well. It does not, however, appear to be as effective as using a 2% eosin solution.

Uses of Zinc in Oral Health Care

Gingivitis is a type of gum disease that is mild (gingivitis). Zinc toothpaste, whether with or without an antibacterial agent, appears to aid in the prevention of gingivitis.

Bad breath is an issue. Chewing gum, sucking on a candy, or using a zinc-containing mouth rinse can help to reduce bad breath.

Uses of Zinc in Sores

Cold sores are a type of sore that occurs as a result of exposure to a cold (herpes labialis). When zinc sulphate or zinc oxide is applied to the skin alone or in combination with other ingredients, the duration and severity of cold sores appear to be reduced.

Uses of Zinc in Skin 

Skin infection is caused by Leishmania parasites (Leishmania lesions). Zinc sulphate, taken orally or as a solution injected into lesions, helps people with this condition heal their lesions. It does not appear to be as effective as traditional treatments, however. Injections should only be given by a healthcare provider.

Conclusion:-

However, it is unknown to what extent it can protect against viral diseases. The covid-19 pandemic, on the other hand, has repurposed this light. According to some recommendations, it could be used in covid-19 patients and patients with lower respiratory infections. Furthermore, zinc has been described as a treatment for covid-19 by some medical professionals. Even though the results of efficacy studies have yet to be published.