Colds, the most common reason for seeing a doctor in the U.S., account for 1 billion illnesses over the course of a year. Colds are not a single illness, but a condition caused by more than 100 different viruses. On average, adults have two to four colds per year, and children have 6 to 10. Antibiotics don't cure colds because they're caused by viruses, not bacteria. Many people turn to supplements to prevent, shorten or treat colds, but there's no definitive proof that any of the touted over-the-counter supplements really work. Always ask your doctor before taking any over-the-counter supplements.
Characteristics
Most colds begin one to two days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms peak two to four days later. Typical cold symptoms include runny nose, sneezing and possibly a mild cough. Fever doesn't usually occur with colds, which usually last 10 days, although some supplements claim to shorten the duration.
Types
Supplements frequently recommended for colds include echinacea, an herb also used to treat infections; garlic; vitamin C; and zinc, a mineral.
Effectiveness
Studies on the effectiveness of all the popular over-the counter cold medications have been mixed. Zinc lozenges may shorten a cold's duration by several days, according to several studies reported in the March 2007 Alternative Medicine Review by naturopathic doctor Mario Roxas. Zinc intranasal spray did not show as much benefit. Zinc may have the greatest effectiveness when taken in the first 24 hours after symptoms start, MayoClinic.com says. Echinacea may decrease the risk of getting a cold or reduce symptoms, says the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, but different preparations were used for studies. Some experts also feel that studies aren't all well designed. Both garlic and vitamin C suffer from the same problems: While some studies show benefits, others do not, and not all studies are well designed.
Risks
Some over-the-counter cold preparations can have serious side effects. Intranasal zinc can cause permanent damage to your sense of smell; the U.S. Food and Drug Administration removed three preparations from the market due to complaints. Zinc can also cause nausea and a bad taste in the mouth. Echinacea may interfere with medications taken to suppress the immune system and should not be taken by people who have had an organ transplant, UMMC warns. Garlic can increase the risk of bleeding in people who taking blood-thinning medications.
Benefits
Some studies have shown that taking garlic, zinc, echinacea or vitamin C can shorten the duration or decrease the symptoms of the common cold. If you have no risk factors for complications, and your medical doctor approves, it won't hurt and might help to take supplements for a few days at the beginning of a cold.
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