Products containing zinc can help with symptoms of the common cold, but may also be effective in treating symptoms of bronchitis. Depending on your condition, zinc can be a helpful supplement to help reduce your risk of getting bronchitis and alleviating symptoms like mucus production and coughing. Before using zinc, consult your health care provider to make sure it is appropriate for you to consume.
Zinc
Zinc is a mineral that helps promote healthy immune system and neurological functioning, aids in growth and development, encourages wound healing and plays a role in DNA synthesis. The body does not store zinc, so it must be consumed daily, says the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Most people meet the daily requirement of zinc through a multivitamin and a balanced diet. This mineral can be found in foods like fortified cereals, oysters, pork, chickpeas, almonds, milk and cheese. It can also be consumed in supplement form through lozenges, sprays and tablets.
Bronchitis
When the airways in your lungs become inflamed, this is a condition known as bronchitis. This can be acute or chronic, with the acute kind typically being caused by a viral infection, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Chronic bronchitis is usually seen in smokers. Symptoms of bronchitis can include a mucus-producing cough, wheezing, sore throat, fatigue and fever. A diagnosis of bronchitis is made from a thorough examination by your doctor, and she may also take a blood or sputum sample. Treatment for acute bronchitis includes cough medicine; chronic bronchitis treatment usually involves corticosteroids or bronchodilators.
Effects of Zinc on Bronchitis
If you are deficient in zinc, your immune system may be weakened, making you more susceptible to infections that can cause bronchitis. Taking a zinc supplement can help strengthen your immune system if you are deficient. Zinc will not treat bronchitis because the illness is caused by a virus, but it may help shorten the duration of symptoms, since many of these viruses also cause the common cold, says the University of Maryland. If your doctor prescribes antibiotics for your bronchitis, zinc can lessen the effectiveness of these drugs, so talk with your doctor before taking a zinc supplement.
Considerations
If you think you have bronchitis, see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment; do not simply take zinc. Do not take more zinc than is recommended; too much zinc can actually weaken the immune system, making you even more susceptible to infections like bronchitis. Because high doses of zinc can also deplete copper levels in your body, take 2 mg of copper with your iron supplement to avoid a deficiency, suggests the University of Maryland Medical Center. Tell your doctor about other supplements or medications you are taking, to avoid any adverse interactions.
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