At home, a tickle in the throat and a runny nose on a cold wintry day meant one thing: A Mom the nurse prognosis-take some vitamin C and start washing your hands twice as often (although 2 times 0 was still 0, I would point out…).  The common cold is named aptly for an estimated 1 billion colds that are “caught” by Americans each year.   Because of the continual prevalence of cold viruses that we get year after year, many research groups have tested alternative methods, such as the one my mom would continually give, to see if a dependable result could be obtained.  From among these myriad studies results indicated that most supplements (including Vitamin C, Zinc, and Echinacea) have produced inconclusive effects for prevention, but moderate benefits for treatment of symptoms accompanying a cold and reduction of length of symptoms(especially vitamin c!  Mom you got it on the nose, literally!).  Sound advice when thinking about any alternative dosages is to consult with a physician and take into account any drugs currently prescribed as their effects can be dampened or enhanced by alternative supplements. 

For more information on alternative cold remedies and research on them Visit: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/flu/ataglance.htm#fightingcolds

Article by Tyler Earley