INFLUENZA/COMMON COLD

N-acetyl L-cysteine (NAC)

1. Supplementation with N-acetylcysteine (600 mg twice/day for 6 months) reduced influenza and influenza-like episodes, severity and length of episodes in elderly subjects during the winter compared to placebo.

Attenuation of influenza -like symptomatology and improvement of cell-mediated immunity with long-term N-acetylcysteine treatment.
De Flora S; Grassi C; Carati L

ZINC
(1 micromole = one-thousandth of a gram-molecule)

2. Nasal gel with zinc (33 micromoles per liter) given within 24 – 48 hours of onset of symptoms reduced duration and severity of cold as compared to placebo treatment.

QJM. 2003 Jan;96(1):35-43.
Comment in:
J Fam Pract. 2003 May;52(5):352-3.
Effect of zincum gluconicum nasal gel on the duration and symptom severity of the common cold in otherwise healthy adults.
Mossad SB.
PMID: 12509647

3. Those using treatment of common cold with zinc lozenges (13.3 mg/zinc) every 2 hours for duration of symptoms had fewer days with cold symptoms than did those without zinc treatment.

Ann Intern Med. 1996 Jul 15;125(2):81-8.
Comment in:
    ACP J Club. 1996 Nov-Dec;125(3):72.
    Ann Intern Med. 1996 Jul 15;125(2):142-4.
    Ann Intern Med. 1997 Jun 15;126(12):986-8.
    Ann Intern Med. 1997 May 1;126(9):738-9.
    Ann Intern Med. 1997 May 1;126(9):738; discussion 739.
Zinc gluconate lozenges for treating the common cold. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Mossad SB, Macknin ML, Medendorp SV, Mason P.
PMID: 8678384

SELENIUM
(1 microgram = 0.001 milligrams)

4. Compared to placebo, supplementation with selenium (100 micrograms/day) and zinc (20 mg) decreased the frequency of infectious events in elderly institutionalized patients who were also receiving vitamin C (120 mg), beta-carotene (6 mg) and vitamin E (15 mg) over a 2-year period.

Ann Nutr Metab. 1997;41(2):98-107.
Effect of micronutrient supplementation on infection in institutionalized elderly subjects: a controlled trial.
Girodon F, Lombard M, Galan P, Brunet-Lecomte P, Monget AL, Arnaud J, Preziosi P, Hercberg S.
PMID: 9267584