Can zinc supplements shorten colds and reduce the progression of advanced macular degeneration?  “Yes, but not all supplements provide a dosage that has been proven effective.” says Tod Cooperman, M.D., President of ConsumerLab.com. ConsumerLab.com recently purchased popular zinc supplements, testing their contents and reviewing their dosage against product shown to work in clinical studies.
Zinc lozenges have been shown to reduce the duration and symptoms of a cold if taken properly. However, among four marketed zinc lozenges tested by ConsumerLab.com, only one (25%) provided the proven dosage.
A specific formula of zinc with antioxidants is known to reduce the progression of advanced macular degeneration, as demonstrated in the large Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). ConsumerLab.com found that two of the purchased products met this specification. Although nearly identical, one product cost 30% less than the other.
Zinc supplementation may be useful in treating other conditions including acne, depression, and anorexia nervosa, as well as to prevent and correct zinc deficiency.
ConsumerLab.com found that most general-use zinc supplements met quality standards. Although lead contamination can occur in zinc supplements, none of those recently tested were contaminated.
However, a large variation in price was found, with the cost to obtain 50 mg of zinc ranging from as little as 3 cents to as much as 18 cents, or even more for products with additional ingredients.
“Our report on zinc supplements can help guide consumers to products that are properly made and deliver the correct dosage for specific uses,” said Dr. Cooperman. He cautioned that people should avoid taking too much zinc over long periods of time, as it can have adverse effects, including reduced copper absorption and immune suppression.
The new report, Product Review of Zinc Supplements (Including Pills, Liquids, Lozenges and Vision Formulas), is available to subscribers here.
Products covered in the new report are:

• Bausch & Lomb PreserVision,
• Cold-Eeze Homeopathic Cold Remedy,
• Country Life Zinc Picolinate,
• CVS Pharmacy Zinc,
• DG (Dollar General) Health Zinc,
• DR (Duane Reade) Zinc,
• Finest Natural (Walgreens)  Zinc,
• GNC Zinc,
• Icaps,
• Life Extension Zinc Lozenges,
• Mason Natural Zinc,
• Nature Made Zinc,
• Nature’s Bounty Chelated Zinc,
• Nature’s Plus Animal Parade Kid Zinc,
• NOW Zinc Picolinate,
• Origin (Target) Zinc,
• Solgar Zinc,
• Trace Minerals Research Ionic Zinc,
• Twinlab ZMA Fuel,
• Vitamin Shoppe Minerals Zinc,
• Vitamin World Chelated Zinc,
• Whole Foods Chelated Zinc, and
• Zand Lemon Zinc Herbalozenge.

The report also includes extensive information about how to buy and use these supplements and potential side effects.
ConsumerLab.com is a leading provider of consumer information and independent evaluations of products that affect health and nutrition, with online reports for over 900 products. The company is privately held and based in Westchester County, New York. It has no ownership from, or interest in, companies that manufacture, distribute, or sell consumer products. Membership to www.ConsumerLab.com is available online.