Zinc and the COPD Patient

In my last article, I mentioned that supplements such as Vitamin C and Zinc can help to relieve prevent the respiratory problems which often accompany a cold, and therefore possibly prevent it from becoming a more serious condition. We are probably all familiar with Vitamin C, the "Sunshine vitamin", as it used to be called in the orange juice commercials. Zinc, on the other hand, is a relatively new mineral as far as treatment of cold symptoms goes, and I for one was not really familiar with its effects and benefits.

Zinc is a mineral that is necessary for proper functioning of several body systems, and while it is not required in large doses, the lack of it in the diet is common in many groups of people. As a result, minor deficiencies in Zinc are common. Without Zinc, the body's immune system does not properly function, and as a result, individuals have difficulties with fighting off infections and other illnesses. This is a critical deficiency in people who have chronic respiratory problems such as COPD, since a reduction in immune function can cause major health problems. The recommended dosages of zinc are:

Infants 0–12 months, 5 mg

Children 1–10 years, 10 mg

Males 11 years and older, 15 mg

Females 11 years and older, 12 mg

Pregnant women, 15 mg

Nursing women, 16–19 mg

In addition to helping build the immune system, Zinc can actually kill the virus which causes colds if taken in large doses when symptoms first appear. Usually, in this case, Zinc is taken in the form of lozenges, usually at two hour intervals. Research indicates that if this is done, the symptoms will disappear sooner than if the cold is left to run its course.

What does this mean to the COPD sufferer? As those of us with COPD know, breathing is difficult enough under normal circumstances, however when the symptoms of the "common cold" block our airways, the increased difficulty can cause respiratory distress. For many of us, the medications which we take to treat our COPD and other related conditions, may preclude taking many of the medications which are designed to relieve the symptoms of the cold as well, so we suffer through increased breathing difficulties, which could be reduced or eliminated through this simple, natural supplement.

In addition, the effect of increasing immune system functioning can prevent the virus that causes the common cold from causing other infections in the respiratory system which could lead to serious complications. By following the recommendations for Zinc intake, the overall health of an individual will improve, due to increased immune system functioning, and it appears that the effects of a cold will not cause the individual to develop a more serious respiratory problem. It seems to me that taking this supplement is a good insurance policy against illness in general, and respiratory problems in particular.

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