Plain zinc gluconate tastes awful, and just swallowing it isn t enough to treat a cold. You have to suck on zinc gluconate to get its symptom-banishing effects. They may taste good, but the cold-stopping capabilities of the zinc are completely inactivated, according to Dr. Godfrey. In addition to its bad taste, plain zinc gluconate can cause mouth soreness, but it will do the job. I guess it depends on how you look at a cold, says John H. Turco, Ph.D., director of the Dartmouth College Health Service.
Some people feel like a cold isn t a tremendous setback.
But obviously, if you can get rid of some of the symptoms, it s probably worth it. The information given here is designed to help you make informed decisions about your health. In larger amounts, vitamins and minerals can have powerful druglike effects on your body. It is possible to overdose on certain vitamins and minerals, and it is possible to experience side effects. Vitamins and minerals can also interact with medications.