For many people, autumn is cold season, though the fact is that low temperature alone doesn’t cause the cold. Colder weather stresses us out, weakens our immune response and definitely encourages people to stay inside and huddle up. That makes it easier for cold viruses to spread, but it’s the virus that makes you sick - not the temperature. It’s easy to see where the idea that you can “catch a chill” from low temperatures come from. People traditionally load up on Vitamin C when they feel a cold coming on or want to avoid one. That’s not a bad idea, but if you’re in this position you should also consider a zinc supplement.

Zinc is distinct among natural wellness treatments in that there is a great deal of mainstream medical literature suggesting that it can at least ameliorate cold symptoms. This medical study is one of several that support the use of zinc as a cold treatment. The jury’s not out yet, but something good is happening, and using zinc for this purpose is actually more practical than Vitamin C, which demonstrates its best effects in “megadoses” that might not be palatable for the average person. You should also take zinc in moderation; high doses (such as you find in lozenges) sometimes have annoying side effects like stomach upset. The best solution is to take it regularly, in moderate doses. That’s the role our vitamin supplement plays for general immune enhancement. Our formulation combines zinc with Vitamin C, a B-complex and mineral nutrients.

Zinc is for more than just colds. It’s a neurotransmitter, antioxidant and is used by your body for vital biological functions. For example, the zinc finger chemical structure binds to DNA to relay genetic information. (Note, too, that the zinc finger commonly binds cysteine, so proper zinc levels maximize the effectiveness of Immunocal/HMS90, which provides cysteine supplementation for immune enhancement). So no matter the season, it’s a good idea to take zinc regularly.