Zinc and green tea supplementation have both been independently studied for supporting immune health during cold and flu-like illness in non-hospitalized patients with clinical trials demonstrating promising but inconsistent results. Combination therapy may offer an improved effect as the antioxidant compounds found in green tea have been shown to increase cellular zinc concentrations thereby inhibiting viral replication. This study seeks to evaluate the effect of combination supplementation using established doses of zinc and green tea extract on symptom duration and severity from cold and flu-like illness, including COVID-19, in adult community patients enrolled in a randomized placebo-controlled trial.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
17
Compounded capsules containing each zinc citrate, green tea extract, and ascorbic acid.
Compounded capsules containing microcrystalline cellulose.
University of Missouri
Columbia, Missouri, United States
Number of Patients Who Recovered From Cold and Flu-like Symptoms
Recovery is defined as achieving a daily total symptom severity score of 0 or 1 within 7 days using an established 12 symptom scoring system, with a severity score ranging from 0-absent to 3-very severe for each symptom assessed (max of 36 points possible; higher scores indicate a greater severity of symptoms)
Time frame: 7 days of follow-up
Number of Patients With Self-reported Adverse Events
Adverse events collected include: nausea, vomiting, indigestion, worsening of shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, allergic reaction including skin rash, and need to seek medical care (e.g. hospitalization or physician visit) for a suspected study drug related adverse effect
Time frame: 7 days of follow-up
Number of Patients Who Reported Days of Absence and/or Healthcare Visits
Absence includes missed days from work or school and healthcare visits include hospitalization or physician office visit(s) for respiratory viral illness related complications
Time frame: 7 days of follow-up
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