Do any supplements help prevent or treat a cold?

I used to get colds and 'flu regularly, and frequently suffered from sinus issues. Since taking Propolis capsules for 20 years, I have never had anymore.

Wellness is my go to if I think I am coming down with the flu.(3-3X a day) Wellness worked for Covid-19.. Took those 6 pills a few days and felt better, than I took NAC and really felt better.
Colds I have a warm glass of Emergen-C

I have taken Wellness Formula by Source Naturals for the purpose of cold abortion and treatment (i.e., I only start taking it at the first sign of symptoms and then continuously through any cold) for over 14 years. I'm always hesitant to offer recommendations, but I can say that a strong majority of the time I feel initial cold symptoms or have been exposed to a cold (like from my roommates having it) and take Wellness Formula, I end up not experiencing a cold at all, so my experience has been quite positive. If you decide to try it, I recommend the tablets instead of the capsules since only half as many are required (3 vs. 6), and with the capsules I've sometimes coughed up the "dust" inside the capsules later on, which is quite unpleasant. However, be absolutely sure you have a chaser ready, because those tablets are NASTY tasting (and smelling)!

Cold-eeze has worked wonders for me. I am extremely susceptible to colds. I have tried zycam but found it to be significantly less effective for myself. I am not affiliated with anything above.

Reading the updates to an older article. This is why I became a member - to not waste time and money on supposed cures, but I'm also open minded to try new things and want good health! Lots of comments about a product appearing to work for an individual who then feels it is no longer necessary to get a flu shot. As someone who was hospitalized multiple times for respiratory infections as a child, I have been getting my flu shot pretty regularly for about 15 to 20 years since I became an adult and got easy access through my employer. Just because you didn't get sick doesn't mean you didn't spread the flu. These are pre-pandemic articles I liked to share about the benefits of the flu vaccine. If I can help kids avoid the hospital like I did as a kid, then I'm all for it! I'm all for taking some epicor, zinc, and/or quercetin to integrate all of my options for good health.
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/kids-health/mandatory-flu-shots-kept-small-kids-out-hospitals-n46186
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2014/03/uk-flu-study-many-are-infected-few-are-sick

Beta glucan in some studies is maybe the ultimate immune system support item. I have had no major sickness other than digestive issues in 3 years of using it. I don't get flu shots anymore. I visit a old person's retirement home environment a couple of times a week and work in a construction type environment in and outside, sometimes eat with dirty hands. I am in no means saying Beta Glucan can upset my stomach. Bad food does that.

My go to for signs of a cold is Grapefruit Seed Extract. IMHO, Taken 3 times a day at first sign and until symptoms decline has kept my 80 year old body and my college going granddaughter cold free for the 2 years I have known about it.

To defeat a cold I use a product called Viragon from Baseline Nutritionals. It has never failed me when taken at the very first symptom - even when I'm not sure it's a symptom yet. Doesn't do a thing if taken too late.

The downsides are 1) it's not cheap and 2) it tastes awful. Well it would - it contains things like horseradish. Well worth it though, in my opinion.

I have no financial interest in this or a competing product.

Missing from this list is elderberry extract. Taken at the first minor sign of a cold it can prevent the cold. Taken after it starts it can reduce the length and severity. This is from my own experience, that of the person who recommended it, and the experience of every person to whom I have recommended it.

I have had extraordinarily good experience over many many years using tincture (liquid pure) Echinacea for preventing colds from settling in and taking over. My fave brand is Herb Pharm (usually Super Echinacea), but I have used others. This my experience, and also works for my husband. This works best when 1. I catch it early, at first notice of symptoms like scratchy throat, a wet-ish sneeze, a bit of a drip, and 2. I use 2 or 3 full droppers-full (depending on how incipient and strong the symptoms) in a little water up to several times a day for up to a couple of days. Often symptoms retreat within a day.

While there is "little quality evidence to support these remedies" [homeopathic remedies, that is], there is now clear evidence that homeopathic preparations are no better than placebo.

My readings show that beta glucan (1,3 and 1,6) has properties that helps with many infections. I have found it useful. Also looked at any possible negative effects of beta gluten and found none. I would love to have CL comment.

Please address the use of mushrooms for their ability to boost immunity, like Reishi mushrooms and the others included in supplements such as Host Defense by MyCommunity. They have outstanding reviews on Amazon, and when I had a review of SpectraCell Lab results, I was told I should take Host Defense to boost my immunity.

I have not seen any comments about EPICOR ~ the supplement derived from yeast ~ which my family and I have taken daily during the winter months for a few years to prevent colds ~ it works !!

I have been using ELDERBERRY STANDARIZED for decades. In Germany it is taken throughout flu season. Echinacea when taken over 10 days lowers immune system. Too much zinc has toxic effects. STANDARDIZED ELDERBERRY, has been my go to for decades. When I fly I take one prior to flying and then another after landing. Now, I no longer get airplane flus or colds. Just be sure it is standardized otherwise who knows what you are getting. Haven't had the flu in years. No flu vaccine for me. If you do get sick take Elderberry ASAP and your flu or cold days and severity will be greatly reduced.
Good life and good health to all.
Sobe

My son had purchased a zinc solution for use in detecting zinc deficiency. Feeling a cold coming on and being aware of Zicam, a zinc nasal spray product for dealing with colds, I decided to try snorting some of the solution up each nostril. I feel this worked in one application to knock out the cold virus. I have used it two or three times now. I believe Zicam is no longer sold in this country as there were reports that it permanently damaged the sense of smell in some users. The zinc solution I have is zinc sulfate heptahydrate in purified water, whereas Zicam contains zinc acetate and zinc gluconate and other things.

Umcka Original Drops work great for me. It is best to start before the cold symptoms really take hold. If my throat gets scratchy or sore, or I'm sneezing more than I should... you know that time in process when you naively hope it won't get worse but then it does. Start then.

I will also start it when I know I've been exposed, such as when my partner has gotten sick, or when I've been in a car with someone in the contagious phase. Then I don't get sick at all.

It seems to keep the symptoms from getting worse while my immune system knocks out the virus. I take it up to 5 times a day for a few days, then taper off over a couple of weeks. I've avoided having a full blown cold for years now.

They also have a Cold & Flu version, but I haven't tested that.

There are two protocols I have used over the past 5 years to prevent colds and nip them in the bud when the symptoms first surface. Before i disclose the protocols let me add that prior to 5 years ago a routinely had 4-6 upper respiratory events a year with a severe episode of bronchitis once ever 2-3 years. The first protocol is started at the first signs of a viral infection. It involves following the anti-viral program spelled out in the Life extension website at LEF.org. The ingredients include supplements having antiviral properties. These include pure garlic, Cimetidine (from Tagamet), DHEA, Lactoferrin, Zinc Loenges, Aged Garlic Extract (Kyolic brand) and Melatonin. For the last two years I have not used this protocol as I have had no serious cold symptoms. Two years ago I started taking Glutathione (GSH), the Setria formulation, 1000 mg/day. The friend who put me onto GSH claims to have not had a serious cold in 15 years.

At the first sign of a cold, andrographis capsules, 3 x day for a few days and the cold does not develop and symptoms are gone.

Does the herb "andrographis" have an effect on colds?

Try cold fx it really helps! Personal experience.

I find the combination of Yin Chiao and Oscillococcinum to be infallible. HOWEVER the Oscillo is only effective if taken at that first moment when you think you "might" be getting a cold. Take it then follow with Yin Chiao for three days, whether or not you feel better, which you most likely will. I also use zinc lozenges. Remember with the Oscillo to follow the instructions for all homeopathic remedies -- no peppermint, alcohol, coffee, clean mouth, etc.

Can any of this be generalized to influenza? If not, could you do a follow-up article about supplements and the flu?