Marian Rivera

Power couple Marian and Dingdong Dantes, who are both celebrating their birthdays this month of August, are also known to be health and fitness buffs. Both – in tandem and individually -- have been using their popularity and clout in espousing healthy living for children and parents alike.

Marian, for instance, is being seen recently in traditional and social media as strongly advocating the adequate use of Zinc, especially for those who are nursing cough. 

Marian, herself exposed to viruses and other elements as an actress and a mother, professes the importance of Zinc as an integral part of health supplementation to boost immunity.

The actress is aware that medical experts and nutritionists have been listing Zinc as among the Top 3 nutrients that the body needs to boost immunity, especially at this time of pandemic and abnormal weather patterns due to climate change.  

With the onset of El Nino season that is expected to last up to early 2024, the Department of Health has urged the public to be extra mindful of their health and well-being as the extreme heat, scarcity of clean water, and frequent rains could trigger diseases like asthma, cholera, dengue, diarrhea, fatigue, food poisoning, heat cramp, heat stroke, nausea, sunburn, typhoid fever, and other illnesses due to consumption of food affected by red tide. 

This makes the consumption of Zinc and other essential minerals more critical to make our body better equipped in warding off and recovering from illnesses.

In an article titled “The Nutrition Source” published by The Harvard University School of Public Health, Zinc was listed as critical for the growth and function of immune cells, along with Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Selenium, Iron, and Protein.  

Zinc is a necessity in speeding up the activity of hundreds of enzymes that our body needs to function properly. It is essential during pregnancy, infancy, childhood, and adolescence due to its contribution to healthy growth and development. 

Due to Zinc's major role in enhancing immune function, protein and DNA synthesis, wound healing, and cell signaling and division, the United States - National Institutes of Health (US-NIH) said male adults need 11 mg of zinc daily, 8 mg for female adults, 11 mg when pregnant and 12 mg when lactating. 

The Food and Nutrition Research Institute, meanwhile, recommended daily Zinc supplementation of 7 mg for adult males and 5 mg for adult females as reflected in the 2018 revised Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intake for Filipinos. Experts, of course, suggest higher levels when treating colds and cough.

Zinc as lung protector 

A study published by the US-NIH said it is probable that Zinc can help the lungs better fight off harmful particles, viruses, bacteria, and other disease-causing organisms by clearing the respiratory system's airways before they could reach the organ's delicate tissues. 

"Zinc was shown to have a significant impact on viral infections through modulation of viral particle entry, fusion, replication, viral protein translation and further release for a number of viruses including those involved in respiratory system pathology," the study said.

Zinc as cold, cough treatment 

Zinc has long been used in the treatment of common cold, helping reduce the duration and severity of its signs and symptoms. 

In the Philippines, the Unilab Consumer Health Group developed the Solmux Advance Carbocisteine + Zinc, probably the first cough medicine in the world to have such potent formulation.

An observational study done by an independent investigator showed that the combination of 500 mg Carbocisteine and 5 mg Zinc present in Solmux Advance Capsule has been proven to have reduced the symptoms of cough in 3 days and resolution in just 5.52 days. 

Carbocisteine causes phlegm to be less thick and sticky and thus easier to cough up and expel, while Zinc has been found to play an important role in highly proliferating cells of the human body, like the immune system. 

More Zinc 

Unilab, the leading and most-trusted pharmaceutical company in the Philippines, then released the Solmux Advance Suspension, which doubles the amount of Zinc after several studies demonstrated the benefits (reducing incidence and shortening of duration) of zinc supplementation in respiratory infection and its symptoms.

Some studies showed that Zinc supplementation resulted in: 45% reduction in the incidence of acute lower respiratory tract infection; elderly patients with normal zinc concentrations from supplementation of Zinc (7mg) and essential vitamins had a shorter duration (less 1.5 days) of lower respiratory infection and antibiotic use; and cough duration reduced in subjects receiving zinc pooled estimate was 46% shorter duration. 

The new Solmux Advance Suspension contains 27.44 mg of Zinc Sulfate Monohydrate for every 60-ml bottle. This means that every 10-ml dose of Solmux Advance Suspension has a potent combination of about 500 mg of Carbocisteine and 10 mg of Zinc.