Overview

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 19 Researches
7.6
USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 9 Reviews
8.3
Supplement Facts
Serving Size:  2 Gummies
Serving Per Container:  30
Amount Per Serving
%DV
Calories
20
 
Total Carbohydrate
7 g
3%1
Total Sugars
0 g
+
Vitamin C from Organic Emblic (Amla, Phyllanthus emblica) (fruit) Extract
22.5 mg
25%
Vitamin D (as D3)
5 mcg (200 IU)
25%
Zinc (as zinc amino acid chelate)
2.75 mg 
25%

Top Medical Research Studies

9
Zinc shortens cold duration variability
We explored how zinc lozenges affect the duration of the common cold through a detailed analysis of multiple trials. In particular, we focused on the Mossad (1996) trial involving zinc gluconate lozenges, which revealed an average reduction of cold duration by about 4.0 days. While that sounds promising, our findings through a quantile treatment effect (QTE) analysis tell a more nuanced story.

Interestingly, the QTE analysis showed that for individuals suffering from lengthy colds lasting 15 to 17 days, the zinc lozenges could shorten their illness by as much as 8 days. On the flip side, those with shorter, 2-day colds only experienced a 1-day reduction in sickness. This suggests that while zinc may help, its effectiveness varies significantly depending on the initial duration of the cold, making the overall average effect less informative than we might think.

Our examination extended to three trials that used zinc acetate lozenges, yielding a similar average reduction of around 2.7 days. However, again, those averages concealed varying effects for short and long colds, highlighting the importance of looking beyond simple averages in treatment studies.

Overall, we observed that zinc lozenges can indeed help with cold duration, but the extent of that help is very much dependent on how long a person has been suffering. This approach to understanding treatment effects through QTE analysis could have important implications not just for cold treatment but also for analyzing other health outcomes.
Read More
We explored how vitamin C affects the severity of common colds through a comprehensive review of available studies. By including only randomized, placebo-controlled trials where participants received at least 1 gram of vitamin C daily, we aimed to investigate both the overall duration of colds and the intensity of symptoms experienced.

Our analysis found that vitamin C significantly reduced the severity of cold symptoms by about 15%. Interestingly, it appears that the benefits are more pronounced for those experiencing severe symptoms compared to mild ones. In specific comparisons, vitamin C didn’t substantially affect the duration of mild symptoms but had a notable impact on how long severe symptoms lasted.

This insight is crucial, as the common cold often leads to absenteeism at work and school, with more severe symptoms playing a key role in this setback. By highlighting vitamin C's greater effectiveness against intense cold symptoms, we suggest that future research should continue to look into how this vitamin can be utilized in managing cold severity.
Read More
8
Vitamin C's potential benefits highlighted
We assessed the longstanding debate about vitamin C’s effectiveness in treating the common cold. This exploration reveals that evidence has consistently indicated that vitamin C can indeed help reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms in certain circumstances.

However, despite this evidence, mainstream medicine has often favored what we call eminence-based medicine, relying on influential figures rather than empirical data. The skepticism surrounding vitamin C largely traces back to three pivotal studies published in 1975, two in JAMA and one in the American Journal of Medicine. These studies have shaped the narrative in textbooks and nutritional guidelines, despite exhibiting notable flaws that we carefully examined.

Furthermore, we highlighted misleading reporting in recent randomized trials and critical editorials published in JAMA regarding vitamin C. While our critique largely focuses on this journal, it reflects a broader trend across medical literature, indicating a possible bias against acknowledging the benefits of vitamin C in fighting colds.
Read More

Most Useful Reviews

9
Excellent composition
3 people found this helpful
Ideal balance in this supplement; my child finds it beneficial for preventing the common cold. With natural vitamin C from amla extract and easily digestible zinc, it is very effective. Plus, it doesn't contain major allergens. The pleasant taste makes my daughter eager to eat them, and I highly recommend this reliable product.
Read More
9
Highly recommended vitamins
3 people found this helpful
I received these vitamins on time and find them excellent for preventing common colds. I give two gummies a day, and my child enjoys them immensely. I believe "Garden of Life" products are the best for my children.
Read More
9
Pleasant taste
1 people found this helpful
This immune support formula is one of the few that contains palatable Vitamin D. The cherry flavour is delicious, and it's easy to digest. It has become our "go-to" product during the common cold season.
Read More

Medical Researches

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 19 Researches
7.6
  • All Researches
9
Vitamin C aids common cold recovery
We explored the potential benefits of vitamin C as a supplementary treatment for relieving common cold symptoms. By analyzing data from 10 randomized controlled trials, all focused on patients in China, we sought to understand how combining vitamin C with antiviral therapy might enhance recovery.

Our findings revealed that vitamin C supplementation could significantly improve overall efficacy, with a reported relative risk of 1.27. Moreover, it was shown to shorten the time it takes for symptoms to get better and for patients to heal, compared to antiviral therapy alone.

While vitamin C seems to have a positive impact when paired with antiviral drugs, it’s essential to note that its individual effects might not be fully clear due to the combined treatment approach used in the studies. Nonetheless, vitamin C presents itself as a promising addition to traditional cold treatments, helping patients manage their symptoms more effectively.
Read More
We explored the effectiveness of zinc in combination with herbal polyphenols against respiratory RNA viruses, including the common cold. In this study, the researchers combined zinc picolinate with various flavonoids to see if it could reduce viral replication and load without harming healthy cells.

The results were quite promising, showing a significant reduction of 50-95% in the genome replication levels of viruses like the human coronavirus OC43, influenza A virus, and human metapneumovirus. This suggests that zinc, when paired with appropriate compounds, may play a beneficial role in treating infections that lead to the common cold.

However, it's important to note that while the study shows a notable decrease in viral activity, it did not specifically isolate the effects of zinc alone. Thus, we cannot definitively state that zinc by itself is effective against the common cold without considering the contributions of the other substances involved.

Overall, this research opens the door for developing a potential treatment that is not toxic and sourced from natural ingredients, which could be effective against various RNA viruses with the hope of remaining effective even amidst mutating strains.
Read More
9
Zinc shortens cold duration variability
We explored how zinc lozenges affect the duration of the common cold through a detailed analysis of multiple trials. In particular, we focused on the Mossad (1996) trial involving zinc gluconate lozenges, which revealed an average reduction of cold duration by about 4.0 days. While that sounds promising, our findings through a quantile treatment effect (QTE) analysis tell a more nuanced story.

Interestingly, the QTE analysis showed that for individuals suffering from lengthy colds lasting 15 to 17 days, the zinc lozenges could shorten their illness by as much as 8 days. On the flip side, those with shorter, 2-day colds only experienced a 1-day reduction in sickness. This suggests that while zinc may help, its effectiveness varies significantly depending on the initial duration of the cold, making the overall average effect less informative than we might think.

Our examination extended to three trials that used zinc acetate lozenges, yielding a similar average reduction of around 2.7 days. However, again, those averages concealed varying effects for short and long colds, highlighting the importance of looking beyond simple averages in treatment studies.

Overall, we observed that zinc lozenges can indeed help with cold duration, but the extent of that help is very much dependent on how long a person has been suffering. This approach to understanding treatment effects through QTE analysis could have important implications not just for cold treatment but also for analyzing other health outcomes.
Read More
We explored how vitamin C affects the severity of common colds through a comprehensive review of available studies. By including only randomized, placebo-controlled trials where participants received at least 1 gram of vitamin C daily, we aimed to investigate both the overall duration of colds and the intensity of symptoms experienced.

Our analysis found that vitamin C significantly reduced the severity of cold symptoms by about 15%. Interestingly, it appears that the benefits are more pronounced for those experiencing severe symptoms compared to mild ones. In specific comparisons, vitamin C didn’t substantially affect the duration of mild symptoms but had a notable impact on how long severe symptoms lasted.

This insight is crucial, as the common cold often leads to absenteeism at work and school, with more severe symptoms playing a key role in this setback. By highlighting vitamin C's greater effectiveness against intense cold symptoms, we suggest that future research should continue to look into how this vitamin can be utilized in managing cold severity.
Read More
8
Vitamin C's potential benefits highlighted
We assessed the longstanding debate about vitamin C’s effectiveness in treating the common cold. This exploration reveals that evidence has consistently indicated that vitamin C can indeed help reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms in certain circumstances.

However, despite this evidence, mainstream medicine has often favored what we call eminence-based medicine, relying on influential figures rather than empirical data. The skepticism surrounding vitamin C largely traces back to three pivotal studies published in 1975, two in JAMA and one in the American Journal of Medicine. These studies have shaped the narrative in textbooks and nutritional guidelines, despite exhibiting notable flaws that we carefully examined.

Furthermore, we highlighted misleading reporting in recent randomized trials and critical editorials published in JAMA regarding vitamin C. While our critique largely focuses on this journal, it reflects a broader trend across medical literature, indicating a possible bias against acknowledging the benefits of vitamin C in fighting colds.
Read More

User Reviews

USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 9 Reviews
8.3
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
9
Excellent composition
3 people found this helpful
Ideal balance in this supplement; my child finds it beneficial for preventing the common cold. With natural vitamin C from amla extract and easily digestible zinc, it is very effective. Plus, it doesn't contain major allergens. The pleasant taste makes my daughter eager to eat them, and I highly recommend this reliable product.
Read More
9
Highly recommended vitamins
3 people found this helpful
I received these vitamins on time and find them excellent for preventing common colds. I give two gummies a day, and my child enjoys them immensely. I believe "Garden of Life" products are the best for my children.
Read More
9
Pleasant taste
1 people found this helpful
This immune support formula is one of the few that contains palatable Vitamin D. The cherry flavour is delicious, and it's easy to digest. It has become our "go-to" product during the common cold season.
Read More
7.5
Supports immunity well
11 people found this helpful
Everyone knows that it is better not to give children multi-vitamins with combined vitamins and minerals. For children, it is preferable to choose supplements with a few suitable ingredients in optimal dosages. For me, this is Kids Immune Gummy from Garden of Life. It contains the essential vitamins C, D, and Z required for immunity, especially during the common cold season, and the gummy form is loved by children.
Read More
7.5
Immunity support
4 people found this helpful
This supplement contains vitamins C, D, and Z that are essential for immunity, particularly during the common cold season. The gummy form is a hit with children. If my review has been helpful, please like it. Wishing everyone good health!
Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

8
Trustworthy recommendation
We have used these gummies multiple times, and my child enjoys them. We use them for both prevention and when supporting immunity during a common cold. I recommend them!
7.5
Immunity support
4 people found this helpful
This supplement contains vitamins C, D, and Z that are essential for immunity, particularly during the common cold season. The gummy form is a hit with children. If my review has been helpful, please like it. Wishing everyone good health!
7.5
Supports immunity well
11 people found this helpful
Everyone knows that it is better not to give children multi-vitamins with combined vitamins and minerals. For children, it is preferable to choose supplements with a few suitable ingredients in optimal dosages. For me, this is Kids Immune Gummy from Garden of Life. It contains the essential vitamins C, D, and Z required for immunity, especially during the common cold season, and the gummy form is loved by children.
9
Excellent composition
3 people found this helpful
Ideal balance in this supplement; my child finds it beneficial for preventing the common cold. With natural vitamin C from amla extract and easily digestible zinc, it is very effective. Plus, it doesn't contain major allergens. The pleasant taste makes my daughter eager to eat them, and I highly recommend this reliable product.
9
Highly recommended vitamins
3 people found this helpful
I received these vitamins on time and find them excellent for preventing common colds. I give two gummies a day, and my child enjoys them immensely. I believe "Garden of Life" products are the best for my children.
9
Pleasant taste
1 people found this helpful
This immune support formula is one of the few that contains palatable Vitamin D. The cherry flavour is delicious, and it's easy to digest. It has become our "go-to" product during the common cold season.
We investigated how vitamin C affects the common cold, focusing on its potential for prevention and treatment. Research indicates that while vitamin C does not prevent colds in the general population when taken at doses over 1 g/day, it has been beneficial for individuals engaging in heavy physical activity, effectively halving their incidence of colds.

Looking into regular supplementation, we found that taking 1 g or more daily can reduce the severity of colds by about 15%. However, when it comes to starting vitamin C after cold symptoms begin, results are less consistent, though higher doses of 6-8 g/day did significantly shorten the duration of colds compared to lower doses.

Interestingly, historical studies showed that vitamin C might prevent pneumonia in specific populations, such as schoolboys or soldiers, but this doesn’t translate to the general public. While some trials indicated potential benefits for pneumonia patients, the evidence is not conclusive.

Overall, we see that given the evidence supporting reduced severity and duration of colds, along with its safety and affordability, it may be worth considering a higher dose of vitamin C for those looking to manage cold symptoms better.
We explored how vitamin C affects the severity of common colds through a comprehensive review of available studies. By including only randomized, placebo-controlled trials where participants received at least 1 gram of vitamin C daily, we aimed to investigate both the overall duration of colds and the intensity of symptoms experienced.

Our analysis found that vitamin C significantly reduced the severity of cold symptoms by about 15%. Interestingly, it appears that the benefits are more pronounced for those experiencing severe symptoms compared to mild ones. In specific comparisons, vitamin C didn’t substantially affect the duration of mild symptoms but had a notable impact on how long severe symptoms lasted.

This insight is crucial, as the common cold often leads to absenteeism at work and school, with more severe symptoms playing a key role in this setback. By highlighting vitamin C's greater effectiveness against intense cold symptoms, we suggest that future research should continue to look into how this vitamin can be utilized in managing cold severity.
8
Zinc reduces cold duration
We explored the impact of zinc supplementation on common cold symptoms through an extensive review of 20 randomized controlled trials. These studies focused on observing how micronutrients, especially zinc, can help manage the cold in healthy adults.

Our findings suggest that while zinc did not significantly prevent the incidence of cold or reduce symptom severity when compared to other micronutrients, it showed promising results in potentially shortening the duration of a cold. Specifically, we observed that zinc could cut down the duration of cold symptoms by approximately 2.25 days when used alone.

This reduction in duration could have a meaningful impact on daily life and overall productivity for those affected by the common cold. It's noteworthy that while zinc proves beneficial, other vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin D did not show the same effectiveness in this context.
9
Zinc shortens cold duration variability
We explored how zinc lozenges affect the duration of the common cold through a detailed analysis of multiple trials. In particular, we focused on the Mossad (1996) trial involving zinc gluconate lozenges, which revealed an average reduction of cold duration by about 4.0 days. While that sounds promising, our findings through a quantile treatment effect (QTE) analysis tell a more nuanced story.

Interestingly, the QTE analysis showed that for individuals suffering from lengthy colds lasting 15 to 17 days, the zinc lozenges could shorten their illness by as much as 8 days. On the flip side, those with shorter, 2-day colds only experienced a 1-day reduction in sickness. This suggests that while zinc may help, its effectiveness varies significantly depending on the initial duration of the cold, making the overall average effect less informative than we might think.

Our examination extended to three trials that used zinc acetate lozenges, yielding a similar average reduction of around 2.7 days. However, again, those averages concealed varying effects for short and long colds, highlighting the importance of looking beyond simple averages in treatment studies.

Overall, we observed that zinc lozenges can indeed help with cold duration, but the extent of that help is very much dependent on how long a person has been suffering. This approach to understanding treatment effects through QTE analysis could have important implications not just for cold treatment but also for analyzing other health outcomes.
7
Zinc's mixed effectiveness for colds
We observed that zinc has been highlighted as a potential remedy for alleviating symptoms of the common cold. The information indicates that zinc may play a significant role in treating cold symptoms, especially in adults. While conclusive and thorough evidence specifically isolating zinc's effects isn't entirely clear, it is often included among over-the-counter treatments that have shown effectiveness.

Zinc is typically administered to support quicker recovery from cold symptoms, which also include nasal congestion and sore throat. It’s essential that we keep in mind that not all evidence is of high quality, but some studies and anecdotal reports suggest that incorporating zinc may lead to some improvement in symptom management.

Furthermore, it's important to emphasize that when advising patients, we should be mindful of the limitations and mix of other treatments. Although zinc appears promising, it's crucial to inform individuals that effective treatment strategies extend beyond just zinc alone. While the potential benefits of zinc are appealing, more reliable research is necessary to fully endorse its effectiveness in cold treatment.

References

  1. Hemilä H, Chalker E. Vitamin C for the common cold and pneumonia. Pol Arch Intern Med. 2025;135. 10.20452/pamw.16926
  2. Hemilä H, Chalker E. Vitamin C reduces the severity of common colds: a meta-analysis. BMC Public Health. 2023;23:2468. 10.1186/s12889-023-17229-8
  3. Hemilä H, Chalker E. Bias against Vitamin C in Mainstream Medicine: Examples from Trials of Vitamin C for Infections. Life (Basel). 2022;12. 10.3390/life12010062
  4. Murni IK, Prawirohartono EP, Triasih R. Potential Role of Vitamins and Zinc on Acute Respiratory Infections Including Covid-19. Glob Pediatr Health. 2021;8:2333794X211021739. 10.1177/2333794X211021739
  5. Ran L, Zhao W, Wang H, Zhao Y, Bu H. Vitamin C as a Supplementary Therapy in Relieving Symptoms of the Common Cold: A Meta-Analysis of 10 Randomized Controlled Trials. Biomed Res Int. 2020;2020:8573742. 10.1155/2020/8573742
  6. Schloss J, Lauche R, Harnett J, Hannan N, Brown D, et al. Efficacy and safety of vitamin C in the management of acute respiratory infection and disease: A rapid review. Adv Integr Med. 2020;7:187. 10.1016/j.aimed.2020.07.008
  7. Kim TK, Lim HR, Byun JS. Vitamin C supplementation reduces the odds of developing a common cold in Republic of Korea Army recruits: randomised controlled trial. BMJ Mil Health. 2022;168:117. 10.1136/bmjmilitary-2019-001384
  8. Harrison SE, Oliver SJ, Kashi DS, Carswell AT, Edwards JP, et al. Influence of Vitamin D Supplementation by Simulated Sunlight or Oral D3 on Respiratory Infection during Military Training. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2021;53:1505. 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002604
  9. Shimizu Y, Ito Y, Uotsu N, Yui K. Intake of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D May Reduce the Severity of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection: Post hoc Analysis of a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Group Comparison Study. Nutrients. 2020;12. 10.3390/nu12123769
  10. Rondanelli M, Miccono A, Lamburghini S, Avanzato I, Riva A, et al. Self-Care for Common Colds: The Pivotal Role of Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Zinc, and in Three Main Immune Interactive Clusters (Physical Barriers, Innate and Adaptive Immunity) Involved during an Episode of Common Colds-Practical Advice on Dosages and on the Time to Take These Nutrients/Botanicals in order to Prevent or Treat Common Colds. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018;2018:5813095. 10.1155/2018/5813095
  11. Shimizu Y, Ito Y, Yui K, Egawa K, Orimo H. Intake of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 Reduces Duration and Severity of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Group Comparison Study. J Nutr Health Aging. 2018;22:491. 10.1007/s12603-017-0952-x
  12. Gleeson M. Immunological aspects of sport nutrition. Immunol Cell Biol. 2016;94:117. 10.1038/icb.2015.109
  13. Schmidt K, Zirkler S. [Dietary efficacy of a micronutrient combination in patients with recurrent upper respiratory tract infections. Results of a placebo-controlled double-blind study]. MMW Fortschr Med. 2011;153 Suppl 3:83.
  14. Schmidt K, Zirkler S. [Dietary efficacy of a micronutrient combination in patients with recurrent upper respiratory tract infections. Results of a placebo-controlled doubleblind study.]. MMW Fortschr Med. 2011;153:83. 10.1007/s15006-011-1630-2
  15. Nault D, Machingo TA, Shipper AG, Antiporta DA, Hamel C, et al. Zinc for prevention and treatment of the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2024;5:CD014914. 10.1002/14651858.CD014914.pub2
  16. Kreiser T, Zaguri D, Sachdeva S, Zamostiano R, Mograbi J, et al. Inhibition of Respiratory RNA Viruses by a Composition of Ionophoric Polyphenols with Metal Ions. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2022;15. 10.3390/ph15030377
  17. Hemilä H, Chalker E, Tukiainen J. Quantile Treatment Effect of Zinc Lozenges on Common Cold Duration: A Novel Approach to Analyze the Effect of Treatment on Illness Duration. Front Pharmacol. 2022;13:817522. 10.3389/fphar.2022.817522
  18. Wang MX, Win SS, Pang J. Zinc Supplementation Reduces Common Cold Duration among Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials with Micronutrients Supplementation. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2020;103:86. 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0718
  19. DeGeorge KC, Ring DJ, Dalrymple SN. Treatment of the Common Cold. Am Fam Physician. 2019;100:281.
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