HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- If you've come down with a case of the sniffles, you may not find a cure for the common cold, but you can find help.

That's according to promising new research.

"The study is actually very exciting," said Dr. Callie Hollenshead, a family practitioner.

The study from the Cochrane Library suggests over the counter supplements that contain zinc can shorten the length and severity of the common cold.

"It suggests that people who start taking zinc lozenges or syrup the first day, they experience the symptoms, have less symptoms for a shorter amount of time," Hollenshead said.

That's nothing to sneeze at. According to the Cochrane study, adults develop between two and four colds each year. That actually accounts for 40 percent of days off work.

"It can knock you down for a couple of days," said Jennifer Hooks, a cold sufferer.

While zinc may get you on your feet faster, you have plenty of choices in the cold and flu aisle at the drug store. Zinc comes in all forms, from liquid drops to lozenges.

"I've tried a Cold Eeze one time, and it does help lessen the symptoms, but it made me kind of sick," Hooks said.

As always, too much of a good thing may be a bad thing.

"Zinc lozenges, if they're taken too often, can cause nausea and a bad taste reaction," Hollenshead said.

After sniffling, sneezing and coughing your way through a cold, you may be reaching for anything that can help.