In Hong Kong, when you have a cold it's common to eat a soup made with dried lizard, dates, and yams. We can't vouch for the science behind reptile soup, but we do know that proper nutrition can help fight off illness, shortening its duration.

If you're looking to bounce back quickly, a new study in the journal Nutrients suggests that taking some standard supplements may do the trick.

The 12-week study measured markers of immune function and blood levels of immune-boosting nutrients in people ages 55 to 75. One group took a daily multivitamin that included 1,000 mg of vitamin C and 10 mg of zinc; the other took a placebo.

The researchers also assessed who became ill over that time period and how they fared.

The same number of people got sick in the supplement and placebo groups, but those taking the supplements had higher blood levels of vitamin C and zinc — known immune-boosters — and supplement-takers who got ill reported much milder symptoms and their symptoms vanished twice as fast.

Because so many people shortchange themselves on nutrients, we recommend taking a daily multivitamin (half in the morning, half at night) that contains nutrient levels near the recommended dietary allowances.

And if you do get a cold? It's good to know that multiple studies with solid data have found zinc lozenges and vitamin C (maximum of 2,000 mg daily), along with chicken (not lizard) soup can shorten the duration and the severity of your illness.