Abstract | BACKGROUND:
COLD-fX (CVT-E002), a proprietary extract of the roots of North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium), rich in poly-furanosyl-pyranosyl-saccharides, has been found efficacious in the prevention of respiratory infections in institutionalized seniors and healthy adults. OBJECTIVE: We examined the efficacy of COLD-fX in the prevention of acute respiratory illness (ARI) in community dwelling seniors. DESIGN: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial. INTERVENTION: The participants were asked to take 2 capsules/day of either COLD-fX or placebo (200 mg/ capsule) for a period of 4 months. SUBJECTS: A total of 43 community-dwelling adults aged 65 years or older were recruited. Following one month of intervention, subjects were immunized with influenza vaccine. OUTCOME MEASURES: Subjects recorded the incidence and duration of respiratory symptoms during the study. They also recorded the incidence of adverse events during the study. RESULTS: The frequency and duration of ARI during the first two months of the study was found to be similar in the two groups. However, during the last 2 months (November and December) significantly fewer subjects in the COLD-fX group 32% reported ARI compared to the placebo group 62%. The duration of symptoms during the last 2 months was significantly shorter in the COLD-fX group than the placebo group (5.6 days in the COLD-fX group vs 12.6 days in the placebo group). There was no influenza illness circulating in the community during the period of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Ingestion of COLD-fX by immunocompetent seniors during an early "cold and flu" season reduced the relative risk and duration of respiratory symptoms by 48% and 55%, respectively. Daily COLD-fX administration can thus be a safe, natural therapeutic means for the prevention of ARI in healthy seniors.
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Authors | Janet E McElhaney, Vinti Goel, Benjamin Toane, Johnathan Hooten, Jacqueline J Shan |
Journal | Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)
(J Altern Complement Med)
Vol. 12
Issue 2
Pg. 153-7
(Mar 2006)
ISSN: 1075-5535 [Print] United States |
PMID | 16566675
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- COLD-fX
- Influenza Vaccines
- Plant Extracts
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Topics |
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Common Cold
(drug therapy, prevention & control)
- Double-Blind Method
- Female
- Humans
- Influenza Vaccines
(administration & dosage)
- Influenza, Human
(drug therapy, prevention & control)
- Male
- Panax
- Phytotherapy
(methods)
- Plant Extracts
(therapeutic use)
- Plant Roots
- Treatment Outcome
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