Cold fX

Template:Advert Cold-fX is a natural cold and flu supplement claimed to strengthen the immune system. Health Canada recently approved a comprehensive treatment claim for Cold-fX, stating it "helps reduce the frequency, severity, and duration of cold & flu symptoms by boosting the immune system." It is believed to be the first medicine in Canada approved to fight colds and flu by boosting the immune system.

The Discovery

A team of 25 international scientists in the field of phytomedicines and natural health products from the University of Alberta formed a company in 1992 to develop products for disease prevention. The team looked for ways to apply natural medicines of the East to the rigor and standardization of Western science.

These scientists identified a group of molecules in North American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) that produced the strongest immune-boosting effect of all the natural sources they had studied. A U.S. patent was granted for Cold-fX in 2002. In 1995, the scientists also developed an internationally recognized technology called ChemBioPrint that ensures that each capsule delivers precise chemical identity and biological activity consistently from batch to batch. This technology is an industry first for meaningful standardization.

Clinical Evidence

Seven clinical trials have shown that COLD-fX is safe, and supports its intended use. Scientific studies have been published in nine peer-reviewed medical journals, including the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Some of the Cold-fX clinical trial findings include:

• significantly enhanced the body’s first line of defense: the Natural Killer (NK) and Macrophage immune cells
• significantly enhanced production of cytokines which are critical to activate the body’s second line of defense, the T-lymphocytes
• reduced the relative risk of recurrent colds and the flu
• significantly reduced the severity and duration of cold and flu symptoms
• was safe and effective in strengthening the immune system

In addition, International Olympic Committee (IOC) protocol testing demonstrated that Cold-fX did not contain or induce any banned substances. Five Canadian universities and a major U.S. medical centre are now conducting clinical trials and scientific studies on COLD-fX.

Medical Recognition

Since its launch into the U.S., COLD-fX has received several reviews within the health/medical community:

• The University of California’s UC Berkeley Wellness Letter lauded COLD-fX for its “well designed” clinical trials, “promising results” and recent stamp of approval from Health Canada in a review of 60 nutritional supplements taken from a list of 29,000 products currently available in the U.S..

• The Centre for Science in the Public Interest,recently conducted a comprehensive medical review of 10 popular natural cold remedies. A leading public health watchdog and consumer advocacy group, it regularly publishes the Nutrition Action Healthletter, which is mailed to 900,000 subscribers in the United States and Canada. Its recent review concluded that “…Cold-fX is the only remedy we found with any evidence that it might improve your chances of getting through the cold and flu season without coming down with something.”

• The American Botanical Council (ABC), North America’s leading nonprofit research and education organization on herbal medicines, issued a report prepared by leading U.S. cold and flu experts concluding that Cold-fX demonstrated “impressive” benefits to users.

Athlete Usage

Through the years, the popularity of COLD-fX has grown, helped in a major way by athlete endorsements. Over 300 elite Canadian athletes use COLD-fX regularly and 27 professional hockey teams and several football teams have also used the product. Company spokespeople include: Olympic Gold Medalist Clara Hughes, Hockey Legend Mark Messier, and Canadian hockey commentator Don Cherry, who were all approached by the company after they made it known that they were using COLD-fX. Other celebrities who have identified themselves as COLD-fX users include internationally renowned author Margaret Atwood, gifted theatrical vocalist Michael Burgess, Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila, actor Colin Mochrie and TV star and comedian Rick Mercer.

References

• Goel DP et al. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 2004, 14(4): 473-80.
• McElhaney JE et al. Journal of American Geriatrics Society, 2004, 52:13-19.
• McElhaney JE et al. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2006, 12(2): 153-157.
• McElhaney JE, and D Reid. Presented at the First International Scientific congress on Nutrition Athletic Performance, Edmonton, Alberta. August 2001.
• McElhaney JE, et al. Manuscript in preparation.
• Predy GN et al. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 2005, 173 (9): 1043.
• Predy GN et al. (in press).
• Ueng YF et al. Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2002, 13(2): 89-96.
• Wang M et al. International Immunopharmacology, 2004, 4: 311-315.
• Wang M et al. Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 2001, 53: 1515-1523.
• Yang JC et al. American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 29(1): 149-154.
• Nielsen MarketTrack, National Grocery Banner+Mass Merch+Drug+General Merch+Warehouse Club, 52 weeks May 12, 2007, Natural Supplements + Cold Remedies