Cold-fX
Encyclopedia
Cold-fX is a product derived from the roots of North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) that is manufactured by Afexa Life Sciences Inc. (formerly called CV Technologies Inc.), headquartered in Edmonton
, Alberta, Canada. It is marketed as a daily supplement to improve the body's immune system
and aid in preventing common cold
and flu
, as well as a treatment to reduce the duration and severity of the diseases, even though the official US web site states, "...this product is not intended to treat, cure or prevent upper respiratory infections due to cold or influenza-like viruses."
Immune response to COLD-fX was investigated further in a subset of this population. Blood levels of T lymphocytes, T Helper cells and natural killer cells increased in the COLD-fX group which may be related to an observed reduction in the severity of colds experienced in the COLD-fX group (Predy, G.N., Goel, V., Loving, R.E. & Basu, T.K. (2006) Immune modulating effects of daily supplementation of COLD-fX (a proprietary extract of North American Ginseng) in healthy adults J. Clin Biochem Nutr 39:162-167).
In another study (double-blind, placebo-controlled) in community-dwelling adults the COLD-fX group experienced fewer colds and they were of shorter duration than the placebo group in the last two months of the trial (McElhaney, J.E., Goel, V., Toane, B., Hooten, J. & Shan, J.J. (2006) Efficacy of COLD-fX in the prevention of respiratory symptoms in community-dwelling adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial. J Alt Comp Med 12:153-157).
COLD-fX did not result in any positive IOC doping tests in athletes after 28 days of administration, meaning that it is not a source of inadvertent exposure to banned or restricted substances (Goel, D.P., Geiger, J.D., Shan, J.J., Kriellaars, D & Pierce, G.N. (2004) Doping-control urinalysis of a ginseng extract, COLD-fX, in athletes Int J Sport Nutrit Exercise Metab).
The University of California’s UC Berkeley Wellness Letter called the clinical trials for Cold fX “well designed” and mentioned “promising results”.
approves the marketing of COLD-fX as helping "to reduce the frequency, severity and duration of cold and flu symptoms by boosting the immune system."
The Center for Science in the Public Interest
, in a legal review of 10 popular natural cold remedies, 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, an advocate for natural medicine, concluded that Cold-fX demonstrated “impressive” benefits to users.
Other criticisms point out that these studies have been small scale, with conspicuously shallow participant pools and lopsided gender distributions. Skeptics have pointed out that there aren't enough studies on the effects of any form of Ginseng on the common cold to form any conclusions.
Skeptics have argued that Cold-fX has not been tested for its ability to treat a cold after an individual has been infected. In addition, no studies have yet been performed to assess the possible long term side effects of taking the pills every day during the cold and flu season.
Afexa Life Sciences Inc. (formerly called CV Technologies Inc.), the makers of Cold-fX, were criticized for making health claims about the product that have never been tested or verified scientifically. Up until February 2007, the company advised a regimen of 18 pills over a course of 3 days in order to obtain "immediate relief" from a cold. Health Canada's review of the scientific literature confirmed that this is not a claim that CV Technologies Inc. is entitled to make.
The company formulated a separate product for this usage. A CV Technologies press release explained the change in the dosing regimen as a choice to take a two-tier approach application to Health Canada.
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, Alberta, Canada. It is marketed as a daily supplement to improve the body's immune system
Immune system
An immune system is a system of biological structures and processes within an organism that protects against disease by identifying and killing pathogens and tumor cells. It detects a wide variety of agents, from viruses to parasitic worms, and needs to distinguish them from the organism's own...
and aid in preventing common cold
Common cold
The common cold is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory system, caused primarily by rhinoviruses and coronaviruses. Common symptoms include a cough, sore throat, runny nose, and fever...
and flu
Influenza
Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae , that affects birds and mammals...
, as well as a treatment to reduce the duration and severity of the diseases, even though the official US web site states, "...this product is not intended to treat, cure or prevent upper respiratory infections due to cold or influenza-like viruses."
Clinical evidence
A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal concluded that "ingestion of a poly-furanosyl-pyranosyl-saccharide–rich extract of the roots of North American ginseng in a moderate dose over 4 months reduced the mean number of colds per person, the proportion of subjects who experienced 2 or more colds, the severity of symptoms and the number of days cold symptoms were reported."Immune response to COLD-fX was investigated further in a subset of this population. Blood levels of T lymphocytes, T Helper cells and natural killer cells increased in the COLD-fX group which may be related to an observed reduction in the severity of colds experienced in the COLD-fX group (Predy, G.N., Goel, V., Loving, R.E. & Basu, T.K. (2006) Immune modulating effects of daily supplementation of COLD-fX (a proprietary extract of North American Ginseng) in healthy adults J. Clin Biochem Nutr 39:162-167).
In another study (double-blind, placebo-controlled) in community-dwelling adults the COLD-fX group experienced fewer colds and they were of shorter duration than the placebo group in the last two months of the trial (McElhaney, J.E., Goel, V., Toane, B., Hooten, J. & Shan, J.J. (2006) Efficacy of COLD-fX in the prevention of respiratory symptoms in community-dwelling adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial. J Alt Comp Med 12:153-157).
COLD-fX did not result in any positive IOC doping tests in athletes after 28 days of administration, meaning that it is not a source of inadvertent exposure to banned or restricted substances (Goel, D.P., Geiger, J.D., Shan, J.J., Kriellaars, D & Pierce, G.N. (2004) Doping-control urinalysis of a ginseng extract, COLD-fX, in athletes Int J Sport Nutrit Exercise Metab).
The University of California’s UC Berkeley Wellness Letter called the clinical trials for Cold fX “well designed” and mentioned “promising results”.
Reviews
The research behind COLD-fX has received several external reviews within the health/medical community.Approvals and endorsements
Health CanadaHealth Canada
Health Canada is the department of the government of Canada with responsibility for national public health.The current Minister of Health is Leona Aglukkaq, a Conservative Member of Parliament appointed to the position by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.-Branches, regions and agencies:Health Canada...
approves the marketing of COLD-fX as helping "to reduce the frequency, severity and duration of cold and flu symptoms by boosting the immune system."
The Center for Science in the Public Interest
Center for Science in the Public Interest
Center for Science in the Public Interest is a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit watchdog and consumer advocacy group focusing on nutritional education and awareness.-History and funding:...
, in a legal review of 10 popular natural cold remedies, 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, an advocate for natural medicine, concluded that Cold-fX demonstrated “impressive” benefits to users.
Criticisms
There have been some doubts in the medical and scientific research community that Cold-fX is as effective as claimed. Skeptics allege that the science does not fully support the claims being made. Other scientific research has, however, produced significant results (Predy 2005, McElhaney 2006). It should be noted, however, that the majority of the studies posing 'significant' results favoring the efficacy of ColdFX have been funded by the manufacturer.Other criticisms point out that these studies have been small scale, with conspicuously shallow participant pools and lopsided gender distributions. Skeptics have pointed out that there aren't enough studies on the effects of any form of Ginseng on the common cold to form any conclusions.
Skeptics have argued that Cold-fX has not been tested for its ability to treat a cold after an individual has been infected. In addition, no studies have yet been performed to assess the possible long term side effects of taking the pills every day during the cold and flu season.
Afexa Life Sciences Inc. (formerly called CV Technologies Inc.), the makers of Cold-fX, were criticized for making health claims about the product that have never been tested or verified scientifically. Up until February 2007, the company advised a regimen of 18 pills over a course of 3 days in order to obtain "immediate relief" from a cold. Health Canada's review of the scientific literature confirmed that this is not a claim that CV Technologies Inc. is entitled to make.
The company formulated a separate product for this usage. A CV Technologies press release explained the change in the dosing regimen as a choice to take a two-tier approach application to Health Canada.