When given within 24 hours of onset of symptoms, zinc reduces the duration and severity of the common cold in healthy people, according to the results of a Cochrane systematic review reported online February 16 in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Zinc supplements
"This review strengthens the evidence for zinc as a treatment for the common cold," said lead author Dr. Meenu Singh, from the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, India, in a news release. "However, at the moment, it is still difficult to make a general recommendation, because we do not know very much about the optimum dose, formulation or length of treatment."
To evaluate the effect of zinc on common cold symptoms, the reviewers searched CENTRAL (2010, Issue 2), which contains the Acute Respiratory Infections Group's Specialised Register, MEDLINE (1966 to May week 3, 2010), and EMBASE (1974 to June 2010). Inclusion criteria were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in which zinc was used for 5 or more consecutive days to treat the common cold, or for 5 or months or longer for prevention. Data were independently extracted and trial quality examined by 2 reviewers.
The search identified 13 therapeutic trials enrolling a total of 966 participants, and 2 preventive trials enrolling a total of 394 participants, that met selection criteria. Zinc intake was associated with a significant decrease in duration of common cold symptoms (standardized mean difference [SMD], −0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.56 to −0.38; P = .001), as well as in severity (SMD, −0.39; 95% CI, −0.77 to −0.02; P = .04).
The proportion of participants symptomatic after 7 days of treatment was lower in the zinc group vs the control group (odds ratio [OR], 0.45; 95% CI, 0.2 - 1.00; P = .05). The zinc group also fared better than the control group in incidence rate ratio (IRR) for development of a cold (IRR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.47 - 0.88; P = .006), school absence (P = .0003), and prescription of antibiotics (P < .00001).
However, overall adverse events were higher in the zinc group (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 0.97 - 2.58; P = .06), as were bad taste (OR, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.91 - 3.64; P < .00001) and nausea (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.44 - 3.23; P = .002).
"Our review only looked at zinc supplementation in healthy people," Dr. Singh said. "But it would be interesting to find out whether zinc supplementation could help asthmatics, whose asthma symptoms tend to get worse when they catch a cold."
Limitations of this review also include those inherent in the individual studies, such as placebo-blinding adequately described in only 6 trials, and allocation concealment unclear in 5 studies.
"[U]nlike trials relying on experimentally-induced rhinoviral colds, findings from large community-based trials will address issues relating to the diversity of and generalisability to the common cold," the review authors conclude. "In addition, given its toxicological profile, the potential for zinc to induce adverse effects at the doses participants are required to take also needs to be determined."
Source: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/737654
Welcome to my collection of health articles. Most of them contain little nuggets of health wisdom that we can easily apply to our daily lives. As you can gather, I've been consuming all sorts of supplements over the years, most of them from iherb. They deliver on time (DHL), and prices are good. If you're a first-time buyer, use my code 'pot089' to enjoy up to $10 off.
Showing posts with label colds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label colds. Show all posts
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
Wednesday, 11 July 2012
Meditation and exercise decreases cold symptoms
Training in mindfulness meditation and sustained moderate-intensity exercise appear to be associated with reduced illness severity and fewer days of missed work because of acute respiratory infections (ARIs), compared with doing nothing, according to the findings of a randomized trial.
Bruce Barrett, MD, PhD, from the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and colleagues report their findings in the July/August issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
According to the researchers, enhancing general physical and mental health might reduce ARI burden.
"Evidence suggests that mindfulness meditation can reduce experienced stress and negative emotions," Dr. Barrett and colleagues write. "Similarly, both epidemiological and experimental studies have suggested that regular exercise may protect people from ARI illness."
The researchers sought to evaluate the ability of meditation or exercise to reduce the incidence, duration, and severity of ARIs in adults 50 years and older.
A total of 154 participants were randomized to 1 of 3 study groups approximately equal in size; 149 completed the trial. One group received 8 weeks of training in mindfulness meditation, another group received 8 weeks of training in moderate-intensity sustained exercise, and the third group served as an observational control group.
The standardized 8-week mindful meditation course involved group sessions (2.5 hours weekly) and at-home practice (45 minutes daily). The exercise intervention was similar to the meditation course in terms of time and location, but participants focused on achieving moderate-intensity sustained exercise, with a target rating of 12 to 16 points on a 6- to 20-point scale.
In the meditation group, there were 27 ARIs, resulting in 257 days of illness. In the exercise group, there were 26 ARIs, resulting in 241 days of illness; and in the control group, there were 40 ARIs, resulting in 453 days of illness.
ARI severity, measured on the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey (WURSS-24), was 144 in the meditation group, 248 in the exercise group, and 358 in the control group.
Global severity was significantly lower in the meditation group than in the control group (P = .004). Duration of illness in the meditation group trended toward statistical significance, compared with the control group (P = .034). Severity and duration of illness were lower in the exercise group than in the control group, although the differences were not statistically significant (P = .16 and P = .032, respectively). The researchers had designated a P value of .025 as the cutoff for the rejection of the null hypothesis.
A total of 67 days of work were missed because of ARIs in the control group, 32 in the exercise group (P = .041), and 16 in the meditation group (P < .001). Viruses were identified from nasal washes in 53.8% of samples from the meditation group, 42.1% from the exercise group, and 54.3% from the control group. Neutrophil counts were similar in the 3 groups, whereas slightly higher interleukin-8 levels were detected in the meditation group than in the control group (P = .022).
"This ground-breaking randomized trial of meditation and exercise vs wait-list control among adults aged 50 years and older found significant reductions in ARI illness," Dr. Barrett and colleagues conclude.
The researchers note that one of the limitations of this study is that "participants in such a trial cannot be blinded to behavioral training interventions, thus allowing for the possibility of self-report bias."
However, they add that if "these results are confirmed in future studies, there will be important implications for public and private health-related policy and practice, as well as for scientific research regarding mechanisms of health maintenance and disease prevention."
Source: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/766869?sssdmh=dm1.801395&src=nldne
Bruce Barrett, MD, PhD, from the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and colleagues report their findings in the July/August issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
According to the researchers, enhancing general physical and mental health might reduce ARI burden.
"Evidence suggests that mindfulness meditation can reduce experienced stress and negative emotions," Dr. Barrett and colleagues write. "Similarly, both epidemiological and experimental studies have suggested that regular exercise may protect people from ARI illness."
The researchers sought to evaluate the ability of meditation or exercise to reduce the incidence, duration, and severity of ARIs in adults 50 years and older.
A total of 154 participants were randomized to 1 of 3 study groups approximately equal in size; 149 completed the trial. One group received 8 weeks of training in mindfulness meditation, another group received 8 weeks of training in moderate-intensity sustained exercise, and the third group served as an observational control group.
The standardized 8-week mindful meditation course involved group sessions (2.5 hours weekly) and at-home practice (45 minutes daily). The exercise intervention was similar to the meditation course in terms of time and location, but participants focused on achieving moderate-intensity sustained exercise, with a target rating of 12 to 16 points on a 6- to 20-point scale.
In the meditation group, there were 27 ARIs, resulting in 257 days of illness. In the exercise group, there were 26 ARIs, resulting in 241 days of illness; and in the control group, there were 40 ARIs, resulting in 453 days of illness.
ARI severity, measured on the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey (WURSS-24), was 144 in the meditation group, 248 in the exercise group, and 358 in the control group.
Global severity was significantly lower in the meditation group than in the control group (P = .004). Duration of illness in the meditation group trended toward statistical significance, compared with the control group (P = .034). Severity and duration of illness were lower in the exercise group than in the control group, although the differences were not statistically significant (P = .16 and P = .032, respectively). The researchers had designated a P value of .025 as the cutoff for the rejection of the null hypothesis.
A total of 67 days of work were missed because of ARIs in the control group, 32 in the exercise group (P = .041), and 16 in the meditation group (P < .001). Viruses were identified from nasal washes in 53.8% of samples from the meditation group, 42.1% from the exercise group, and 54.3% from the control group. Neutrophil counts were similar in the 3 groups, whereas slightly higher interleukin-8 levels were detected in the meditation group than in the control group (P = .022).
"This ground-breaking randomized trial of meditation and exercise vs wait-list control among adults aged 50 years and older found significant reductions in ARI illness," Dr. Barrett and colleagues conclude.
The researchers note that one of the limitations of this study is that "participants in such a trial cannot be blinded to behavioral training interventions, thus allowing for the possibility of self-report bias."
However, they add that if "these results are confirmed in future studies, there will be important implications for public and private health-related policy and practice, as well as for scientific research regarding mechanisms of health maintenance and disease prevention."
Source: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/766869?sssdmh=dm1.801395&src=nldne
Thursday, 24 May 2012
Zinc May Shorten Cold Symptoms in Adults, but Not Children
Oral zinc formulations may lessen the duration of cold symptoms in adults, but not in children, according to the findings of a meta-analysis.
Michelle Science, MD, from the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and colleagues published their findings online May 7 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Of the 17 included trials, 8 trials involving patients with naturally acquired colds revealed that zinc reduced the duration of cold symptoms compared with placebo (mean difference, −1.65 days; 95% confidence interval [CI], −2.50 to −0.81 days), albeit with significant heterogeneity (I 2, 95%). Subgroup analysis revealed a statistically significant interaction between adults and children (P < .0001), as zinc reduced the duration of cold symptoms in adults (mean difference, −2.63; 95% CI, −3.69 to −1.58), but not in children (mean difference, −0.26; 95% CI, −0.78 to 0.25), with slightly lower heterogeneity (adults, I 2, 82%; children, I 2, 84%).
The authors noted that a previous meta-analysis reported the efficacy of zinc against common cold symptoms, but that significant heterogeneity was reported for the primary outcome. "The efficacy of zinc therefore remains uncertain, because it is unknown whether the variability among studies was due to methodologic diversity (i.e., risk of bias and therefore uncertainty in zinc's efficacy) or differences in study populations or interventions (i.e., zinc dose and formulation)," the authors write.
After a search of the MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, CINAHL, and AMED databases, the authors included randomized controlled trials that evaluated the efficacy of oral zinc as a single agent against placebo or no treatment with no restrictions placed on participant age, language, or year of publication. The authors excluded trials that evaluated intranasally administered zinc or orally administered zinc in combination with other modalities.
Additional subgroup analysis revealed a significant interaction for zinc formulation (P = .003), as zinc acetate (mean difference, −2.67; 95% CI, −3.96 to −1.38), but not zinc gluconate (mean difference, −1.72; 95% CI, −3.89 to 0.44) or zinc sulfate (mean difference, −0.31; 95% CI, −0.89 to 0.28), reduced the duration of symptoms compared with placebo. Regarding adverse events, only bad taste (8 trials; risk ratio [RR], 1.65; 95% CI, 1.27 - 2.16) and nausea (9 trials; RR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.19 - 2.27) were more frequently observed in patients treated with zinc.
The limitations of the study included the large level of unexplained heterogeneity, the potentially ineffective blinding related to the taste of the placebo, the funding of all included studies by industry, and the performance of most studies in developed countries.
The authors indicated that uncertainty remains regarding the efficacy of zinc against common cold symptoms. "Although oral zinc treatment may attenuate the symptoms of the common cold, large high-quality trials enrolling adults and children are needed," the authors write. "Until further evidence becomes available, there is only a weak rationale for physicians to recommend zinc for the treatment of the common cold."
Source: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/763394?sssdmh=dm1.782072&src=nldne
Michelle Science, MD, from the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and colleagues published their findings online May 7 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Of the 17 included trials, 8 trials involving patients with naturally acquired colds revealed that zinc reduced the duration of cold symptoms compared with placebo (mean difference, −1.65 days; 95% confidence interval [CI], −2.50 to −0.81 days), albeit with significant heterogeneity (I 2, 95%). Subgroup analysis revealed a statistically significant interaction between adults and children (P < .0001), as zinc reduced the duration of cold symptoms in adults (mean difference, −2.63; 95% CI, −3.69 to −1.58), but not in children (mean difference, −0.26; 95% CI, −0.78 to 0.25), with slightly lower heterogeneity (adults, I 2, 82%; children, I 2, 84%).
The authors noted that a previous meta-analysis reported the efficacy of zinc against common cold symptoms, but that significant heterogeneity was reported for the primary outcome. "The efficacy of zinc therefore remains uncertain, because it is unknown whether the variability among studies was due to methodologic diversity (i.e., risk of bias and therefore uncertainty in zinc's efficacy) or differences in study populations or interventions (i.e., zinc dose and formulation)," the authors write.
After a search of the MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, CINAHL, and AMED databases, the authors included randomized controlled trials that evaluated the efficacy of oral zinc as a single agent against placebo or no treatment with no restrictions placed on participant age, language, or year of publication. The authors excluded trials that evaluated intranasally administered zinc or orally administered zinc in combination with other modalities.
Additional subgroup analysis revealed a significant interaction for zinc formulation (P = .003), as zinc acetate (mean difference, −2.67; 95% CI, −3.96 to −1.38), but not zinc gluconate (mean difference, −1.72; 95% CI, −3.89 to 0.44) or zinc sulfate (mean difference, −0.31; 95% CI, −0.89 to 0.28), reduced the duration of symptoms compared with placebo. Regarding adverse events, only bad taste (8 trials; risk ratio [RR], 1.65; 95% CI, 1.27 - 2.16) and nausea (9 trials; RR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.19 - 2.27) were more frequently observed in patients treated with zinc.
The limitations of the study included the large level of unexplained heterogeneity, the potentially ineffective blinding related to the taste of the placebo, the funding of all included studies by industry, and the performance of most studies in developed countries.
The authors indicated that uncertainty remains regarding the efficacy of zinc against common cold symptoms. "Although oral zinc treatment may attenuate the symptoms of the common cold, large high-quality trials enrolling adults and children are needed," the authors write. "Until further evidence becomes available, there is only a weak rationale for physicians to recommend zinc for the treatment of the common cold."
Source: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/763394?sssdmh=dm1.782072&src=nldne
Thursday, 2 February 2012
Aged garlic shortens cold and flu duration
Supplements of aged garlic extract have been shown to significantly reduce the severity and also the duration of the common cold and flu.
The study published online in the journal Clinical Nutrition sought to establish what effect if any the aged garlic had on certain measurable factors of immune system function. These included its effect on NK cells and gamma-delta T cells, a group of immune cells found in large quantities in the gut.
To do this researchers from the University of Florida recruited 120 healthy people with an average age of 26 and randomly assigned them to take a daily supplement of the aged garlic extract (2.56 grams) or placebo for 90 days.
Results showed that the number of both types of immune cells increased more in the garlic group, compared with the placebo group.
As for the study participants, 90 days of consuming the garlic supplement produced a 21% reduction in the number of symptoms, and a 61% reduction in the number of days a person suffered from cold or flu. The study also showed that the number of work days missed due to illness dropped by 58% in the garlic group.
Say the researchers: “These results suggest that supplementation of the diet with aged garlic extract may enhance immune cell function and that this may be responsible, in part, for reduced severity of colds and flu.”
So what is aged garlic?
Aged garlic extract, or AGE, differs from dietary garlic and most types of garlic supplements in that it is naturally aged for 20 months.
This ageing process changes the garlic in some important ways. Apart from making it milder and less garlicky smelling, it also concentrates certain beneficial chemicals in the bulb. For example AGE contains higher levels of certain antioxidant phenols than cooked or raw garlic.
But the ageing process also allows certain sulphur-containing substances that are not present in raw garlic to develop. These substances – gamma-glutamyl cysteine, S-allyl cysteine, S-allyl mercaptocysteine and S-methyl cysteine – are thought to be responsible for the unique health benefits ascribed to AGE.
In fact, in the study above the researchers speculate that the various sulfur-containing compounds in the extract, including how these lead to increases in levels of glutathione in cells and this, in turn, had a beneficial effect on immune cells.
AGE is beneficial for heart health. Human trials have shown that it can slow the progression of atherosclerosis (clogged arteries) and improve circulation.
There is also a great deal of experimental evidence to show that AGE protects against oxidant-induced diseases including acute damage from ageing, radiation and chemical exposure and long-term toxic damage.
Related posts:
Gold kiwifruit reduces cold symptoms
Aged garlic shortens cold and flu duration
Green tea supplements beat flu better than vaccinations
Tamiflu-resistant flu virus spreading in Australia
Top 5 anti-flu herbs
Source: http://www.nyrnaturalnews.com/health/2012/01/aged-garlic-supplement-shortens-cold-flu-duration/
The study published online in the journal Clinical Nutrition sought to establish what effect if any the aged garlic had on certain measurable factors of immune system function. These included its effect on NK cells and gamma-delta T cells, a group of immune cells found in large quantities in the gut.
To do this researchers from the University of Florida recruited 120 healthy people with an average age of 26 and randomly assigned them to take a daily supplement of the aged garlic extract (2.56 grams) or placebo for 90 days.
Results showed that the number of both types of immune cells increased more in the garlic group, compared with the placebo group.
As for the study participants, 90 days of consuming the garlic supplement produced a 21% reduction in the number of symptoms, and a 61% reduction in the number of days a person suffered from cold or flu. The study also showed that the number of work days missed due to illness dropped by 58% in the garlic group.
Say the researchers: “These results suggest that supplementation of the diet with aged garlic extract may enhance immune cell function and that this may be responsible, in part, for reduced severity of colds and flu.”
So what is aged garlic?
Aged garlic extract, or AGE, differs from dietary garlic and most types of garlic supplements in that it is naturally aged for 20 months.
This ageing process changes the garlic in some important ways. Apart from making it milder and less garlicky smelling, it also concentrates certain beneficial chemicals in the bulb. For example AGE contains higher levels of certain antioxidant phenols than cooked or raw garlic.
But the ageing process also allows certain sulphur-containing substances that are not present in raw garlic to develop. These substances – gamma-glutamyl cysteine, S-allyl cysteine, S-allyl mercaptocysteine and S-methyl cysteine – are thought to be responsible for the unique health benefits ascribed to AGE.
In fact, in the study above the researchers speculate that the various sulfur-containing compounds in the extract, including how these lead to increases in levels of glutathione in cells and this, in turn, had a beneficial effect on immune cells.
AGE is beneficial for heart health. Human trials have shown that it can slow the progression of atherosclerosis (clogged arteries) and improve circulation.
There is also a great deal of experimental evidence to show that AGE protects against oxidant-induced diseases including acute damage from ageing, radiation and chemical exposure and long-term toxic damage.
Related posts:
Gold kiwifruit reduces cold symptoms
Aged garlic shortens cold and flu duration
Green tea supplements beat flu better than vaccinations
Tamiflu-resistant flu virus spreading in Australia
Top 5 anti-flu herbs
Source: http://www.nyrnaturalnews.com/health/2012/01/aged-garlic-supplement-shortens-cold-flu-duration/
Thursday, 5 January 2012
Gold kiwifruit reduces cold symptoms
Adding gold kiwifruit to your diet may lead to less suffering from symptoms of common illnesses such as colds, research suggests.
A study led by Plant & Food Research has shown that eating gold kiwifruit is beneficial in reducing some cold symptoms in healthy, older people (65 years+). The research, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, shows that eating gold kiwifruit daily significantly reduced the duration and severity of some cold symptoms, including sore throats and head congestion.
“This study shows that the micronutrients provided by regular eating of gold kiwifruit appear to be important in reducing symptoms of colds and other upper respiratory infections,” says Dr Denise Hunter, one of the researchers involved with the study. “While we do not know what compounds produce these results, these findings suggest that eating gold kiwifruit on a regular basis throughout the winter period may reduce the severity of some cold symptoms.”
“This study shows that eating certain fruits can have measurable effects on the health and wellness of an individual,” says Dr Kieran Elborough, General Manager Science, Food Innovation. “This research demonstrates that gold kiwifruit are a functional whole food, providing a level of protection against the symptoms of cold and flu. This supports our ongoing research into functional foods from fruits and vegetables that enhance the wellness of individuals, either as whole foods or as functional ingredients.”
The 20 week study was conducted over the winter and spring period, and tracked the health of 37 healthy older people. The participants were asked to eat four ZESPRI® GOLD Kiwifruit daily for four weeks then switch to banana (or vice versa) with a four week kiwifruit/banana free period prior to each treatment period. Blood samples were tested for levels of plasma antioxidants and changes to immune function at the beginning, end and every four weeks throughout the study.
The results showed a reduction in self-reported cold symptoms with gold kiwifruit compared to banana, with sore throat symptoms reducing from 5.4 to 2.0 days and head congestion from 4.7 to 0.9 days. Head congestion symptoms were also reported to be less severe during the gold kiwifruit period. Consumption of gold kiwifruit also led to higher concentrations of plasma vitamin C and antioxidants, as well as maintaining normal levels of plasma immune and inflammatory factors.
The research was funded by ZESPRI® International Limited, and was conducted in association with the Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health at Massey University. ‘Hort16A’, marketed as ZESPRI® Gold Kiwifruit, was developed by Plant & Food Research, and the Institute receives a royalty based on sales.
A presentation of the research, recorded at the Functional Food Symposium 2011, can be found at www.youtube.com/plantandfood.
Denise C. Hunter, Margot A. Skinner, Frances M. Wolber, Chris L. Booth, Jacelyn M. S. Loh, Mark Wohlers, Lesley M. Stevenson and Marlena C. Kruger Consumption of gold kiwifruit reduces severity and duration of selected upper respiratory tract infection symptoms and increases plasma vitamin C concentration in healthy older adults. British Journal of Nutrition, Available on CJO 2011 doi:10.1017/S0007114511006659
Related posts:
Gold kiwifruit reduces cold symptoms
Aged garlic shortens cold and flu duration
Green tea supplements beat flu better than vaccinations
Tamiflu-resistant flu virus spreading in Australia
Top 5 anti-flu herbs
Source: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1112/S00075/gold-kiwifruit-each-day-reduce-cold-symptoms.htm
A study led by Plant & Food Research has shown that eating gold kiwifruit is beneficial in reducing some cold symptoms in healthy, older people (65 years+). The research, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, shows that eating gold kiwifruit daily significantly reduced the duration and severity of some cold symptoms, including sore throats and head congestion.
“This study shows that the micronutrients provided by regular eating of gold kiwifruit appear to be important in reducing symptoms of colds and other upper respiratory infections,” says Dr Denise Hunter, one of the researchers involved with the study. “While we do not know what compounds produce these results, these findings suggest that eating gold kiwifruit on a regular basis throughout the winter period may reduce the severity of some cold symptoms.”
“This study shows that eating certain fruits can have measurable effects on the health and wellness of an individual,” says Dr Kieran Elborough, General Manager Science, Food Innovation. “This research demonstrates that gold kiwifruit are a functional whole food, providing a level of protection against the symptoms of cold and flu. This supports our ongoing research into functional foods from fruits and vegetables that enhance the wellness of individuals, either as whole foods or as functional ingredients.”
The 20 week study was conducted over the winter and spring period, and tracked the health of 37 healthy older people. The participants were asked to eat four ZESPRI® GOLD Kiwifruit daily for four weeks then switch to banana (or vice versa) with a four week kiwifruit/banana free period prior to each treatment period. Blood samples were tested for levels of plasma antioxidants and changes to immune function at the beginning, end and every four weeks throughout the study.
The results showed a reduction in self-reported cold symptoms with gold kiwifruit compared to banana, with sore throat symptoms reducing from 5.4 to 2.0 days and head congestion from 4.7 to 0.9 days. Head congestion symptoms were also reported to be less severe during the gold kiwifruit period. Consumption of gold kiwifruit also led to higher concentrations of plasma vitamin C and antioxidants, as well as maintaining normal levels of plasma immune and inflammatory factors.
The research was funded by ZESPRI® International Limited, and was conducted in association with the Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health at Massey University. ‘Hort16A’, marketed as ZESPRI® Gold Kiwifruit, was developed by Plant & Food Research, and the Institute receives a royalty based on sales.
A presentation of the research, recorded at the Functional Food Symposium 2011, can be found at www.youtube.com/plantandfood.
Denise C. Hunter, Margot A. Skinner, Frances M. Wolber, Chris L. Booth, Jacelyn M. S. Loh, Mark Wohlers, Lesley M. Stevenson and Marlena C. Kruger Consumption of gold kiwifruit reduces severity and duration of selected upper respiratory tract infection symptoms and increases plasma vitamin C concentration in healthy older adults. British Journal of Nutrition, Available on CJO 2011 doi:10.1017/S0007114511006659
Related posts:
Gold kiwifruit reduces cold symptoms
Aged garlic shortens cold and flu duration
Green tea supplements beat flu better than vaccinations
Tamiflu-resistant flu virus spreading in Australia
Top 5 anti-flu herbs
Source: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1112/S00075/gold-kiwifruit-each-day-reduce-cold-symptoms.htm
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