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Complete Analysis of Cold-FX Claims
Marketplace commissioned a study from the University of Toronto Faculty of Pharmacy. They conducted a meta-analysis of the following four clinical trials on the efficacy of COLD-FX (CVT-E002, a Proprietary Extract of Panax Quinquefolius, North American Ginseng):

1. Journal of American Geriatrics Society (2004)
2. Canadian Medical Association Journal (2005)
3. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2006)
4. Influenza Research and Treatment, Hindawi Publishing Corporation (2011)

In the analysis, it was found that:

Relative to placebo, the risk of getting a cold was reduced by about 15% when COLD-FX® was used. The absolute risk reduction was about 6% (this means that if the overall chance of getting a cold is, for example, 50%, then taking COLD-FX® reduces it to 44%). Altogether, 17 people need to be treated to prevent 1 person from getting a cold.

For those who contracted a cold, there was insufficient evidence that the duration or severity was reduced.

Read the full meta-analysis (PDF 129KB)
Broadcast Date: January 13, 2012
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