Colds and flu
Here is an interesting article from Dr. Mercola all about avoiding and trating colds and flu
Also go back to my emails and reread my two emails about prevention of colds and flus and colloidal silver:
http://www.integrative-energetics.com/colloidalsilver.html
http://www.integrative-energetics.com/elderberryFlu.html
I just discovered a new article/interview by Kirk Hamilton about Juice Plus+. I have been taking it for over fifteen years…(and I never get a cold)
Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial,”Br J Nutr , 2010 Aug 23;1-5; [Epub ahead of print]. 48189 (11/2010) “Reduction Of Common Cold Symptoms By Encapsulated Juice Powder Concentrate Of Fruits And Vegetables
Kirk Hamilton: Can you please share with us your educational background and currentposition?
Stephanie Roll: I am a statistician working at the Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology andHealth Economics at the Charité University Medical Center in Berlin, Germany. I received my Ph.D. atCharité University doing research about Health Services, Epidemiology and Health Related Quality of Life in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease.
KH: What got you interested in studying the role of an encapsulated juice powder concentrates(Juice Plus®) on the common cold?
SR: There was evidence from previous studies indicating the effects of Juice Plus® on the common cold, but these were explorative results. Thus, we wanted to conduct a study on the symptoms of the common cold as our primary research question.
KH: Where did you come up with a daily dose of four capsules per day? How was it taken? Withmeals or away from meals? In a single dose or divided dose? Why did you choose this particular juice powder concentrate?
SR: A daily dose of four capsules is the recommended dosage for this retail product. In our study,participants were required to take two capsules in the morning with breakfast, and two capsules in the evening with dinner. This intervention was chosen to further investigate published findings from groups in Graz, Austria and Florida, USA.
KH: Were blood levels of any components of the juice powder concentrate or other biochemical markers taken before, during or after the intervention? If so did they correlate with symptoms of the common cold?
SR: In out trial we considered patient relevant outcomes (like symptoms or days with common cold), and did not take blood samples.
KH: Can you tell us about your study and the basic results?
SR: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that included healthcare professionals (mainly nursing staff) from a large university hospital in Berlin. Over the winter period, 529 healthy participants took four capsules of Juice Plus® or matching placebo daily for 8 months. Regarding the number of days with moderate or severe common cold symptoms over 6 months, after a two month run-in, which was our primary outcome, we found a mean of 7.6 days in the Juice Plus® group and 9.5 in the placebo group, indicating a 20% reduction in duration of symptom days with Juice Plus® use.
KH: Were there any side effects with the juice powder concentrate therapy? How was the patient compliance?
SR: We did not find side effects or adverse events. The compliance in the study was high in bothgroups (96.0% in the Juice Plus® group and 96.5% in the placebo group). No side effects were reported.
KH: Who is a candidate for this therapy? Everyone since everyone gets a common cold? Who?
SR: In this study, we did not use Juice Plus® for therapy. We included healthy participants to assess any preventive effects of the product. Anyone who can eat fruits and vegetables might want to consider adding Juice Plus® to their diet. We did not expect an immediate effect, which is why we had all subjects on a two month run in with their study capsules before the six month period of interest.
KH: Could you get this same kind of effect by just eating a lot of fruits and vegetables?
SR: That is an interesting question. We have not done research on this topic, so we cannot say. JuicePlus® is not intended to replace eating fruits and vegetables, but seems a reasonable addition to the diet reported by the subjects in this project.
KH: How can the public or health professionals use this information? Do you have any further comments on this very interesting subject?
SR: Since our study was the first randomized, double-blind trial regarding common cold symptoms in healthcare professionals, further long-term studies should aim to assess similar effects in different populations.
If you’d like to try Juice Plus+ and learn more about it, please go to www.juiceplus.com/+ns08490
Health Info: November 29, 2010