Beveridge, S.

Maggini, S.

Suter, M.

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6th International Workshop on Immunonutrition, 15th–17th October 2012, Palma de MallorcaHigh-Dosed Vitamin C Plus Zinc (Redoxon1 Double Action) for theCommon ColdS. Maggini1, S. Beveridge1 and M. Suter21Bayer Consumer Care Ltd, Basel, Switzerland and 2Basel, SwitzerlandDespite great advances in medicine, old, new or re-emerging infectious diseases are still a major health issue in the 21st century. Whilemultiple factors determine whether an individual will become sick or not, the immune system remains the first line of defense against allexternal pathogens. Among the micronutrients required forproper immune function, vitamin C and zinc hold central positions(1). Datafrom a number of clinical studies shows that separate administration of either vitamin C (given prophylactically)(2) or zinc (in form oflozenges)(3) reduces the duration and severity of common cold symptoms in otherwise healthy individuals. However, no studies havelooked at the effects of combined vitamin C and zinc given at onset of the common cold.Redoxon1 Double Action is a dietary supplement consisting of 1000 mg vitamin C plus 10 mg zinc indicated for the prevention andtreatment of vitamin C and zinc deficiencies during situations and conditions with increased requirements or increased risk of deficiencies.We have investigated the effects of this combination product (administered as effervescent tablet) in two pilot double-blind, randomized,placebo-controlled clinical studies in subjects with the common cold. For both studies, participants were enrolled by general practitionersand treatment lasted for at least five days. Male or female subjects, over 18 years of age, suffering from the common cold withoutsuperinfection and with bilateral and clear rhinorrhea (i.e. runny nose) for less than 3 days as well as rectal temperature <38C wereenrolled. Participants (30 in study 1 and 64 in study 2) were required to fill in daily a self evaluation booklet between Day 0 and Day 5.Efficacy was assessed by the progression of the usual common cold symptoms (rhinorrhea, cough, laryngeal irritation, myalgia, headacheand rectal temperature). All these symptoms were evaluated at Day 0 and Day 6 by the investigator. In both pilot studies the combinationof vitamin C and zinc resulted in a non-significant reduction of rhinorrhea duration in the range of 9–27%. Since the protocols of the twostudies were similar, the individual datawere pooled and an overall analysis performed. In the pooled analysis, involving 94 subjects,vitamin C plus zinc was significantly more efficient than placebo on the relief of rhinorrhea over the 5 days of treatment (p = 0.03).Furthermore, relief was quicker (p = 0.001 at Day 4). Discomforts due to nasal obstruction, to sneezing and to eye watering were alsoimproved and overall a very good tolerance of the product was reported. Nasal symptoms are the most common ones occurring in 45% to75% of common cold sufferers indicating that vitamin C and zinc can make a tangible contribution in ameliorating quality of life andspeeding up recovery. In view of the common cold frequency, the related economic social and economic costs, and the limited treatmentoptions, supplementation with vitamin C and zinc may represent an efficacious and safe measure against this infectious viral disease.1. Wintergerst ES, Maggini S & Hornig DH (2006) Ann Nutr Met 50, 85–94.2. Douglas RM, Hemila H, Chalker E & Treacy B (2007) Cochrane Database Syst Rev 18(3), CD000980.3. Singh M & Das RR (2011) Cochrane Database Syst Rev 16(2), CD001364.Proceedings of the Nutrition Society (2013), 72 (OCE1), E1 doi:10.1017/S0029665113000037https:/www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0029665113000037Downloaded from https:/www.cambridge.org/core. University of Basel Library, on 11 Jul 2017 at 09:34:53, subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use, available at

High-Dosed Vitamin C Plus Zinc (Redoxon® Double Action) for the Common Cold

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High-Dosed Vitamin C Plus Zinc (Redoxon® Double Action) for the Common Cold

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