1.) Allicin
- Many people take garlic supplements for high blood pressure, but few have heard of the amazing antiviral/antibacterial power of the main medicinal constituent of garlic: Allicin. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted in the UK in 2001, 146 people were given either a supplement containing pure Allicin or a placebo. “Over a 90-day period during the winter when most colds occur, just 24 colds were recorded among those taking the supplement, compared to 65 amongst those taking the placebo.” The study also found that, “those taking the supplement who did catch a cold were more likely to make a speedier recovery than those taking the placebo and the chances of re-infection following a cold were significantly reduced.”. The taking of the Allicin supplement reduced their chances of getting a cold by over 80%. The supplement used in the study (Allimax) was the first of its kind to be composed of pure allicin and is currently the only supplement of its kind available to consumers.
2.) Echinacea
- I know, you’ve heard about this one for years, but the final numbers are in, and guess what? Echinacea works. Recently, researchers from the University of Connecticut weeded through the hundreds of studies done on Echinacea over the past decades and narrowed them down to the 14 most well put together studies ever carried out on the subject. They combined the best data and found Echinacea “decreased the odds of developing a cold by 58% and the duration of colds by a day-and-a-half.” But most surprisingly, they also found when “Echinacea was taken alongside vitamin C, this combination reduced cold incidence by 86%.” Although Echinacea works, not all supplements are created equal. The dry/pill form often has a short shelf life. The most dramatic results were found with a purified liquid form of Echinacea called Echinaguard. Get it here.
3.) Ester-C
- Vitamin C is purported to keep away colds by many, but research has always been conflicting. A recent study on a new, more stable and less acidic formulation of vitamin C found, “In a 60 day study, 168 healthy participants who took 500 mg of Ester-C twice per day reported feeling healthier as compared to a placebo group. Additionally, the subjects who took Ester-C reported 77% fewer seasonal issues as compared to the previous winter.” Get it here.
4.) Andrographis
- Here is one I’m sure few of you have heard of! Traditionally used in Asia, it has had nearly as many clinical trials as echinacea. Although there have been conflicting studies over the years, the evidence is now overwhelming that Andrographis does indeed keep the common cold at bay. In one double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 107 students, even using a low dosage of Andrographis, cut the risk of colds by a little over 50% over placebo. Get it here.I know what you’re probably thinking: “If these supplements work so well at stopping colds/flu, then why aren’t they more commonly known about or used?” Like so many things, it all comes down to greed. The pharmaceutical industry isn’t interested in researching or promoting something they can’t copyright (an herb or derivative thereof). Many astounding breakthroughs are never even heard about outside of the scientific community. So, with a fair amount of research, I have found that none of us has any excuse to get the winter sniffles ever again.
