In his monthly column, Dr. Kent Herbert answers your questions related to health care matters. Simply submit your question to deb@newfalconherald.com. It’s your chance to ask the doc.Question: I heard that the maker of a common cold supplement was sued recently for false advertising. Is this true and how should I choose a good product?Answer: The cold remedy Airborne was recently sued for false advertising, and the case has some important lessons regarding supplements. Airborne is a combination of vitamins and herbal ingredients that was promoted as a way to treat and prevent the common cold. It claimed that if taken at the first signs of a cold or when first exposed to someone with a cold, it could prevent one from becoming sick. It claimed to be “clinically proven” to do this, meaning there was scientific evidence that it worked.The problem, however, is that there is no valid clinical evidence of its effectiveness. Like many supplements, it was packaged and promoted as a legitimate product, but without any evidence supporting that it would do what it said it would. When it was discovered that they had not done any valid research to determine its effectiveness, a lawsuit was filed for false advertising. The makers of Airborne agreed to pay $23.3 million in a class action settlement back to those who had bought their product. Many people still claim that it is effective, but studies also show that sugar pills (placebo) are also effective.Additionally, there are some concerns that Airborne may actually be harmful. Certain vitamins can be harmful if taken in excess, such as vitamin A. Two Airborne tablets contain 10,000 IU of vitamin A, which reaches the maximum safe daily level. Therefore, if taken daily, along with a multivitamin and a balanced diet, it is easy to exceed the safe level and become ill. Symptoms of vitamin A excess include drowsiness, hair loss, vomiting and irritability. Therefore, when one evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of taking such a product, it is difficult to justify its use.It is important to think carefully about anything that one puts in their body, whether it is a prescription medicine or an herbal supplement. There is a perception that herbal or vitamin-based products are safer than prescription medications, but it is important to remember that both can have side effects and interactions with other products, and the decision to take anything is based on an evaluation of the risks and benefits.A few simple rules can avoid significant problems when considering whether to take a product. First, look at the research yourself. If a product states that it is clinically proven, find and read the study that is cited and convince yourself that this is true, or ask your doctor (it is their job to read the studies pertaining to the medicines they prescribe). For example, Zicam is a zinc-based cold remedy that claims to be clinically proven to help get over colds three times faster. Unlike Airborne, there are good clinical studies that prove this is true, and Zicam is typically considered a good, safe product. However, these studies only apply to the nasal swabs and not to the pills, lozenges or mists. If one looks carefully at the advertising, the nasal swabs carry the claim that they are clinically proven; whereas, the other products don’t make any claims at all. Therefore, not all Zicam products are effective, and only the nasal swabs work.Second, it is important to determine exactly what ingredients are in the product and how much of each it contains. Many products contain “proprietary” blends, which are patented mixes of ingredients that the manufacturer is not required to disclose. For example, many energy drinks may claim to be caffeine free and will not list caffeine in their ingredient list, but they may include it under the proprietary blend. An honest product should list everything it contains, as would a prescription medication.Third, check the ingredients of a product against your regular vitamins to avoid duplication. For example, a regular Centrum multivitamin contains 5,000 IU of vitamin A or half the safe level. Adding a single Airborne product daily would exceed this, especially with intake from a normal diet.The decision to take any pharmaceutical product, either supplemental or prescription, is a difficult one. When a doctor recommends a prescription medication, it is based on a careful evaluation of the pros and cons of the medicine, based on scientific studies. With over-the-counter products, it is up to you to do this. This can be difficult when the products are not regulated and the ingredients are not disclosed. To justify using them, make sure they are proven to work in good studies and ask your doctor if there are any questions.Dr. Kent HerbertBoard-Certified Family PhysicianFalcon Family Medicine7641 McLaughlin Rd.Falcon, CO 80831(719) 494-2006(719) 494-8448 faxwww.FalconFamilyMedicine.com
