title: The clinical efficacy of a bovine lactoferrin/whey protein Ig-rich fraction (Lf/IgF) for the common cold: a double blind randomized study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to determine if a bovine lactoferrin/whey protein Ig-rich fraction (Lf/IgF) combination was effective in reducing the number of colds and in turn improving symptom recovery in a cohort of males and females that reported frequently contracting a cold.
  
  
  METHODS
  A double blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  One-hundred and twenty-six participants matched by age, BMI, dietary and physical parameters with self-reported frequent upper respiratory tract symptoms and infections were randomly assigned to receive 600 mg of Lf/IgF or a placebo daily for 90 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 90 participants (47 receiving the active and 43 placebo) completed the 90 day trial and 15 completed 45 days participation (6 in the active and 9 in the placebo group). The total number of colds recorded over the study period was 48 for the treatment group versus 112 for the placebo group (p < 0.001). The significant trend was retained when the data was corrected for medications returned (p < 0.001) and for guessing treatment allocations (p < 0.001). Non-parametric analysis demonstrated that the total number of cold-associated symptoms reported by participants that received Lf/IgF was significantly less than those in the placebo group (p < 0.05). Also, total days sick with a cold and cold severity were reduced over the clinical trial period for Lf/IgF over placebo, but the trend was not significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings demonstrate that the Lf/IgF combination significantly decreased the incidence of colds and the cumulative number of cold-related symptoms over placebo. This therapeutic combination may be indicated for the prevention of colds and its most common symptoms in the general population when administered as a preventative supplement.
authors: Centre for Integrative Clinical and Molecular Medicine, The University of Queensland, School of Medicine, Brisbane, Australia. l.vitetta@uq.edu.au
authors: Luis
authors: L
authors: Vitetta
authors: Samantha
authors: S
authors: Coulson
authors: Shoshannah L
authors: SL
authors: Beck
authors: Helen
authors: H
authors: Gramotnev
authors: Sharon
authors: S
authors: Du
authors: Sophie
authors: S
authors: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003139:Common Cold / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015994:Incidence; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000067816:Whey Proteins; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D008894:Milk Proteins; D000067816:Whey Proteins; D007781:Lactoferrin