CVT-E002 (Cold-fX®)is currently only available in Canada. The manufacturer is CV Technology (CVQ.V). Hopefully they will have a US listing soon. This article is courtesy RXpress, a pharmacy journal
CVT-E002 (Cold-fX®) claims to boost the immune system
increasing resistance to disease, help prevent colds and flu from
developing, and facilitate rapid recovery. The active component of
CVT-E002 is proprietary extract derived from Panax quinquefolium
(North American ginseng) containing oligosaccharides and
polysaccharides (furanosyl-pyranosyl-saccharides). The
mechanism of action of Cold-fX has been defined via scientific
investigation.
CVT-E002 enhances innate immune responses by activation of and
increasing natural killer (NK) cells (involving a major
histocompatibility complex [MHC] class I mechanism). It also
enhances acquired immune responses (humoral and cellmediated)
as demonstrated by: an increase in interleukins -1 and
-6 (IL -1, IL -6) resulting in proliferation of B- and T- cells, an
increase in circulating IgG (the main antibody defense against
bacteria), and an increase in interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferongamma
(IFN-gamma) regulators of cell-mediated immunity
(Diagram 1). CVT-E002 does not affect major liver enzymes.20,21
Clinical studies have shown CVT-E002 to be safe and effective
including a successful US FDA randomized double-blind placebocontrolled
trial. In all studies the product was shown to be safe
and well tolerated.
One study concluded that CVT-E002 prevents recurrent cold and
flu infections by 56 per cent and significantly reduces days of
illness and symptom severity. This Health Canada authorized
randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted
on 279 healthy adults from the general population (18 to 65 years
of age) with a history of at least two upper respiratory infections
(colds) in the previous year. The control group received CVT-E002
(2 X 200 mg/day) for four months and demonstrated a significant
reduction (26 per cent) in the average number and frequency of
upper respiratory infections per person versus placebo. The
incidence of recurrent infections was reduced by 56 per cent. A
reduction in the total number of days suffered with cold or flu
symptoms reduced from 10.9 to 6.0, and a 31 per cent reduction
in the severity of symptoms was observed in the CVT-E002 group.
CVT-E002 was shown to significantly stimulate the total number
of T-lymphocytes and T-helper lymphocytes, as well as Natural
Killer (NK) cells.22,23
Another study demonstrated CVT-E002 reduces
risk of colds, flu and respiratory illness by 89 per
cent and was complimentary to the flu vaccine.
This US FDA authorized randomized doubleblind,
placebo-controlled trial of CVT-E002 in
institutionalized older adults, demonstrated
CVT-E002 significantly reduced the risk, by 89
per cent, of developing laboratory confirmed
influenza or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in
a senior population after eight to 12 weeks of
treatment. The control group received a dose of
400 mg daily (2 X 200 mg) of CVT-E002 which
was shown to be effective for preventing acute
respiratory illness due to influenza and RSV.24 A
double-blind, placebo controlled study of CVTE002
in an immunocompetent community
dwelling of adults aged 65 years or older
demonstrated a statistically significant reduction
in the number of illnesses, the majority of which
were associated with respiratory symptoms. The
results demonstrated a greater incidence of
respiratory symptoms in the placebo group (76
per cent) versus the CVT-E002 (45 per cent)
after four months of treatment at 400mg (2 X
200mg) of CVT-E002 ) daily.25
An open study on 22 high performance athletes
demonstrated that 71 per cent reported CVTE002
prevented the cold from developing and
improved how the participants felt with chronic
treatment with CVT-E002. Participants took 400
mg (2 X 200 mg) daily for eight months. Fifty
per cent reported that CVT-E002 allowed them
to recover faster from a cold after three days of
acute treatment at the onset of cold and flu like
symptoms. In the case of acute treatment the
athletes took 600 mg (3 X 200 mg) three times
daily (TID) on day one totaling nine capsules,
then took 400 mg (2 X 200 mg) TID on day two
totaling six capsules, and 200 mg (1 X 200 mg)
TID on day three totaling three capsules.26
The suggested dose of CVT-E002 (Cold-fX®) for
immediate relief is three capsules TID (nine
capsules) on day one, two capsules TID (six
capsules) day two, and one capsule TID (three
capsules) day three. The recommended dose for
daily prevention is one capsule, twice daily.27
While more research is warranted for these
natural products, promising preliminary
investigations have demonstrated positive
clinical conclusions and dosing
recommendations.
