Amino Acid Composition Reduces Frequency of Common Colds. Results of a Controlled Randomised Completely Masked Trial

Abstract

Purpose: Special nutrients have an impact on common cold infections. In this trial we have investigated the effectiveness of the specific amino acid composition “aminoplus? immun” on the occurrence, duration and severity of common cold. Material and Methods: Our study is a controlled, randomised completely masked trial comparing genuine trial remedy versus placebo in parallel groups. Eligible subjects were people with recurrent and chronic infections of the ear, nose and pharyngeal area. The treatment period was 90 days. The primary outcome was the mean number of days that the patients had symptoms of infections. Results: From Oct. 2009 to Feb. 2010 a total of 145 patients were recruited, of whom 119 had no major protocol violation and were valid for assessment. Two thirds of the patients were female. The mean age of the patients was 45 years. 65% of participants had come into contact with many people and thereby an increased risk of infection. On average the patients had 11.1 infections during the 12 months before the study. Compliance for the intake of the study preparation was 98.9%. Due to randomisation, the groups were very similar and balanced. The primary and all 6 secondary outcome variables showed a clear superiority of the investigated amino acid composition over placebo (p < 0.0001). No intolerance was documented. Conclusion: The specific composition “aminoplus? immun is effective in preventing recurrent and chronic infections of the ear, nose and upper respiratory tract.

Share and Cite:

A. Meyer, D. Meister and W. Gaus, "Amino Acid Composition Reduces Frequency of Common Colds. Results of a Controlled Randomised Completely Masked Trial," Food and Nutrition Sciences, Vol. 4 No. 3, 2013, pp. 262-269. doi: 10.4236/fns.2013.43035.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1] J. Footitt and S. L. Johnston, “Cough and Viruses in Airways Disease: Mechanism,” Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Vol. 22, No. 2, 2009, pp. 108-113. doi:10.1016/j.pupt.2008.12.022
[2] D. Kilgore and W. Najm, “Common Respiratory Diseases,” Primary Care Clinical Office Practise, Vol. 37, No. 2, 2010, pp. 297-324.
[3] G. Rohde, “Drug Targets in Rhinoviral Infections,” Infectious Disorders—Drug Targets, Vol. 9, No. 2, 2009, pp. 126-132.
[4] M. S. Faber, K. Heckenbach, E. Velasco and T. Eckmanns, “Antibiotics for the Common Cold: Expectations of Germany’s General Population,” Research Article, 2010, pp. 1-7. www.eurosurveillance.org
[5] A. Str?hle and A. Hahn, “Vitamin C and Immune Function,” Medizinische Monatsschrift Pharmacologie, Vol. 32, No. 2, 2009, pp. 49-54.
[6] P. Stehle, “Immunonutrition—Nutrients with Immunomodulating Action, Part 1: Amino Acids,” Ern?hrungs-Umschau, Vol. 47, No. 6, 2000, pp. 216-222.
[7] A. Str?hle and A. Hahn “Bedeutung von Mikron?hrstoffen für die Immunkompetenz,” MMW-Fortschritte der Medizin Orginalien, No. 3, 2009, pp. 133-141.
[8] W. Gaus and D. Chase “Klinische Studien: Regelwerke, Strukturen, Dokumente, Daten,” 2nd Edition, Verlag, Norderstedt, 2008.
[9] E. M. Lemmel, M. Franke, W. Gaus, P. W. Hartl, P. H. Hofschneider, K. Miehlke, K. Machalke and H. J. Obert, “Results of a Phase-II Clinical Trial on Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis with Recombinant Interferon-Gamma,” Rheumatology International, Vol. 7, No. 3, 1987, pp. 127-132. doi:10.1007/BF00270465
[10] P. Li, Y.-L. Yin, D. Li, S. W. Kim and G. Wu, “Amino Acids and Immune Function,” British Journal of Nutrition, Vol. 98, No. 2, 2007, pp. 237-252. doi:10.1017/S000711450769936X
[11] M. A. Potenza, C. Nacci and D. Mitola-Chippa, “Immuno-Regulatory Effects of L-Arginine and Therapeutic Implications,” Current Drug Targets—Immune, Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2001, pp. 67-77. doi:10.2174/1568008013341811
[12] J. T. Brosnan and M. E. Brosnan, “The Sulphur-Containing Amino Acids: An Overview,” Journal of Nutrition, Vol. 136, No. 6S, 2006, pp. 1636S-1640S.
[13] G. Atmaca, “Antioxidant Effects of Sulphur-Containing Amino Acids,” Yonsai Medical Journal, Vol. 45, No. 5, 2004, pp. 776-788.
[14] S. S. Iyer, C. J. Accardi, T. R. Ziegler, R. A. Blance, J. D. Ritzenthaler, M. Rojas, J. Roman and D. P. Jones, “Cysteine Redox Potential Determines Pro-Inflammatory Il-1b levels,” PLoS One, Vol. 4, No. 3, 2009, pp. 1-10.
[15] M. Coeffier, R. Marian-Letellier and P. Dechelatte, “Potential of Amino Acids Supplementation during Inflammatory Bowel Disease,” Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Vol. 16, No. 5, 2010, pp. 18-24.
[16] R. F. Grimble “The Effects of Sulphur Amino Acid In-take on Immune Function in Humans,” Journal of Nutrition, Vol. 136, No. 6, 2006, pp. 1660S -1665S.
[17] M. E. Nimni, B. Han and J. Cordoba, “Are We Getting Enough Sulphur in Our Diet?” Nutrition & Metabolism, Vol. 4, No. 24, 2007, pp. 1-12. doi:10.1186/1743-7075-4-24
[18] S. Maggin, E. S. Wintergerst, S. Beveridge and D. H. Hornig, “Selected Vitamins and Trace Elements Support Immune Function by Strengthening Epithelial Barriers and Cellulare and Humorale Immune Response,” British Journal of Nutrition, Vol. 98, No. 1, 2007, pp. S29-S35.

Copyright © 2024 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc.

Creative Commons License

This work and the related PDF file are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.