Natalie needs nasal knowledge: My question isn’t about beauty, but I’m all sniffely and I really want to know. Does Airborne Cold Relief work?
The Left Brain’s snotty reply:
Actually Natalie, I do think your question is beauty related. Because when I get a bad cold my nose gets red and my eyes get bleary, and I don’t feel beautiful at all!
Airborne for dummies
For those of you who don’t know, Airborne is a vitamin supplement that claims to “boosts your immune system to help your body combat germs.” It’s basically a vitamin supplement containing high levels of Vitamin A mixed with some herbal extracts. You may have seen the product in grocery and drug stores – it features cutesy graphics and the slogan “Developed by a school teacher.”
Does it work?
From a scientific perspective, there’s no reason Airborne should work because it’s nothing more than a combination of common vitamins and herbs. But, according to Airborne, their product is proven to work in a “clinical study.” Isn’t that proof? Not it’s not, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). This public action group challenged Airborne’s claims in court. They cited an ABC news investigation that showed that the company that conducted Airborne’s “clinical study” was in fact a sham. There was no clinic, no scientists, and no doctors. And since this news report appeared, Airborne has removed the “clinical” claim from their packaging. David Schardt of CSPI even goes on to say:
There’s no credible evidence that what’s in Airborne can prevent colds or protect you from a germy environment. Airborne is basically an overpriced, run-of-the-mill vitamin pill that’s been cleverly, but deceptively, marketed.
By the way, CPSI’s suit against Airborne resulted in the company agreeing to pay refund $23.3 million to customers, even though they did not admit any wrong doing.
The Beauty Brains bottom line
Based on this analysis, I won’t waste my money on Airborne. If you want to learn more I suggest you check out one of my favorite blogs, Science Based Medicine. And I hope you feel better soon!
Reference: Science Based Medicine
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Jo Says:
Airborne is BS, but zinc supplements work beautifully. Taken by mouth twice a day on a full stomach (important!), zinc has really, truly, clinically been shown to shorten the duration of a cold by three or so days. And it reduces the severity of the cold as well.
I live by zinc.
Tonya Says:
It’s my experience that most common cold “cures” work in the same amount of time that I usually get over a cold on my own!
bac Says:
I swear by airborne - especially when flying. It has never let me down. It must be taken prior to cold, when you have that run down feeling.
becca Says:
Good to have my suspicions of Airborne confirmed.
Like Jo above, I live by zinc supplements (Cold-Eeze). They have to have a certain kind of zinc, and you need to take them as soon as you feel the cold/illness coming on — but they definitely help!
Drea Says:
Efficacy aside, this supplement contains 5000IU of Vitamin A, 100% of the RDA. Because Vitamin A is fat-soluble, it is difficult for the body to get rid. So toxicity can be a problem if you take it daily for long periods or if you get too much of it in one dose (check to make certain your other supplements aren’t giving you a double or more dose). Also, if you have liver issues you have to be extra careful. And don’t give this stuff to kids! They have smaller masses, so that Vitamin A accumulates faster.
Vivian Says:
Any product on the market that claims to cure the common cold is lying. Having said that, I am a big fan of Airborne. I use it whenever I feel a cold coming on and during the illness as well. It doesn’t cure it, but it does help. I don’t feel as rundown and I tend to have much more energy. It also shortens the length of my colds and the severity of the symptoms considerably. I will continue to use Airborne and I don’t think one should knock it until they have tried it.
barbara Says:
isn’t that “run-down feeling” cured by vitamin C and its energy boosting benefits? I stopped buying airborne after it not helping me multiple times. If you’re looking for a better source of information on what vitamins to be taking for the common cold and many other conditions, I’d suggest the Dietary Supplement Information Bureau.
courtney Says:
Yeah, I tried it when several people told me to go home and take it. It did not work.
Plus after that it seems like I saw a news piece that said that the dosage of one of the vitamins (A I believe) is really high, and dangerous if you take the max allowance. But this was just from overhearing the TV while I was doing dishes so you might want to double check.