User:TekConnect/sandbox

Some proposed changes
COLD-FX is a product derived from the roots of North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). It was formulated by Jacqueline Shan and originally manufactured by her company, Afexa Life Sciences Inc. (formerly called CV Technologies Inc.). It was headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and subsequently, the company and lead product was acquired by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (headquartered in Laval, Quebec, Canada) in 2011.

The active ingredient in COLD-FX® Daily Support is a patented extract from North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). There is mixed reviews about the efficacy of COLD-FX. The efficacy of this extract has been tested in clinical trials conducted in collaboration with researchers from Canadian universities. COLD-FX has been assessed in 6 published randomized, double-blinded and placebo controlled clinical trials and 20+ published articles. In vitro and clinical studies showed that COLD-FX helps to reduce the frequency, severity and duration of cold and flu symptoms by boosting the immune system. COLD-FX is licensed by Health Canada as a Natural Health Product. A review by Dr. Barrett and Dr. Brown from University of Wisconsin, which was published in American Botantical Council (A North America’s leading nonprofit research and education organization on herbal medicine) concluded that the clinical research on COLD-FX is “impressive” and promising, and these studies showed “evidence suggesting ability to prevent acute respiratory infections.”  According to Health Canada's Natural Health Product Directorate records, COLD-FX claims to "help reduce the frequency, severity and duration of cold and flu symptoms by boosting the immune system". However, there are conflicting opinions regarding the efficacy of COLD-FX in the prevention of the common cold. Others, took a more skeptical view on the efficacy of this herbal remedy. A common issue faced by most natural supplements such as: That there is no evidence that it is effective in those infected with the common cold,  and the effect of preventative use is not clear.


 * Medical uses

COLD-FX has a portfolio of natural health products that provides (proactive) Daily Support (Daily Support, Extra Strength and Chewables) and Symptom Relief of cold and flu symptoms (COLD-FX First Signs). The original COLD-FX products were formulated with the active ingredient extracted from North American ginseng, which has shown to have immune modulating effect. The patented extract used in COLD-FX is one of the few natural supplements which has gone through rigorous clinical studies. Blumenthal from American Botanical Council suggested that COLD-FX “represents a new class of herb-based therapeutic products” and is a “result of intensive scientific research on a natural herb”. Clinical studies involving more than 1600 patients, showed that the active ingredient in COLD-FX can help reduce and prevent common cold and flu symptoms when taken daily.,


 * Adverse effects

Individuals requiring anti-coagulant therapy such as warfarin should avoid use of American ginseng. Not recommended for individuals with impaired liver or renal function. It is not recommended in those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Other adverse effects include: headaches, anxiety, trouble sleeping and an upset stomach.


 * Criticism

The efficacy of COLD-FX has been covered in the media. In 2015 a class action lawsuit was launched that claimed that the manufacturer misled people. The lawsuit was subsequently dismissed in a B.C. Supreme Court ruling in 2017. The appeal on this case was dismissed in 2018. All studies posing 'significant' results on its efficacy were funded by the manufacturer. Other criticisms point out that these studies have been small scale, with conspicuously shallow participant pools and lopsided gender distributions. Researchers have pointed out that there aren't enough studies on the effects of any form of Ginseng on the common cold to form any conclusions. Scientists have argued that COLD-FX has not been tested for its ability to treat a cold after an individual has been infected. In addition, no studies have yet been performed to assess the possible long term side effects of taking the pills every day during the cold and flu season. Afexa Life Sciences Inc. (formerly called CV Technologies Inc.), the makers of COLD-FX, were criticized for making health claims about the product that have never been tested or verified scientifically. Up until February 2007, the company advised a regimen of 18 pills over a course of 3 days in order to obtain "immediate relief" from a cold. Health Canada's review of the scientific literature confirmed that this is not a claim that CV Technologies Inc. is entitled to make. The company formulated a separate product for this usage. A CV Technologies press release explained the change in the dosing regimen as a choice to take a two-tier approach application to Health Canada.


 * External links

TekConnect (talk) 00:21, 4 October 2018 (UTC)

Reply 04-OCT-2018
This diff shows the major differences between the article as it exists now and the proposed changes on this talk page. Those changes include:


 * 1) Deletion of secondary source discussing the purported inefficacy of the product while simultaneously adding primary source documents discussing the product's purported efficacy.  Per WP:MEDRS, references to secondary sources are suggested to use.
 * 2) Numerous errors in formatting and WP:MOS adherence (e.g., the addition of ® at several points in the article, non-standard capitalization, etc.) are also preventing this text from being found acceptable.

Regards,  Spintendo   08:15, 4 October 2018 (UTC)