Early in the 1990s, an elementary school teacher by the name of Victoria Knight-McDowell began producing a herbal dietary supplement that was said to prevent colds. Because of its nature as a dietary supplement and not a drug, the tablets were allowed to be sold without any presale testing by the FDA.
Airborne was said to contain seventeen nutrients and herbs. Among them were vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, magnesium, selenium, manganese, sodium, potassium, amino acids and riboflavin. It also contained an extract blend of Echinacea, forsythia and maltodextrin. It contained a small amount of flavoring ingredients as well. The supplement is available in tablet, lozenge and powder form.
It is recommended to take the supplement as a method to ward off potential colds. However, it is not a perfect cure for a cold. The high doses of vitamin C, zinc and Echinacea in the supplement are instrumental in preventing colds and flues. The pills should be taken every 3 to 4 hours, not taking more than 3 a day.
Users have stated that while the supplement does not prevent a cold completely, it speed up recovery and lessens duration of illness. Scientifically, vitamin supplements cannot prevent colds or flues. So, Airborne does not technically prevent colds, and this fact was later used to bring lawsuits of false advertising against the supplement.
|