FitSugar

Nice Try, Airborne!

GiggleSugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:00:00 PDT

Now that Airborne has been largely discredited as a cold preventer, they've decided to go to fantasy land in their ads. Sorry, Sebastian, you've got a nice bod, but I will stick to washing my hands a lot, thank you very much. (While we're on the subject of romance novels, check out this poll. . .)

Liar, Liar: Airborne Class Action Lawsuit

SavvySugar — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 04:16:51 PST

Airborne was never particularly something I bought into, but that doesn't mean I've never tried it. Often recommended by stars and featured on popular talk shows, Airborne made its way into the bodies of people hoping it would do more for their immune systems than crossing their fingers. Turns out Airborne doesn't have any proof that its product does any good beyond a placebo effect, and the company has agreed to pay $23.3 million in a class action lawsuit for false advertising. Given the context, doesn't the guy in the blue suit on the box look like he's rolling his eyes at the product? If you want to know how can you get in on the vitamin-y action, just

read more If you purchased an Airborne product between May 1, 2001 and November 29, 2007 you can file a claim and will receive a refund for your purchase. Depending on how many people take the initiative to file, there's a chance your refund will be less than the full purchase price if the total claims amount to more than $23.3 million. What if you don't have proof of your purchase? The settlement website says: If you do not have a Proof of Purchase, you can still file a Proof of Claim for up to 6 boxes of Airborne Products. You will get a refund that is based on the average retail price of the Product: $10.50 per box of Seasonal, $2.75 per box for Gummi, and $6.99 per box for all other Airborne Products." You can file your claim online at the Airborne Settlement website or send it by mail. If filed online, it must be submitted by September 15 and if you send it in the mail, it has to be postmarked by the same date.

Mommy Alert! Airborne Is a Fraud

LilSugar — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:00:08 PST

Airborne, the effervescent health formula said to boost a person's immunity is a fraud.

A CNN article reported that the company, started by a teacher will have to pay $23.3 million to settle the class action lawsuit brought against it for false advertising.

The piece said:

"There's no credible evidence that what's in Airborne can prevent colds or protect you from a germy environment," said CSPI Senior nutritionist David Schardt. "Airborne is basically on overpriced, run-of-the-mill vitamin pill that's been cleverly, but deceptively, marketed."

Many parents swore by the pills believing they fended off illness - were you one of them?

Airborne Paying Out the Big Bucks

FitSugar — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:45:00 PST

While we are all looking for a magic bullet to protect ourselves from germs and viruses, one popular cold preventative has been debunked, and quite publicly at that. Makers of Airborne, the herbal supplement that originally advertised itself as a " miracle cold buster," have settled a false advertising lawsuit to the tune of $23.3 million. The company, however, does not admit wrongdoing or illegal conduct. Airborne now claims to be an "immune booster" rather than a supplement that can prevent or treat colds.

The controversy over Airborne's claims began in 2006 when a national television report questioned the validity of a clinical trial used by the company as proof that the supplement worked as advertised. Airborne has a diverse product line, but all the supplements contain a base formula containing vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E as well as magnesium, zinc, selenium, and herbs. Not only will this formula not prevent colds, it might be dangerous to your health, too. Two tablets contain the 10,000 IU of vitamin A, the upper limit of daily intake of the vitamin. The dose instruction on the box warn to not exceed three tablets a day.

To find out if you are eligible for a refund for Airborne purchases, call 888-952-9080 or airbornehealthsettlement.com for details.

When looking to protect yourself from colds and viruses, the best defense is regular hand washing. Hope this cold and flu season ends soon.

Source

6 Unique Ways to Fend Off Illnesses and Avoid Medical Bills

Emily Co — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:57:16 PST

There are very few things that are worse than getting sick. Not only will you have pricey medical bills to pay, but you may also have to skip out on work. Fortunately, you can employ plenty of preventative methods to avoid falling ill. We've heard the usual "eat right and exercise" advice, so here are a couple of tactics that you may not have heard of:

Immune boosters in a pill: Although you've heard of the usual immune boosters like vegetables and fruits, there are a couple of holistic cures you might want to try. There's New Chapter's LifeShield Immunity ($20), which is a supplement made out of a combination of mycelium, fruiting bodies, spores, and extracellular compounds from tonic mushrooms.
Take ginseng with your vaccine: When you get a flu vaccine, try taking some ginseng with it so you'll bounce back from the effects of the vaccine. There was a study done in which only 13 percent of the group of participants who took ginseng with flu vaccinations caught colds vs. 37 percent of the placebo group.
Trick yourself psychologically: Don't discount old wives' remedies! Even if you don't have any scientific proof, perhaps the cures have some sort of psychological effect that results in physical effects. For example, a cure for cough that works for me is rubbing vapor rub over my feet and wearing socks at night. Another scientifically disproved treatment is Airborne, which somehow always fends off a cold when I feel one coming on.

Read on for more tips.

Let's Play Pretend: 10 Felt Toy Finds For Tots

LilSugar — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 05:27:15 PDT

Felt fun for everyone! Plastic toys can contain BPA and other hazardous chemicals leading mamas to search for healthier options. Wooden toys are a nontoxic alternative but as any mama - on the receiving end of a wooden slice of watermelon thrown by baby - can tell you, they can be dangerous when airborne. Check out these 10 felt toys for tots and let the good times roll!

The Best and Worst Flu Season Remedies

Prevention — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:12:53 PDT

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

Find out which immune-boosting supplements really help — and which are just hype
By the Editors at Prevention

Flu shots, hand washing, healthy eating, and regular exercise are the best ways to avoid cold and flu.

But sometimes even the most scrupulous germaphobes and healthy people get sick anyway. While certain natural remedies can help shorten symptoms — or prevent infection entirely — many people waste money on measures that are all hype. Here's how to know the difference so you can get well faster — without wasting a penny.

The Germiest Spots in Your Home

1. Omega-3 Pill
The Verdict: Help
Take it: All season long
If you don't like or eat a lot of fish, pop an omega-3 supplement daily to reap the fatty acid's impressive immune-fortifying properties. Omega-3s increase the activity of phagocytes — cells that fight flu by eating up bacteria — according to a study by Britain's Institute of Human Nutrition and School of Medicine. Other research shows that omega-3s increase airflow and protect lungs from colds and respiratory infections.

Look for purified fish oil capsules that contain at least 1 g combined of EPA and DHA.

Keep reading for the rest of the list.

The 5 Germiest Spots For Travelers

Heather Dale — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 13:53:36 PDT

Jet-setters, backpackers, hotel aficionados beware - your carefree travel from point A to point B may not be so innocent after all. There are germs lurking on the check-in counter at the airport, on the subway seat during your morning commute, and on the ice bucket in your hotel room. If you've watched the movie Contagion, you'll most likely already be on high germ alert. Here are are five bacteria-thriving spots travelers should take extra precaution to protect themselves against.

Airports: As soon as you arrive at the airport, you'll come in contact with the check-in counter and ticket kiosk - both of which are covered in bacteria and possibly even mold. Just think of the thousands (possibly millions) of people who have touched these areas before you. Try wiping the kiosk ticket monitor with an antibacterial hand wipe to make sure it's clean before using, or wash your hands afterward as soon as possible.

And to avoid athlete's foot or other fungal infections when walking through the security checkpoint, wear socks (or bring some if you're wearing sandals) - just don't go barefoot! Staphylococcus aureus has been discovered in these checkpoints.

Keep reading to see what other locations made the list.

See the Six Contagion Posters With Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, and More

Shannon Vestal — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 11:00:38 PDT

The Contagion trailer features an A-list cast of folks like Matt Damon and Kate Winslet dealing with an outbreak of an airborne virus and, most notably, Gwyneth Paltrow losing her fight with the disease and making a truly disturbing face. Her expression is just one that's featured on Contagion's set of six new posters, which each focus on a character from the doomsday film. Check them all out to see other stars like Marion Cotillard and Jude Law, and feel their panic through your screen.

Workout Style: Colorblocking

FitSugar — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 15:10:42 PDT

Spring is here, which means it's time to liven up those dark and drab workout wardrobes even if it's still rainy. Two of the biggest trends this year are nude hues and colorblocking. From fashion to home decor, bright color combinations are everywhere you look. Whether you are working up a major sweat sesh or running errands, you will certainly stand out in an illuminating ensemble like this one. We combined neons - fabulous fuchsia, vivid yellow, and electric blue - to get this fab look, but there are many ways to work the trend. Show us your favorite way to colorblock your fitness gear.

Clockwise from top left: Nike Airborne Tank ($45), Nike Dri Fit Sports Bra ($36), American Apparel Denim Fluorescent Gym Bag ($18), Puma Loop Watch ($50), Nike Pegasus Running Shoes ($100), Nike Hero Shorts ($25)