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

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

3 Tips For Germ-Free Travel

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 08 May 2012 04:17:50 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Fitness Magazine here on FitSugar!

Whether you're going by boat, plane, train, or automobile, travel bugs are bound to greet you. Here, some cringe-worthy stats on germs and traveling - and tips on how you can take a trip unscathed.

Stay Hydrated

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the air inside planes has anywhere from 10 to 20 percent humidity, which can dry out mucous membranes and make people more susceptible to germs. Staying hydrated throughout the trip can prevent nasal passages from being irritated, so load up on water and skip the carbonated beverages and booze. "Alcoholic and caffeinated drinks should be followed with water or fruit juice to rehydrate because they are diuretics and can cause water loss," advise Ray Fillmore Garman, MD, MPH, and Susan Spengler, MD, both associate professors with the Department of Preventive Medicine at the University of Kentucky. Sipping on water assists with immune function - and in some cases even helps with jet lag. For longer, international trips pack electrolyte-friendly snacks like GU Energy Chomps, a banana, nuts, or a small bag of fortified cereal to keep drowsiness at bay.

Keep reading for two more healthy travel tips after the break.

A Pass That Offers Unlimited Lifetime Access to First-Class Travel

Emily Co — Mon, 07 May 2012 15:29:12 PDT

Imagine having access to a pass that lets you fly as much as you want. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, that's the reality for the lucky few who own AAirpass, a pass that gets them an unlimited lifetime access to first-class trips on American Airlines.

The lifestyle of these privileged AAirpass holders was recently featured in an LA Times feature over the weekend. Apparently, American Airlines is losing millions of dollars from some of the heavy users of the AAirpass program. The firm decided to find ways to cancel some of their memberships and allegedly used dirty tactics such as bribery and extortion.

The program was started in 1981 as a way for the airline to raise money for expansion. Each pass started out costing $250,000 and came with the option of purchasing an additional companion pass for an extra $150,000. Of course, the price rose throughout the years, and the airline finally retired the program in 1994. However, it did make one last appearance in 2004 in a Neiman Marcus Christmas catalog for $3 million.

Here's what it's like to hold one of these passes:

"He was airborne almost every other day. If a friend mentioned a new exhibit at the Louvre, Rothstein thought nothing of jetting from his Chicago home to San Francisco to pick her up and then fly to Paris together.

In July 2004, for example, Rothstein flew 18 times, visiting Nova Scotia, New York, Miami, London, Los Angeles, Maine, Denver and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., some of them several times over. The complexity of such itineraries would stump most travelers; happily for AAirpass holders, American provided elite agents able to solve the toughest booking puzzles."

It sounds like a dream to be able to fly to any country you want on a whim - where would you travel if you had one of these passes?

Sneeze-Free: Hypoallergenic Dog and Cat Breeds

Sara Yoo — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:00:00 PDT

If you know someone with pet allergies, then you're probably aware that some dog and cat breeds are less likely to cause your pal sneezes and itchy eyes. It's not necessarily the animal's fur that keeps some sniffles at bay: these breeds produce less dander or certain proteins in their saliva, or shed less than other breeds, thereby reducing airborne allergens. While these pets are great companions for allergy sufferers, keep in mind that they aren't completely allergen-free, so taking other measures (like frequent house cleaning, hand washing, and air filtering) will be necessary if you make them part of your family. It's important to do your research when considering a new pet, but here's a roundup of hypoallergenic dogs and cats to get brains a-storming.

Source: Flickr User Asha Elizabeth Gupta

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.