Certain micronutrients exhibit immunomodulatory effects. However, no intervention has yet investigated the effect of individualized supplementation on the severity of upper respiratory tract infections (URIs). Therefore, we investigated whether a personalized supplementation moderates the incidence and severity of URI. Selenium, zinc, and vitamin D were measured in dried blood spots from 59 healthy participants. Accordingly, a personalized supplement was provided with or without the respective micronutrients. We used WURSS-21 questionnaires to assess the disease status. The blood values converged during the intervention and micronutrients no longer differed between treated and untreated volunteers at the end of the intervention period. The incidence and severity of the illness did not significantly differ between the groups. However, when analyzing the WURSS-21 scores by the intention to treat, the initially randomized treatment arm revealed a significantly higher score than the placebo arm. Upon acute administration, individualized combinations of selenium, zinc and vitamin D do not reduce the number, or contribute to a milder course of URIs. Therefore, supplementation in acute infectious situations seems questionable. Further studies must address the habitual diet in more detail, to better understand the impact of individual micronutrient status on the prevention of URI.

UNASSIGNED: The common cold is a frequent, acute, and mild upper respiratory human disease. Nasal congestion has been considered the most bothersome symptom in the common cold, impacting quality of life (QoL). Topical decongestants containing steroids benefit QoL in allergic rhinitis, but no published research has assessed the impact of topical decongestants on QoL in the common cold.
UNASSIGNED: To evaluate the effects of xylometazoline hydrochloride 0.1% (Otrivin, GSK Consumer Healthcare SARL, Switzerland) for up to 7 days on QoL in participants with nasal congestion associated with the common cold.
UNASSIGNED: This was a decentralized, longitudinal, open-label study.
UNASSIGNED: The study enrolled 136 participants (⩾18 years) with early symptoms of the common cold, of which 102 were included in the modified intention-to-treat (mITT) population. Within 24 h of study product receipt, participants confirmed a \'plugged nose\' and ⩾1 other common cold symptom. Primary endpoints were Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey-21 (WURSS-21) total score, total and individual symptom scores, and total QoL score. Secondary endpoints were additional QoL scores. Exploratory and post hoc analyses included median days to resolution for each QoL factor and analyses of five QoL categories.
UNASSIGNED: Consistent improvements in symptoms and QoL were seen in the mITT population. From day 1, improvements were seen in the \'plugged nose\' symptom (p = 0.0023), WURSS-21 total QoL score, and all individual QoL scores (p < 0.0001 for all). After the last dose needed, significant improvements were seen in sleep quality (73%), vitality (76%), physical activity (71%), social activity (80%), and sensation (81%). No serious or unexpected adverse events were reported.
UNASSIGNED: This study is the first to demonstrate in a real-life setting that treating nasal congestion in adults with xylometazoline hydrochloride 0.1% during the common cold positively impacts QoL factors relevant to daily living [Otrivin: Quality of Life (QoL) Impact in a Real-World Setting; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05556148].
Impact of xylometazoline hydrochloride 0.1% on quality of life in people with blocked nose associated with the common coldThe common cold is a widespread, mild respiratory illness for which a hallmark symptom is a blocked or stuffy nose, which makes breathing and sleeping difficult. This study focused on how a nasal spray called Otrivin (containing xylometazoline hydrochloride 0.1%) impacts the quality of life (QoL) of people suffering from nasal congestion due to the common cold.Participants answered a questionnaire called the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey-21 (WURSS-21), which helped understand how people experience respiratory symptoms and how different aspects of QoL were impacted. Participants also responded to eight additional QoL questions not covered in the WURSS-21.The results showed that from the first day of using the nasal spray, participants experienced significant relief from the blocked nose symptom and reported an overall improvement in their QoL and well-being, such as in sleep quality, energy levels, senses, and physical and social activities.In conclusion, this real-world study demonstrated that using xylometazoline hydrochloride 0.1% nasal spray during the common cold can significantly improve nasal congestion and various aspects of a person’s daily life. These findings provide valuable evidence for using this nasal spray to relieve symptoms and enhance the overall well-being of individuals with the common cold.

An adequate and balanced supply of nutrients is essential for maintaining health, and an optimal immune response is fast, contained and properly controlled, curbing infections quickly while minimizing damage. Several micronutrients contribute to normal immune function and certain dietary fibers, for example pectic polysaccharides, can play an important role in educating and regulating immune cell responses. The aim of this paper is to elaborate on our initial findings that dietary supplementation with carrot-derived rhamnogalacturonan-I (cRG-I) accelerates and augments local innate immune and anti-viral interferon response to a rhinovirus-16 (RV16) infection and reduces the severity and duration of symptoms in humans. Dietary intake of cRG-I also enhanced immune responses to this respiratory viral infection as measured by ex vivo stimulation of whole blood with the Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) ligand polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid and NK cell function. Consumption of cRG-I also reduced the negative effects of this common cold infection on quality of life as assessed by individual symptom scores. RG-I from carrot is a safe, sustainable, and economically viable solution that could easily be integrated into food products and dietary supplements aiming to support immune fitness and wellbeing.

BACKGROUND: Restoration of vitamin D sufficiency may reduce asthma exacerbations, events that are often associated with respiratory tract infections and cold symptoms.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether vitamin D supplementation reduces cold symptom occurrence and severity in adults with mild to moderate asthma and vitamin D insufficiency.
METHODS: Colds were assessed in the AsthmaNet VIDA (Vitamin D Add-on Therapy Enhances Corticosteroid Responsiveness) trial, in which 408 adult patients were randomized to receive placebo or cholecalciferol (100,000 IU load plus 4,000 IU/d) for 28 weeks as add-on therapy. The primary outcome was cold symptom severity, which was assessed using daily scores on the 21-item Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey.
RESULTS: A total of 203 participants experienced at least one cold. Despite achieving 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels of 41.9 ng/ml (95% confidence interval [CI], 40.1-43.7 ng/ml) by 12 weeks, vitamin D supplementation had no effect on the primary outcome: the average peak WURSS-21 scores (62.0 [95% CI, 55.1-68.9; placebo] and 58.7 [95% CI, 52.4-65.0; vitamin D]; P = 0.39). The rate of colds did not differ between groups (rate ratio [RR], 1.2; 95% CI, 0.9-1.5); however, among African Americans, those receiving vitamin D versus placebo had an increased rate of colds (RR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1-2.7; P = 0.02). This was also observed in a responder analysis of all subjects achieving vitamin D sufficiency, regardless of treatment assignment (RR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1-1.7; P = 0.009).
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings in patients with mild to moderate asthma undergoing an inhaled corticosteroid dose reduction do not support the use of vitamin D supplementation for the purpose of reducing cold severity or frequency.