Anchor Health's Cold Facts ingredients are:

• Vitamin A (Fish Liver Oil and Beta Carotene)
  Vitamin A is required for proper vision, immune system, reproductive, and skin health, as well as for proper growth and development of our body.
  
  Specifically for the immune system, vitamin A is required to mount an effective immune reaction against infections. Indeed, people with low levels of this vitamin are more susceptible to infections, especially viral infections.
  
  
• Vitamin C
  Vitamin C is one of the body's best antioxidants. As part of its health functions, vitamin C can enhance the immune system functions by improving white blood cell function, antibody levels, antibody functions, and more.
  
  One of the popular uses of vitamin C is for the common cold. In fact, there are over 20 clinical studies on this aspect of this vitamin's health benefits. The majority of these studies concluded that this vitamin C can reduce the severity and duration of the cold.
  
  In times of stress, our body's requirement of vitamin C increases, so be sure to get enough of it.
  
  
• Niacin
  Niacin, or vitamin B3, is famous for its ability to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. This nutrient has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which may help your body fight off infections.
  
  
• Vitamin B6
  This workhorse vitamin is required by no fewer than 100 chemical and metabolic processes in our body. Of particular interest is vitamin B6's role in the formation of red blood cells, maintaining hormonal balance, and boosting the immune system.
  
  Today, about one-third of adults actually do not get enough vitamin B6 from their diet, mostly due to eating processed food. Be sure to get enough of this vitamin by taking your daily supplements.
  
  
• Folic Acid
  Folic acid or folate is well known for its health benefits of protecting against heart disease and preventing birth defects. Folic acid can also boost the production of red blood cell, which is required for your body to mount an effective immune response against infections.
  
  Since cooking destroy the folic acid content in food and vegetables, and that our body does not retain folic acid (it is secreted in urine), it is important to get your daily supply by taking supplements.
  
  
• Pantothenic Acid
  Also known as vitamin B5, pantothenic acid is essential for almost all functions of our body from growth to energy metabolism to reproductive health.
  
  The health benefits of pantothenic acid are varied: specifically, it helps our body manage stress and prevent fatigue during cold and may help reduce the symptoms of allergies.
  
  
• Calcium
  Calcium is the most abundant mineral in our body. In addition to its well-known role in keeping our bones healthy, calcium is also involved in hormone production, energy metabolism, digestion, neural functions, immune system, and many others.
  
  
• Zinc
  This essential trace mineral is actually needed by all cells in our body to function properly. It is believed to strengthen the immune system by promoting white blood cell formation.
  
  Low levels of zinc have been linked with decreased immune response. Studies have suggested that this can be reversed by simply taking zinc supplements for several months.
  
  Zinc's role in fighting colds and flu is also becoming very popular. Indeed, when taken at the first symptoms of colds and flu, zinc can shorten the severity and duration of the disease by as much as half!
  
  
• Echinacea Root
  Echinacea is a very popular herbal medicine used to stimulate the immune system cells against infection. Echinacea's health benefits include reducing the symptoms and duration of colds, flu, and sore throats, speeding up wound healing, and building immunity against chronic infections.
  
  
• Garlic
  Besides its use as food, garlic is prized for its medicinal qualities since medieval times. Garlic has as many as 100 different therapeutic sulfur compounds, of which 2 in particular (alliin and allicin) are most important.
  
  Of particular interest for this supplement is garlic's ability to fight cold, flu, sore throat and other infections. This is attributed to the antiseptic and antibacterial properties of its active ingredient.
  
  
• Astragalus
  Astragalus is an ancient Chinese herb, used for thousands of years for its healing powers. Astragalus can help improve our overall health and immunity by helping our body fight off viral and bacterial infections such as flu, colds, and sinus infections.
  
  
• Elderberry Fruit
  Derived from the elder shrub, elderberries are rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, and other plant compounds that can protect against free radical damage, allergies, and viral infections. Elderberry can also help our body produce perspiration and encourage sweating to "break" a fever.
  
  Studies of elderberry fruit preparations suggest that it can kill flu virus in the lab. When given to patients, scientists also confirmed its ability to ward off flu infections quickly.
  
  
• Cayenne Fruit
  Besides its popular use as a spice, cayenne also has other medicinal properties. In addition to its use as a natural painkiller and digestive aid, cayenne can also help fight cold, soothe congestion, and reduce the symptoms of sore throat.
  
  
• Ginger Root
  Ginger root, in addition to its use as a spice, is also used in traditional medicine for treating colds and allergies. Science suggests that ginger's anti-histamine properties and its ability to dilate constricted bronchial tubes can offer relief from various respiratory conditions.
  
  
• Citrus Bioflavonoids
  Bioflavonoids are natural pigments that give citrus their orange and yellow colors. They have a natural antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergy properties that can help our body cope with allergy and respiratory conditions.
  
  
• Licorice Root
  Licorice, with its active ingredient of glycyrrhizin, can help reduce inflammation, enhance immunity, and protect the body against free radical damage.
  
  The immune system boosting properties of licorice comes from its ability to increase the levels of interferon, our body's natural defender against viruses.
  
  Licorice can also help reduce sore throat and other respiratory complains, by easing congestion and coughing, relaxing bronchial spasm, and preventing mucus buildup.
  
  

Select Scientific References

• Murray M. The Pill Book Guide to Natural Medicines. 2002 Bantam Books.
• Mindell E. Vitamin Bible for the 21st Century. 1985 Warner Books
• Block KI and Mead MN. Immune system effects of echinacea, ginseng, and astragalus: a review. Integr Cancer Ther 2003; 2(3):247-67.
• Islam J and Carter R. Use of echinacea in upper respiratory tract infection. South Med J 2005; 98(3):311-8.
• Grzanna R, et al. Ginger - an herbal medicinal product with broad anti-inflammatory actions. J Med Food 2005; 8(2):125-32.
• Zakay Rones Z, et al. Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections. J Int Med Res 2004; 32(2):132-40.
• Ren J and Wang ZG. Pharmacological research on the effect of licorice. J Tradit Chin Med 1988; 8(4):307-9.