Efficacy of Transfer Factor to Prevent Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Healthy Adults

A Double Blind Study on the Efficacy of a Colostrum and Egg Yolk Supplement vs. Placebo to Reduce Frequency and Duration of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Healthy Adults

The goals of our study are to critically evaluate if a healthy population supplemented with Transfer factor experiences fewer incidences of colds and flu, or experience shorter duration of illness compared to an identical population taking placebo. In this study we will give either Transfer factor or a placebo to two groups of healthy adult men and women for a period of 7 weeks in a double-blind experimental design. The frequency and duration of colds and flu-like symptoms will be recorded during the course of the study. Saliva samples will be collected weekly and assessed for salivary IgA secretion rate. Data from this study will establish the efficacy of Transfer Factor to support a healthy immune system.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Upper Respiratory Tract Infections Due to Influenza or Rhinovirus
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: transfer factor; Dietary supplement: Placebo

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 49
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Utah
    • Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, 84112
      • University of Utah

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 40 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Males and females (18 - 40) who are in good health

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects who are allergic to eggs (on which the supplement is based). If a volunteer is not sure if they are allergic to eggs or milk. Those who are currently smoking, have cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, liver disease, renal insufficiency, any chronic disease that might interfere with study participation, BMI above 40 kg/m2, consumption of >12 alcoholic drinks weekly, or unwillingness to stop current supplement intake. Women who are pregnant or lactating will also be excluded from the study.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Placebo Comparator: Sugar pill	Dietary supplement: Placebo; cornstarch, 2 capsules per day by mouth.
Active Comparator: Transfer Factor; Transfer factor supplement; 2 capsules per day	Dietary supplement: transfer factor; capsules, 2 per day by mouth for 7 weeks.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Utah

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: January 1, 2010
• Primary Completion (Actual): March 1, 2010
• Study Completion (Actual): March 1, 2010

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 15, 2010
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 15, 2010
• First Posted (Estimated): April 19, 2010

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 25, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 20, 2025
• Last Verified: November 1, 2011

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Disease Attributes; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Infections; Communicable Diseases; Respiratory Tract Infections
• Other Study ID Numbers: 38766 4Life-Transfer Factor