A new study appears to validate a ginseng-based remedy that claims to cut down on colds.

Terry O'Neill is one fan of the product, known as COLD-fX. As a parent, he used to catch all the colds his kids brought home from school.

He was a participant in the review of COLD-fX. "Last year, I had no colds at all, and the symptoms I had lasted maybe 12 hours," he said.

The product was put through a test -- the first to be completed under Health Canada's new Natural Health Products Directorate. The results have been submitted, but have not been reviewed by the directorate.

It took a year to complete the study, which was led by scientists associated with the University of Alberta. Actually, the makers of COLD-fX are also associated with the University of Alberta.

There were 323 adults in the study. They ranged in age from 18 to 65 and had a history of at least two "upper respiratory infections" (i.e. colds) in the past year.

They were instructed to take two capsules per day of either COLD-fX or a placebo during a four-month period during the winter of 2003-04.

Neither the investigators nor the participants knew who was taking what.

"There was a percentage reduction in the number of colds we saw in the treatment group, so that is some good news," said Dr. Gerry Predy, Edmonton's medical officer of health.

Users got 26 per cent fewer colds than those who didn't use COLD-fX. Those who did get a cold were 56 per cent less likely to get a second one.

"The science is everything for the long-term success of a consumer-based health product," said Dr. Jacqueline Shan, CEO of CV Technologies and co-discoverer of COLD-fX.

Health Canada says it wanted to encourage that type of clinical research when it set up the regulations.

As a result, manufacturers wanted to make health claims about their products must conduct a study to back them up.

Many small companies say such clinical trials are too expensive for them. But the regulation's critics say this study is good for natural health products.

"It gives the industry credibility for these products," said Croft Woodruff, a past-president of the Canadian Health Food Association.

"With science backing it, it makes it easy for me to say, 'Take this: It will help you and won't harm you,'" said Graham Rynbend, head trainer for the NHL's Montreal Canadiens.

With a report from CTV's Genevieve Beauchemin