Taking a Long Trip? Try a Spritz of Seaweed | Pharmacy ITK
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Taking a Long Trip? Try a Spritz of Seaweed

Did you know… 57% of people reported catching a cold or flu after travelling on a plane or on public transport for prolonged periods, according to a health and travel survey last year1?

Almost 60% of people take precautions such as taking vitamins, hydrating regularly or using a throat or nasal spray in attempts to prevent catching colds after a flight, the same survey reported.

Most people blame fellow passengers and the air on-board, but this is unlikely; as an Aircraft filtration systems are actually quite efficient at keeping travellers safe from airborne bugs2. Few people are aware that they are more likely to pick up an infection after disembarking – in environments without effective filtration systems but with air-conditioning and low humidity, e.g. airport, or a coach, taxi, or hotel.

“It’s due to the mucus in the nose drying out. The dryer a person’s nasal mucus lining becomes, the weaker it becomes against airborne viruses and bacteria. Lower humidity also causes mucus transport to slow down which means these unwanted micro-organisms may remain in the airways for longer.” explains Sam Barbalatt, Co-Founder of ENT Technologies, a leading sinus and nasal technology business.

A healthy, moist nasal mucus lining is needed to support a person’s immunity against inhaled bacteria, cold viruses and irritants. A Carrageenan (Red Seaweed extract) nasal spray could be the answer for many travellers, because according to research published late last year it:

  • Helps hydrate and moisturise the nasal passages3
  • May shorten the duration of colds symptoms3
  • Has good patient tolerability4

Barbalatt found the evidence compelling and as a result, ENT Technologies launched Australia’s first Red Seaweed nasal spray, Flo Travel to leading pharmacies this year. He says, “Using a Carrageenan-based nasal spray is a positive step to supporting immunity because it works by binding to the nasal tissue, it retains moisture in the nose and provides a protective barrier against airborne micro-organisms.”

For further clinical information on how Carrageenan (Red Seaweed extract) reduces exposure to colds and airborne viruses, contact Sam Barbalatt or Debbie Clemens on 03 9832 3700.

 


References:
1. Health On The Go, ENT Technologies Survey, October 2015.
2. Cabin air filtration: helping to protect occupants from infectious diseases. Bull, K. Travel Med. Infectious Diseases 2008. Vol 66 pp142-144.
2. Eccles et al. Efficacy of an antiviral Iota-Carrageenan nasal spray; a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled exploratory study in volunteers with early symptoms of the common cold. Respiratory research 2010; 11:108.
3(i) Airway Mucociliary function at high altitude. Rodway G et al. Wilderness and Environmental Med(2006) Vol 17 pp 271-275 (ii) Nasal mucociliary transport in healthy subjects is slower when breathing dry air. Salah B et al. European Respiratory Journal 1988 Vol(1) 852-855 3 (iii) Physiological and Subjective responses to low relative humidity in young and elderly men. Sunwoo Y et al. Journal of Physiological Anthropology (2006) Vol 25(3) pp 229-2384. e
4. Jingjing Liu et al, Review for carrageenan-based pharmaceutical biomaterials: Favourable physical features versus adverse biological effects. Elsevier Journal, 2015.

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