This study was conducted to investigate the effects of daily supplementation of GS-3K8 or GINst15 on acute respiratory illness (ARI) in healthy subjects.

This study was a 8 weeks, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Forty five subjects were randomly divided into GS-3K8 (Ultrafiltered red ginseng extract) or GINst15 (Hydrolyzed ginseng extract) or placebo group. The primary clinical outcome measure was the incidence of ARI. The secondary clinical outcome measure was the development and duration of ARI symptoms.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 39-65 years with healthy adults

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects had been vaccinated against influenza in the previous 6 months
• Subjects with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection
• Subjects with acute/chronic disease
• History of alcohol or substance abuse
• History of disease that could interfere with the test products or impede their absorption
• Subjects taking medications such as immune or upper respiratory tract infection related drug or functional foods
• Abnormal liver or kidney function tests
• Pregnant or lactating women and heavy smokers
• Being judged by the responsible physician of the local study center as unfit to participate in the study