Elderberry study - legit or biased?
So I found this study (PMID: 12345678) claiming elderberry extract reduces cold duration by 50%? But it was funded by a supplement company. Seems fishy? What do you guys think? I'm new to this whole natural remedy thing.
Honestly, big pharma funds studies too, and elderberry has been used for centuries. My grandma swore by it. But 50%? That's a lot. Look at the sample size. If it was small, don't trust it. Also check if they used standardized extract. That makes a difference.
Yeah, I've seen that one. The funding doesn't automatically make it biased, but you gotta look at the dose and form. Some studies use syrups with added sugar, which is a no-go for me. I prefer gummies without sugar, like the ones I take. They have 500mg of elderberry per serving. But honestly, for immune support, I stack with zinc and vitamin D.
I don't care about the study, I just use elderberry for my kids when they get the sniffles. I've been up since 3am with a toddler who has a cold. I'd love to see a study on how to get a full night's sleep! But seriously, it seems to help a bit, maybe not 50%. Anything that cuts the misery is worth it.