No Jet-Lag®

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Flight Attendants Survey on Jet Lag and No-Jet-Lag

From www.nojetlag.com

A survey was carried out in 1994 among New Zealand based flight attendants regularly flying routes to Asia, the United States and Europe, with the assistance of their union - F.A.R.S.A. They were asked how many suffered from jet lag, what symptoms they suffered, and whether No-Jet-Lag was effective in countering them.

A total of 228 flight attendants completed survey forms, giving the following responses:

-Have you suffered from jet lag while travelling on long distance flights?
Answer = 96% said yes, 4% said no.

Specifically have you suffered from
-Tiredness over the first five days after arrival = 90% yes
-Disorientation = 53% yes
-Dehydration = 73% yes
-Lack of energy and motivation = 94% yes
-Swelling of limbs = 32% yes
-Broken sleep after arrival = 93% yes
-Ear, nose, throat problems, colds or flu = 70% yes

How effective was No-Jet-Lag in countering jet lag symptoms for you?-Very good = 32%
-Good = 43%
-Fair = 23%
-Made no real difference = 2%

Did you find No-Jet-Lag effective in countering tiredness after arrival?

-Yes = 87%, No = 13%

Note: A US based survey found that 94% of long distance travellers suffered from the effects of jet lag and that 45% considered those symptoms severely bothersome.

(Official Journal of the Aerospace Medical Association)
Do professionals get jet lag?
A commentary on Jet Lag

A survey was carried out among New Zealand-based flight attendants regularly flying international passenger routes to Asia, the United States and Europe, to determine how many suffered from jet lag and what symptoms they experienced. The survey was conducted with a view to identifying the symptoms that might most appropriately be targeted by a preparation designed to alleviate jet lag among flight crew.

The survey was carried out by Miers Laboratories, a New Zealand company which designs and markets homeopathic preparations. The questionnaire also invited respondents to comment on the efficacy of a preparation designed to counter jet lag. (This was not a formal trial; results of an independent controlled trial are currently in preparation for publication.)

Jet lag is widely considered to be a curse of modern jet travel, resulting in loss of working efficiency and holiday enjoyment, often for days after arrival at destination.

A number of studies have shown that over 90% of long distance travelers suffer from the effects of jet lag. A major US study of long distance travelers with United Airlines and British Airways found that 94% suffered jet-lag symptoms, and 45% considered their symptoms severely bothersome (2).

An objective of our survey was to ascertain whether airline personnel, who might be expected to have developed an "immunity" to jet lag and to be aware of practical methods to counter some of its effects, suffered the same symptoms as passengers.

Jet lag is typically characterized by a number of well-known symptoms easily recognized by the sufferer. They include:

-Disruption to circadian rhythms caused by crossing time zones, which can result in broken sleep, with the sufferer waking during the night and then wanting to fall asleep during the day. The number of days this dysrhythmia lasts has been observed to be about equal to the number of time zones crossed. A study by Air New Zealand states that passengers crossing 12 times zones on a 26-hour flight require ten days to re-establish a normal sleep pattern (1).

-Fatigue, lasting for days after arrival. This is often accompanied by a lack of concentration and motivation, especially for any activity that requires effort or skill, such as driving, concentrated reading or business negotiation.

-Disorientation and vagueness. Respondents in our survey mentioned, for example, having to return to their hotel room three times to check if they had left the door locked.

In addition to the above symptoms of jet lag proper, the syndrome is made worse by the physical effects of being confined in an airliner for hours:

-Discomfort of legs and feet due to limbs swelling while flying, which in some cases can prevent travellers wearing their normal shoes for up to 24 hours after arrival.

-Dehydration due to the dry atmosphere aboard airliners, which can cause headaches, dry skin and nasal irritation. This in turn can result in a general feeling of unwellness and make the subject more susceptible to colds or other infections.

The World Health Organization also cites jet lag as an aggravating factor in cases of diarrhoea caused by microbiological contamination of water or food, which it believes affects between 20% and 50% of travellers (3).

Since the biggest single cause of jet lag is crossing time zones, which disrupts the body's circadian rhythms, the syndrome is most severely felt when associated with east-west, west-east or transpolar flights. The effects are made worse by variations in atmospheric pressure each time the aircraft takes off and lands, and also by pre-flight stress, tiredness or hangovers. Other factors that appear to exacerbate jet lag include the dryness of the air supply aboard passenger aircraft, the temptation to consume alcohol and to eat more than necessary during flight, and the lack of body movement, especially in the legs and feet.

In our survey of New Zealand-based flight attendants rostered on inter-continental flights, a questionnaire was sent to all long-haul members of their union, the Flight Attendants and Related Services Association, with an explanation of the purposes for which the research was being carried out. Participation was voluntary, and 228 forms were returned. The union facilitated the survey and encouraged members to participate but did not attempt to influence the responses, which were mailed direct to Miers Laboratories for analysis.

In response to the first question, "Have you suffered from jet lag while traveling on long distance flights?" a high 96% said "yes", a result which is in line with responses in surveys of long-haul passengers. This would tend to indicate that being regularly exposed to and trained to cope with the strains of long-haul air travel does not diminish the likelihood of experiencing jet lag. However, the survey did not attempt to quantify the severity of the symptoms of flight crew as compared with passengers.

Flight attendants were then asked whether they commonly experienced specific symptoms of jet lag during and after long-haul flights. Their responses were as follows:

-Tiredness over the first five days after arrival, 90%.
-Interrupted sleep after arrival, 93%.
-Lack of energy and motivation, 94%.
-Disorientation, 53%.
-Dehydration, 73%.
-Swelling of limbs, 32%.
-Ear, nose, throat problems, colds or flu, 70%.

Circadian dysrhythmia is thus experienced by about the same proportion of flying professionals as of passengers. This appears to contradict the often heard claim that frequent travelers develop an ability to overcome this problem.

Another noteworthy finding was that a very high 73% of flight attendants experienced dehydration. Dehydration in flight can be largely countered by regular drinking of water (as distinct from alcohol, coffee, fruit juice, etc), and it appears the flight attendants had either not been told of this in training or were not following recommended practice.

Also surprising was that 32% of flight attendants experienced swelling of limbs, a symptom generally attributed to passenger immobility during long flights. This may indicate that other factors such as changes in air pressure or dehydration contribute to limb swelling.

In answer to the question "how effective was the homeopathic preparation, No-Jet-Lag in countering jet lag symptoms," 75% of the 55 flight attendants who used No-Jet-Lag said it was either good or very good in countering jet lag symptoms.


REFERENCES
1. Petrie K, Conaglen JV, Thompson L, Chamberlain K. Effect of melatonin on jet lag after long haul flights. British Medical Journal 1989; 298:705-707.
2. The Upjohn Company. Tips for Overcoming Jet Lag (leaflet). Kalamazoo, mi: The Upjohn Co., nd.
3. WHO, Geneva. Safe Food for Travellers: WHO's Recommendations (leaflet). 28 June 1994.


Scientific Test of No-Jet-Lag

From www.nojetlag.com

Background and Executive Summary

Considerable research has been conducted into methods of reducing the effects of jet lag on long haul air travelers, including the use of melatonin, special diets and bright light therapy, but most have adverse side effects and/or are complicated to use. A homeopathic remedy, No-Jet-Lag, was developed to counter jet lag, and informal testing and anecdotal reports indicated a significant reduction in the symptoms.

Hypothesis:
That No-Jet-Lag would reduce the symptoms of jet lag when used for long-haul travel. Methods: Nineteen volunteers with previous inter-continental air travel experience were tested in a double blind, placebo controlled crossover trial on a flight from New Zealand to Europe and return (equivalent to travelling round the world), completing survey forms before departure and after arrival on each leg.

Results:
The subjects taking the remedy showed less fatigue-inertia and had more vigor-activity compared to the subjects taking the placebo.

Conclusion:
The homeopathic group remedy, No-Jet-Lag, can reduce jet lag symptoms after long-haul flights.

Introduction
Jet lag symptoms are a common problem for air travelers after long flights especially when passing through several time zones. They are regarded as a significant factor impairing the post-flight performance of business travelers, sports competitors and general users of long-distance air transport. Jet lag is attributed primarily to the body's need to resynchronize its endogenous circadian rhythm to the night and day cycle of the new environment. Other factors however are also believed to exacerbate the symptoms of jet lag. These include the traveler being tired, stressed, ill or hung-over at the start of the journey; the dryness and sometimes the staleness and lack of air in aircraft passenger cabins; alcohol consumption, which can exacerbate dehydration; restricted physical mobility during the flight; and pressure changes associated with the rapid climb to and descent from cruising altitudes of around 30,000 feet, which are not fully compensated even in pressurized aircraft.

Melatonin has been trialed many times and has been found to be successful in alleviating jet lag (3), but long term side affects are a concern and yet to be established. In some countries including the European Community, Canada and Australia, such concerns have led to the status of melatonin being changed from over-the-counter to prescription only sale. In the USA, melatonin remains freely available. The dosage is complicated, with subjects taking melatonin for several days before the flight and again for several days after the flight is completed. Timing of the dose has been found to be crucial, and incorrect use can result in jet lag being made worse rather than better. One group which started using melatonin after returning home from a nine-day tour of duty reported significantly less jet lag and sleep disturbance during the recovery period than a placebo group, but another group starting melatonin before arrival home made a worse recovery than the placebo group, reporting more jet lag and fatigue symptoms (4). Some reports indicate that users who forgot to take melatonin on the third night after returning home found jet lag symptoms returning the following day.

Bright light therapy is another approach to the problem of jet lag, but as with melatonin, the treatment is complicated. Eastward travel requires exposure to bright light early in the day after arrival and westward travel requires exposure to bright light at the end of the day (5). The light intensity required is 3,000 lux which is available outside in warm climates but not in colder climates or for those who are restricted to other activities (6). A solution to the lack of bright outdoor light is the use of light boxes. These range in price from US$40 to US$400 and usually weigh about 10lbs, making treatment by light boxes both expensive and inconvenient.

Another method is the anti jet lag diet. Like Melatonin this is only for people with lots of time on their hands who can devote several days before and after a trip to looking after themselves. It is complicated and there is little evidence that it works, although it has some passionate devotees.

The impracticalities, complexities and expense of the above treatments suggest the need for other approaches to the problem of jet lag. The homeopathic approach was adopted because of the simplicity and effectiveness of the dosage regimen and the lack of toxic side effects.

Methods
The trial was designed to investigate the effects of No-Jet-Lag during and after a group's flight from Auckland, New Zealand, to Frankfurt, Germany, and return, in such a way that feelings of jet lag and mood could be closely monitored for seven days after each part of the trip.

Subjects completed a Profile of Mood States questionnaire designed to measure six fluctuating affective states, two of which were relevant to jet lag, namely, vigor-activity and fatigue-inertia. They were asked other questions on how anxious and energetic they felt. In addition a self-evaluation questionnaire was used to study issues related to jet lag such as stress, nervousness, confusion, calmness and self confidence. These questionnaires were filled in two hours prior to departure, and again the day after arrival at both Frankfurt and Auckland, and finally seven days after arrival at both destinations. Subjects were also encouraged to make any comments they thought might be useful to the outcome of the trial.

All participants were seasoned travelers with experience of long inter-continental flights through at least five time zones, and were in good health. The group consisted of proficient skiers who had previously traveled from New Zealand to North American and European ski fields, and this was their annual trip to Europe to ski and buy equipment. Having a level of fitness higher than that of average travelers, they were possibly able to resist the effects of jet lag better than most.

The subjects flew from Auckland to Frankfurt in an eastward direction through 12 time zones on a 23-hour flight, returning on a similar flight of 25 hours westwards 16 days later. The subjects were randomly assigned in a double blind procedure to receive No-Jet-Lag or the placebo on the outward flight and the other substance on the return journey. Each subject received one bottle of tablets in Auckland and the other bottle before departure in Frankfurt for the return journey. Each bottle was labeled with either a "M" or "F" for gender identification and a three digit code. These same codes were placed on each sheet of the questionnaire. The subjects chewed one tablet on takeoff, one tablet every three hours while flying and one tablet after landing.

No-Jet-Lag is manufactured according to guidelines of the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States of America (HPUS), under GMP conditions.

Statistics
The POMS, a profile of moods states questionnaire designed to measure six fluctuating affective states, was used in the trial. Two of the POMS scales are considered relevant to jet lag, namely vigor-activity and fatigue-inertia (7). Individual scale items were summed using standard procedures, and the data were analyzed with the statistical package for the social sciences, SPSS (8), with one-way analyses of variance and t tests.

Results
The data showed mean fatigue inertia scores (Fig. 1) were consistently higher in subjects taking placebos than in subjects taking the remedy (9.47 vs 5.63; p = 0.026). The mean vigor activity (Fig. 2) was also lower in subjects taking the placebo than in subjects taking the remedy (18.11 vs 21.16; p = 0.072). For all of the other states measured the p value was greater than 0.05.

No-Jet-Lag reduces fatigue/tiredness and increases energy/vigor compared with taking a placebo or not using any treatment when flying long distances.
Analysis of the survey forms completed after each leg showed subjects taking No-Jet-Lag experienced less jet lag and took less time to recover from their shift across 12 time zones.

Those taking No-Jet-Lag slept without interruption on the first night after arrival and woke up the next morning refreshed and feeling quite normal, whereas those who took the placebo did not sleep well, woke up at strange times in the night and had difficulty getting back to sleep and woke up the next morning feeling jet lagged. The difference was also borne out by their skiing performance after arrival. Those who had taken the remedy reported skiing well, while those who had taken the placebo were still tired and skied poorly the first day and even during later sessions on the slopes. When asked if they knew whether they had taken the remedy or the placebo, they said that at the time of arrival in Germany the whole party all felt very tired but most were already fairly sure which treatment they had taken. By the next day when they had been skiing it was increasingly obvious which treatment they had taken. The consensus view by those taking No-Jet-Lag was that they were skiing as well as they would have on a local ski field at home, apart from slight tiredness. Those skiers who took the placebo took several days to return to their usual skiing ability.

After the trial was completed, subjects were asked if they thought No-Jet-Lag was effective in treating jet lag. Of the 19 who completed the trial, 14 (74%) said it was effective, five said they were not sure, and none said it was not effective. Those who were not sure said they thought that No-Jet-Lag had helped, but were not certain it was completely effective in treating jet lag. Overall those who used No-Jet-Lag said they skied to their usual level and felt normal, while those taking the placebo said their skiing ability had dropped and they felt jet lagged. On the outward journey, of the 19 taking part 13 (68%) correctly guessed whether they had taken the placebo or No-Jet-Lag. Of the others, three did not know and three incorrectly assigned themselves to the wrong group.
On the return journey, two were incorrect, three did not know and 14 (74%) correctly guessed. By comparison, a trial of Melatonin (2) involving 17 travelers showed that on the outward leg nine did not know, six guessed incorrectly and five guessed correctly, while on the return leg five did not know, six were incorrect and nine were correct. Subjects in the No-Jet-Lag trial were asked to comment on any side effects or difficulties in taking either the placebo or the remedy. No difficulties or side effects were reported. This result was as expected, as there are no reported side effects of the ingredients in either the placebo or No-Jet-Lag.

The tour leader reported that in conversation with subjects at the time of completion of the last questionnaire, several commented that they had noticed when using No-Jet-Lag that they experienced less swelling of lower limbs, found it easier to sleep in flight and a lack of disrupted sleep in the days after arrival. These effects were not specifically tested for in the trial and warrant further tests.

The results of this study support the use of No-Jet-Lag as a remedy for jet lag symptoms on long haul flights. These results were consistent with those from informal testing of No-Jet-Lag carried out since 1988, including a survey of 55 flight attendants on routes between New Zealand and Asia, North America and Europe, which showed 75% considered the remedy effective (1).

The lack of any adverse side effects in subjects taking No-Jet-Lag suggests it is well tolerated at the dose used. Further trials are suggested to specifically test individual factors that may or may not contribute to jet lag, for example the amount of water and alcohol drunk (as dehydration is suspected of being a factor in jet lag). In such further trials the amount of non alcoholic and alcoholic fluids should be carefully monitored and possibly controlled to remove this factor. It is possible that the results in our trial might have been different had we used subjects with only an average level of fitness rather than the higher level possessed by those doing the trial, although we have no reason to believe this would be so.

Author:

Professor K. Kumar Ph.D.
Professor of Biopharmaceutics/Pharmacokinetics
Howard University, College of Pharmacy
Washington D.C. 20059
United States of America

References:

1. Miers Laboratories, Do flight professionals get jet lag? Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine. Page 810, Number 8, Volume 69, August 1998.
2. Recht LD; Lew RA; Schwartz. A letter, Baseball teams beaten by jet lag. Nature, 377 (6550): 583 1995 Oct 19.
3. Petrie K, Conaglen JV, Thompson L, Chamberlain K. Effect of melatonin on jet lag after long haul flights. Br Med J 1989; 298, 705-707.
4. Petrie K, Dawson AG, Thompson L, Brook R. A double-blind trial of melatonin as a treatment for jet lag in international cabin crew. Biol Psychiatry 1993; 33:526-530.
5. Daan S, Lewy AJ. Scheduled exposure to daylight; a potential strategy to reduce jet lag following transmeridian flight. Psychopharmacol Bull 1984; 20:566-568.
6. Wever RA. Light effects on human circadian rhythms: A review of Andechs studies. J. Biol Rhythms 1989;4:161-185.
7. McNair DM, Lorr M, Droppleman LF, Edits manual for the profile of mood states. San Diego: EDITS, 1981.
8. SPSS Incorporated. Users guide to statistical package for the social sciences - X. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1983.

Tech Specs:

No-Jet-Lag is available in 32-tablet strip packet and is manufactured in accordance with WHO good manufacturing practice with 6-monthly audits by a regulatory government department.

No-Jet-Lag is manufactured according to the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, (HPUS).

No-Jet-Lag is listed with the FDA for over the counter sales in the United States of America. The National Drug Code for No-Jet-Lag is 059672-0130-4 and barcode is 750980001305.

Each 340mg tablet contains five homeopathic remedies effective in countering the effects of jet lag. Each pack contains enough tablets for an average round-the-world itinerary. (50 hours of flying)

Indications

Jet lag is a complex condition which occurs when flying long distances. The main, but not the only cause, is crossing time zones, which causes circadian dysrhythmia. Other causes are dehydration and problems from pressurized cabins (pressure equivalent to 8,000 feet), lack of fresh air, lack of exercise and loss of quality sleep.

Dosage

One tablet of No-Jet-Lag should be taken at the time of each take-off, another every two hours in flight, and another after each landing (including at intermediate stops). During long flights, the two-hour intervals may be extended if the user is sleeping.

Warnings and precautions

No-Jet-Lag can be used by travellers of all ages. If a user already suffers from a major medical problem, normal caution should be exercised in flying on long journeys. If after arrival the symptoms of jet lag continue, professional help should be sought. No-Jet-Lag does not counter the effects of existing medical disorders when travelling by air, or the effects of alcohol or general exhaustion.

Flying while Pregnant

If possible flying while pregnant should be avoided. Pregnancy creates extra fluid and changes to this extra fluid while flying can make the pregnant traveler uncomfortable. Reports from pregnant travelers suggest these changes can be so severe they think something major is wrong and sometimes it is. Because of the very small concentration of ingredients in No-Jet-Lag it is safe to use while pregnant when flying internationally.

Dosage for Children

Children under three years do not suffer from jet lag, but they need plenty of fluid frequently to reduce dehydration. Irritability is one of the leading symptoms of jet lag and for children aged between 4-12 years one tablet every four hours is suitable. (Compared with the adult dose of one tablet every two hours.)

Interactions

No-Jet-Lag may be taken with any other medication. Like other homeopathic remedies, No-Jet-Lag is most effective when taken separately from food and drink, but has been specially formulated so that it may if necessary be taken in association with food and/or drink, i.e. coffee.

Adverse Effects

With the minute doses involved there is little possibility of adverse effects. There has never been any recorded adverse effect from homeopathic remedies above 12C. All remedies used in No-Jet-Lag are 30C, well above the 12C limit.

Overdosage

Should a client take more No-Jet-Lag than recommended, no harmful side effects should be expected, owing to the minute dilutions of active ingredients employed in homeopathic preparations.

X-Rays, coffee, mint and homeopathic products

Some poorly manufactured homeopathic products are harmed by exposure to x-rays, coffee or aromatic products like mint. No-Jet-Lag does not fit into this category. It has been robustly manufactured to ensure that it is effective when exposed to either x-rays or coffee or mint. This was proven during the scientific trial which showed No-Jet-Lag effective in combating jet lag. No-Jet-Lag was exposed to x-rays during the trip and the trialists drank coffee while flying during the trial.

Active Ingredients

The five homeopathic remedies listed below are the active ingredients in No-Jet-Lag.

Arnica, extracted from Arnica Montana (leopard's bane). In No-Jet-Lag Arnica is used to alleviate injuries, strains, tension, over-exertion, mental strain and shock, sleeplessness and restlessness when over-tired.

Proper Name: Arnica Montana (Asteraceae/Compositae)
Common Names: Leopard's bane, Wolf's Bane, Mountain tobacco and Sneezewort.
Source: Grows in the mountains of Europe and Siberia.
Parts used: Whole plant when in flower.

What Arnica is used for:

According to, "The Complete Guide to Homeopathy" by Lockie and Geddes, Arnica is
1. An excellent first aid remedy, for phyical and emotional shock and injuries.
2. Given internally it promotes healing of damaged tissues and helps control bleeding.
3. Good remedy for joint and muscle problems from either injuries or excessive exercise.

A legend goes that mountain climbers used to chew the fresh plant to relieve sore, aching muscles and brusies from falls. Well they may have but according to the book "Herbal Medicines," by Newall, Anderson and Phillipson, Arnica should not be taken internally except in suitable homeopathic dilutions! In No-Jet-Lag Arnica is in a suitable homeopathic dilution.

Bellis Perennis, extracted from the common daisy.
- Used to alleviate muscular soreness,
- venous congestion, due to mechanical causes (eg sitting without frequent exercise),
- problems from waking mid-sleep and sleep interruptions.

Proper Name: Bellis Perennis.
Common Names: European Daisy, Bruisewort.
Source: Grows throughout Europe and in eastern parts of the US.
Parts used: Fresh plant in flower.

Chamomilla, extracted from German chamomile.
- Used to alleviate emotional and mental stress,
- sleeplessness,
- impatience,
- intolerance and disorientation.

Proper Name: Matricaria Recutita (Asteraceae/Compositae)
Common Names: German or Hungarian chamomile, rauschert.
Source: Grows in Europe and the US.
Parts used: Juice expressed from the whole, fresh plant in flower.

Ipecacuanha, extracted from the root of ipecac (a South American shrub).
- Used to alleviate dehydration,
- irritability in chest and stomach,
- nausea.

Proper Name: Cephaelis ipecacuanha
Common Names: Ipecacuanha.
Source: Grows in the tropical rain forest of south and central america.
Parts used: Dried root.

Lycopodium, extracted from club moss.
- Used to alleviate anxiety,
- anticipatory fears,
- apprehension,
- over-sensitivity,
- inability to adapt to new surroundings.

Proper Name: Lycopodium clavatum
Common Names: Wolfsclaw, club moss, running pine, stag's horn moss.
Source: Native to mountains and forests in the northern hemisphere.
Parts used: Spores and pollen dust.

Inactive Ingredients

The three substances listed below are the inactive ingredients in No-Jet-Lag.

Sorbitol, is a tabletting agent. GRAS, generally recognised as safe. Used in every day items like biscuits and jams and especially diabetic jams. Tastes like sugar.

Magnesium stearate - E470b - is a separating agent. GRAS, generally recognised as safe. Used frequently in tablets. No distinctive taste.
The source of the Magnesium Stearate is vegetable, not animal

Sterilized talc - E553b - is a lubricating agent. GRAS, generally recognised as safe. Used frequently in tablets. No distinctive taste.

No-Jet-Lag does not contain any of the following substances:
Yeasts
Sucrose
Starch
Lactose
Salt
Wheat
Gluten
Artificial colourings
Artificial flavourings
Preservatives
Dairy Products
Animal products
Fish or fish bi-products
Any ingredient known to cause allergies
Melatonin or any other hormone

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