Wellmune

EAGAN, MN — February 7, 2013 — Wellmune WGP^®, a natural immune health ingredient from Biothera, may help stressed women stay well, according to results of a new study just published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.

The study found that moderately to highly stressed women experienced fewer upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptoms and higher energy levels while taking Wellmune WGP, a functional ingredient in foods, beverages and supplements in more than 50 countries. At 12 weeks, there was a 58% reduction in URTI symptoms among women taking Wellmune. Click here for a link to the abstract.

Wellmune WGP, a baker’s yeast beta glucan, is clinically proven to safely boost the immune system to help keep the body healthy. Numerous peer-reviewed studies demonstrate that Wellmune WGP activates key innate immune cells that are part of the body’s natural defenses without stimulating the immune system.

Study Design and Results

Seventy-seven healthy women (age 38 + 12 yrs) pre-screened for moderate levels of psychological stress were given either a placebo or 250 mg of Wellmune WGP daily for 12 weeks.  Only 10% of the Wellmune group reported upper respiratory tract infection symptoms (sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, and cough) compared with 29% for the control group (p value ≤ 0.05).  In other words, the Wellmune group had a 58% reduction in reported URTI symptoms.

The study used the Profile of Mood States (POMS) psychological survey to assess changes in mental/physical energy levels (Vigor) and overall well-being (Global Mood State).  Vigor improved 41% in women taking Wellmune WGP compared with 7% in the control group (p value <0.05).  Similarly, the Global Mood State of women taking Wellmune improved 29% compared with 16% in the placebo group (p value <0.05).

“This is the first published study exploring the effects of Wellmune WGP on women, a population that arguably faces stressors,” Richard Mueller, chief executive officer, Biothera. “This is actionable information for women who are seeking more and better ways to keep pace with their daily lives.”

“Daily supplementation with Wellmune made a noticeable difference in maintaining health and a positive mental attitude among psychologically stressed women,” said Shawn Talbott, Ph.D., research director at SupplementWatch and lead investigator on the study. “The regimen resulted in reduced incidence of upper respiratory symptoms and improved psychological well being.”

About Wellmune WGP^®

Wellmune WGP is a proprietary baker’s yeast beta 1,3/1,6 glucan that is clinically proven to prime key immune cells that keep the body healthy. This natural food, beverage and supplement ingredient has regulatory approval around the world, including GRAS status in the U.S. and novel foods approval in Europe and China. Wellmune is available in more than 100 products in more than 50 countries around the world. It is also patented, Kosher, Halal, non-allergenic and GMO-free. In addition to receiving an IFT Innovation Award, Wellmune has received a SupplySide West Scientific Excellence Award and a Frost & Sullivan Excellence in Research Award. Wellmune WGP is a product of Biothera, a U.S. biotechnology company dedicated to improving immune health.

Contact:
David Walsh
VP Communications
Biothera, the Immune Health Company
(651) 256-4606 (direct)
dwalsh@biothera.com

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New research published in the prestigious British Journal of Nutrition involving Wellmune WGP® demonstrated that it prevented suppression of the immune system that normally occurs after intense exercise. These results join similar physical stress clinical studies, all finding that Wellmune may help recreational and elite athletes achieve training and performance goals by minimizing the “down time” associated with immune suppression.

In contrast to the placebo group, athletes taking Wellmune had a higher degree of immune support before and after exercise, as measured by monocyte concentrations and certain protective cytokine levels, notes study lead Brian McFarlin, Ph.D., FACSM, Associate Professor of Exercise Physiology, Nutrition and Immunology in the Department of Health and Human Performance at the University of Houston.

More about the study design and results are in the news release and abstract.

EAGAN, MN — April 24, 2012 — Wellmune WGP^® boosted the immune systems of medical students in a new clinical study published in the peer-reviewed journal Nutrition. The research provides further evidence of this natural food, beverage and supplement ingredient’s ability to support the health of people under high stress.

Wellmune WGP is scientifically proven to activate innate immune cells that help keep the body healthy.  Specifically, Wellmune primes neutrophils, the largest population of immune cells in the body and an important part of the body’s natural defenses.  This award-winning functional ingredient is contained in numerous foods, beverages and supplements in more than 30 countries.

“Medical students working long hours in hospitals are placing tremendous stress on their immune systems,” said Richard Fuller, M.D., of The Dove Clinic for Integrated Medicine and principal investigator for the study. “Wellmune WGP activates innate immune cells to help protect against the harmful effects of stress.”

The citation for the paper is:  Fuller R, et al., Influence of yeast-derived 1,3/1,6 glucopolysaccharide on circulating cytokines and chemokines with respect to upper respiratory tract infections. Nutrition (2012), doi: 10/1016/j.nut.2011.11.012. Click here for the abstract.

Study Design & Results

The study was conducted during the peak of the 2010 cold-flu season. During the 90-day, double-blind, placebo-controlled study among 100 healthy medical students, participants taking 250 mgs of Wellmune WGP daily reported 43 fewer days of upper respiratory tract infection symptoms than their classmates who received a placebo. The results are a strong statistical trend (p=0.06). The findings were originally presented at a British Society for Immunology conference in Liverpool, UK, in 2010.

While the authors note that larger studies are needed, results of this study demonstrated that Wellmune WGP provided real immune health benefits to the students. Specifically:

• There was a reduction (18%) in the total number of days with self-reported URTI symptoms in Wellmune WGP group compared to placebo.

• In total, 24 episodes of URTI were medically confirmed, 12 episodes in each group.

• Wellmune WGP did not induce inflammatory cytokines. No cytokine change was seen during symptomatic URTI between study groups.

“The results are consistent with eight other clinical studies regarding the immune support effects of Wellmune WGP,” said Don Cox, Ph.D., senior vice president of research and development at Biothera.

Biothera and its research collaborators have previously conducted clinical studies involving marathon runners, wildland firefighters, women and other individuals with high lifestyle stress. To learn more, go to www.wellmune.com/research/scientific-literature/clinical-research.

About Wellmune WGP^®

Wellmune WGP is a natural beta 1,3/1,6 gluco polysaccharide that is clinically proven to boost key immune cells that keep the body healthy. This unique food, beverage and supplement ingredient has regulatory approval around the world, including GRAS status in the U.S. and novel foods approval in Europe and China.  It is also patented, Kosher, Halal, non-allergenic and GMO-free. In addition to receiving an IFT Innovation Award, Wellmune has received a SupplySide West Scientific Excellence Award and a Frost & Sullivan Excellence in Research Award. Wellmune WGP is a product of Biothera, a U.S. biotechnology company dedicated to improving immune health.