Wellmune

Our team is preparing to travel to Vitafoods Europe in Geneva, Switzerland, next week. The timing couldn’t be better given the breaking news that Wellmune WGP is approved as a novel food in the EU, opening the door for broadscale incorporation of Wellmune in food and beverage products.

One year ago, the European Food Safety Authority issued a positive scientific opinion on Wellmune as a novel food.

We have two European distributors. Immetec is our primary distributor with the exception of Italy where our distributor is DKSH. According to Jan Oddvar Johansen, Immitec chairman, “Wellmune WGP is finally ‘ready to go’ in the European Union. The food and beverage industry has an unprecedented chance to capitalize on the commercial potential of introducing Wellmune to a market of savvy, increasingly health conscious consumers.”

He added, “The fact that Wellmune WGP will finally be available in Europe should transform the way in which governments, business and consumers approach preventative health. Make no mistake, this breakthrough could dwarf the impact that Omega 3 had several years ago.”

If you’re attending Vitafoods, be sure to visit Immitec at stand 1239 for more information. Several Wellmune experts from Biothera will be attending as well and we’re eagerly awaiting the NBT 2012 awards ceremony, as Wellmune is a named a finalist in the R&D category!

EAGAN, MN — April 24, 2012 — Fourth-year medical students at Southampton University Medical School taking Wellmune WGP^®, a natural immune health ingredient, for 90 days reported fewer days of cold/flu symptoms than their placebo-consuming classmates, according to a paper published online in the June issue of the peer-reviewed journal Nutrition.

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.

The article notes that upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is the most frequent infectious disease in humans, with an average of two to four episodes per year in adulthood and 6 to 10 episodes per year in childhood.  The economic impact of the common cold is significant, costing an estimated $40 billion annually in the U.S. alone, with approximately 500 million non-influenza-related URTI episodes annually.

“Strategies to decrease the frequency and severity of URTI symptoms…would have a highly beneficial impact on health and socioeconomic performance,” said Richard Fuller, M.D. of The Dove Clinic for Integrated Medicine and principal investigator for the study. “Wellmune WGP activates innate immune cells, the body’s first line of defense, which helped students become more resilient to health challenges.”

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 URTI 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 prime 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.

EAGAN, MN – March 5, 2012 – MonaVie, a leading product innovator in the health and wellness category, has selected Wellmune WGP^®, the natural immune health ingredient from Biothera, for its newest health juice, Monavie MX™. The introduction builds upon MonaVie’s product family of ready-to-drink beverages, sachets and shots that include Wellmune WGP.

Wellmune WGP is clinically proven to safely prime the immune system to keep the body healthy. Numerous peer-reviewed studies demonstrate that Wellmune WGP mobilizes billions of innate immune cells that are part of the body’s natural defenses without over stimulating the immune system.

“We are gratified that MonaVie has chosen to expand its offering of good-for-you beverages with Wellmune WGP. The line extension underscores both market acceptance of products with Wellmune as an ingredient and its flexibility to meet a range of formulation requirements,” said Rich Mueller, Biothera president and chief executive officer.

Described as offering a powerful punch of antioxidants, including 19 fruits and 11 vegetables, MonaVie MX is formulated with MonaVie BioEssence™ technology, which provides greater bioavailability, and features AçaVie™, the most potent form of açai available.

“MonaVie MX is the ultimate juice blend,” said Shawn Talbott, PhD, and MonaVie’s vice president of product research and development. “It synergistically combines the immunity-strengthening defense of Wellmune with scientifically validated glucosamine to increase joint mobility and a broad array of powerful antioxidants. This triple combination of health benefits helps safeguard the body against potentially harmful microorganisms, promotes joint health and fights oxidative damage and aging.”

Mueller added, “As consumers look for more ways to support their health and vitality, the broader availability of clinically proven Wellmune WGP in brands they trust offers peace of mind and worry-free convenience that contributes to healthy habits for a lifetime.”

About Wellmune WGP

Wellmune WGP is a natural carbohydrate that is clinically proven to prime key immune cells that keep the body healthy. This unique food, beverage and supplement ingredient is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) under U.S. FDA regulations. It is also patented, Kosher, Halal, non-allergenic and GMO-free. The ingredient is a recipient of an IFT Innovation 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.

About MonaVie

MonaVie is a leading product innovator in the health and wellness category. Starting with the açai berry, MonaVie has fulfilled its mission to bring the rarest and most efficacious nutritional products to a global market. Its reputation as an innovative leader has been confirmed again with the introduction of its revolutionary new product philosophy, MonaVie Nutritional Chemistry™, that delivers custom nutrition to meet an individual’s unique nutritional needs in an easy-to-use delivery system. Learn more about MonaVie at www.monavie.com.

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When Lagos, Nigeria-based Bolar Pharmaceuticals Ltd. introduced Immiflex, which contains Wellmune WGP, public health officials took notice. Nigeria, the largest country in Africa, faces an ongoing health crisis, with a life expectancy of just 54 versus the global average of 68, according to the World Health Organization. Mortality rates are higher than average for the youngest Nigerians as well, with 138 deaths per 1,000 for children under 5 versus 60 deaths per 1,000 globally. Like many other Third-World countries, those in Nigeria’s rural areas and those at the lower end of the socioeconomic spectrum are particularly at risk.

Where do Immiflex and Wellmune fit in? Nigeria has a bold public health vision: to save one million lives and improve the quality of care. One of the four pillars of the initiative is an emphasis on healthy living and disease prevention. Because Wellmune primes the innate immune cells that help keep the body healthy, it attracted attention as a functional ingredient. Wellmune can help mobilize the body’s natural defenses, strengthening the immune system, the foundation of health and wellness.

On hand for the launch of Immiflex was Dr. Enabulele, Head of the Wellness Programme at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, on behalf of the hospital’s Chief Medical Director D A A Oke. The Special Guest of Honour was The Special Adviser on Health to the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Yewande Adesina. The event host was Bolade A. Soremekun, M.D. and CEO, Bolar Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

If you’ve got kids, you know that frequent sniffles and coughs go with the territory. The average preschooler brings home around nine colds each year. Kindergarteners have around 12 colds per year. While you can’t (and shouldn’t) protect your child from every bug they encounter, there are things you can do to reduce the number of infections they get every year.

Our moms gave us temporary defenses

We don’t come into this world with a fully developed immune system. Antibodies passed on through a mother’s placenta protect newborns. That protection gradually fades away as the baby’s own immune system develops. Each time we’re exposed to a new bacteria or virus, our bodies create antibodies to fight it off. The next time it tries to invade our bodies, the antibodies are already in our arsenal. Simply put: exposure to germs primes their immune system.

Hello daycare, hello runny noses

Preschool-aged children who attend daycare tend to get more colds than those who spend their first years at home. However by catching cold more often, they also are developing stronger immune systems. So by the time they start school, they tend to have fewer sick days than their classmates who stayed at home and who weren’t exposed to as many cold viruses.

There are healthy steps you can take to help your kids build strong immune systems

• Consider breast-feeding your baby. Breast milk is like a supersized serving of antibodies that help to protect against everything from ear infections, respiratory tract infections and allergies to diabetes. Some studies cited by the American Academy of Pediatrics indicate it may also reduce the risk of infant mortality.

• Feed your children foods that will help them fight off germs. Some foods, including colorful fruits and vegetables, contain phytonutrients which help keep children healthier overall. These include pink grapefruit, carrots, tomatoes, green beans, oranges, blueberries, strawberries and papaya. In contrast, diets rich in sugars may actually reduce a child’s immunity.

• Get your children all of their recommended vaccinations. Childhood vaccinations save lives. For example in 1994, a year before the chickenpox vaccine was available, the disease killed 100 children and hospitalized 10,000 annually. Today, unvaccinated children are nine times as likely as others to contract chickenpox, according to a study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. Unvaccinated kids also are 23 times more likely to catch whooping cough. If you have concerns about vaccinations, have a talk with your pediatrician. The risk that comes from contracting these diseases is often far greater than any risks that come from the vaccines. For a current childhood vaccination schedule, visit the Centers for Disease Control website.

• Be consistent about naps and bed times. Studies show that lack of sleep can make children more susceptible to diseases by reducing their natural immune cells. Newborns need up to 18 hours of sleep, toddlers need nine to 14 hours, and children ages 5-12 need 10-11 hours per night.

• Follow your pediatrician’s advice regarding antibiotics. It’s not a good idea to insist that your child’s doctor write a prescription for antibiotics each time your child has a cold or sore throat. Antibiotics can only treat bacteria, not viruses. Overuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistant bacteria. As a result, simple things such as ear infections or upper respiratory infections may become stubbornly resistant to a cure. So use antibiotics only when recommended, and be sure your child finishes the entire prescription even if he or she starts to feel substantially better.

Taking steps to help build your child’s immune system may result in fewer sick days and fewer visits to the doctor and pharmacy.

Did you know that holiday festivities, culminating with that traditional New Year’s Eve bash, could be lowering your immune system? That might be why so many people catch colds right after the holidays. Here are a few steps to help keep your immune system healthy as the season of parties, little sleep and overindulgence gives way to the season brimming with health-related resolutions.

1. Fats and germs don’t mix. If you’re like most people, the fatty foods you’ve been indulging in since Thanksgiving may lead to a case of the sniffles. Being in closed-in spaces this time of year puts us in contact with more germs. Our bodies go into overdrive if they’re busy busting fat and diverted from busting germs.

Don’t Tip Your Hat to Fat

• Start each day with a nutritious breakfast. If your choices are limited, eat half of the oversized muffin and opt for a skim versus full-fat latte.

• After a night of restful repair, give your body the fuel it needs to run like a well-tuned machine.

• Choose an indulgence at each meal – not all of them – and stop before you feel full. That means mashed potatoes or pecan pie.

• Don’t arrive at the party hungry or skip meals and “bank” calories earlier in the day. A high-fiber snack like an apple or fresh veggies before the festivities begin will help you focus on people first, then food.

2. Champagne at midnight … coughing a week later?  This time of year, most of us are go, go, GO!  Throw travel germs in the mix and it’s a recipe for a cold. Champagne at midnight and alcoholic beverages can interfere with sleep. Coffee or soda in the afternoon may also. Don’t overlook the beverage choices you make or you’ll be up all night thinking of them! Resume your normal nighttime habits on New Year’s Day to get your body back to getting the restful sleep it needs to recover and restore stamina for a healthy immune system.

Drink Up These Tips

• Everything in moderation. More alcohol could result in less refreshing sleep.

• Know your body and how it will react to coffee and cola. For some, it’s hands off after lunchtime to help ensure restful sleep at night.

• Try another way to get a second wind such a quick shower or a brisk walk. Even a short nap is a great pick-me-up.

• Stay hydrated with water before you’re thirsty. It’s a healthy choice and will also help you feel full.

Eating right and making smart beverage choices– there’s no better toast to your immune system and healthy habits like these are resolutions worth keeping!

Thank you Better Nutrition for highlighting Wellmune WGP in your November 2011 issue. We were thrilled with this article, which focuses on natural ways to boost your immune system – just in time for cold and flu season. Wellmune WGP was the only ingredient mentioned by brand name.

This article mentions studies published in the Journal of Applied Research. One such randomized, placebo-controlled study, of 40 healthy adults over a 12-week period during cold and flu season, found that Wellmune WGP may reduce the severity of your cold and flu symptoms even if you do get sick. In this study, none of those in the Wellmune group missed work or school due to colds. Meanwhile, the people with colds in the placebo group missed an average of 1.38 days.

That’s the kind of welcome news we like to hear this time of year!

What you eat can be responsible for contributing to, or helping to prevent, health problems. But some foods may cause intolerance or allergic responses. You also want to avoid most processed foods, such as cereals, because they typically contain excess amounts of sugar and salt. Some also contain preservatives, such as sulphates, that may negatively impact the immune system. And try to stay away from foods that are high in fat – particularly saturated fats – and cholesterol, as well as low density foods (sometimes called “empty calories”).

Just as you might think about eating better and choosing ingredients to prevent serious diseases, you may also rely on good nutrition and healthful products to reduce your risk of getting miserable coughs, sore throats and fevers associated with cold and flu.

Your immune system’s innate response is your body’s generic first line of defense against germs. Here are some simple suggestions for getting your immune system’s innate response in the best possible shape to fight off any germs that might come your way.

1. First, do no harm. Smoking, alcohol and a sedentary lifestyle may actually weaken your immune system’s innate response.

2. When you feel stressed, avoid the urge to reach for something that will stimulate your immune system. An out-of-balance immune system – including one that is constantly stimulated — can lead to trouble. Instead, you want to strengthen it so that it’s ready to respond when you are exposed to a cold or flu. Some simple tactics include supplementing with a high quality multi-vitamin, Vitamins C and D, and probiotics.

3. Prime your innate immune response so that it’s ready when you need it. Functional foods, beverages and supplements containing Wellmune WGP include Praeventia Cookies available in Ginger and Dark Chocolate Chip with Cranberries Cookies, OASIS Health Break Immuniforce as well as Coldmune, Healthmune and Stressmune dietary supplements. Wellmune works by tapping into the most abundant immune cells in your body, and it is a safe and easy way to help you reduce the risk of getting sick.

4. Rid yourself of toxic substances with a colorful diet and plenty of water. Keeping your body hydrated by drinking as much water in the winter as you do in the summer, and eating plenty of vibrantly-colored fruits and vegetables, are two of the best ways to cleanse and remove toxins from your body. Fruits and vegetables are also rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients which your body needs for optimal health.
Consuming whole fruits, rather than juices, provides not only vitamin C as an antioxidant but also dietary fibre. Many people make the mistake of choosing fruit drinks that contain only about 12 percent fruit juice to which artificial colors and sugars are added. These beverages are the ones to avoid. Oasis juice, with black current and elderberry, contains vitamin C and Wellmune as well as other beneficial phytochemicals such as the polyphenolic anthocyanins and ellagitannins that are good for your immune system.

5. Sleep and exercise. Think of sleep as your body’s repair cycle. You must give your immune system adequate time to do its work. Studies show that people who exercise regularly have a more vigorous immune response than those who remain sedentary.

There was a time when, because of food preparation and storage methods, people naturally ingested microbes such as worms and bacteria through their food and environment. These helped people to build up immunity against diseases. Now our food supply is much more sterile, and we’re very conscious about avoiding germs. But it still makes sense to safely, naturally and effectively activate our body’s built-in, natural immune mechanism without having to worry about any harmful side effects.

One well-studied step that anyone can take, even children, is to add a daily of yeast beta 1.3/1.6 glucan to your health routine. Wellmune WGP is a clinically researched brand of yeast beta glucan that has been shown to naturally prime the body’s neutrophils, which are the soldiers of the immune system. Using just the cell walls of a proprietary strain of yeast – to eliminate all yeast-related health concerns – it enhances the body’s natural immune function. It works by engaging the body’s natural defenses against yeast infections and helps redirect then towards other challenges. As a result, the neutrophils are primted for activity.

It is logical to take Wellmune WGP daily because the life cycle of neutrophils is two days or less. People about to enter the hospital, and long distance air travelers should also consider strengthening their immune system. You might also want to take Wellmune at the first sign of a cold or sore throat. Wellmune WGP is naturally safe, and the dosage on the label is the same as that used in the clinical studies.