Wellmune WGP® Boosts Athletes Immunity

EAGAN, Minn.Athletes who took Wellmune WGP® (from Biothera) were able to exercise longer and harder with less risk of immune system suppression that normally occurs following high-intensity exercise, according to a new clinical study presented at the International Society of Exercise Immunologys symposium. Wellmune WGP is a natural carbohydrate that can be added to functional foods, fortified beverages and supplements.

The randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study involved 60 recreational athletes [31 women (age 22 +5), 29 men (age 23 +5)] who engaged in sustained aerobic exercise. Following initial screening, study subjects were given either a placebo or 250 mg of Wellmune WGP daily for 10 days.   

At the end of the period, the athletes rode an exercise bicycle for approximately one hour in the heat stress chamber at the Health and Human Performance lab at the University of Houston.  Exercise conditions in the chamber were set at 38C (100F) and 45-percent relative humidity to create an environment that placed the athletes under physiological and psychological stress. 

Using a cross-over study design, the athletes next observed an eight-day wash out" period during which no supplement was given. The study subjects then repeated the 10-day supplementation with theo ther test variable (Wellmune or placebo).  At the end of the second supplementation period, the subjects then replicated their initial exercise regimen.

 Study subjects taking Wellmune WGP had statistically significant higher concentrations of monocytes in their blood compared with the blood samples while taking the placebo.  The higher monocyte level was recorded immediately before and after exercise, as well as two hours post exercise.

Study participants also had higher levels of key cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-5 and IFN gamma) following Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation when taking Wellmune WGP.  LPS is derived from gram-negative bacteria and used to mimic a foreign challenge to stimulate an immune response.  The data also showed higher levels of plasma cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10 and IFN gamma) two hours after exercise when the subjects had supplemented with Wellmune.  All of these results were statistically significant (P<0.05).

 These study results are not surprising given the beneficial effects of Wellmune WGP demonstrated in previous clinical trials involving marathoner runners, wildland fire fighters and individuals with high-stress lifestyles," said Don Cox, Ph.D., senior vice president, research anddevelopment, for Biothera, the manufacturer of Wellmune WGP. 

The effectiveness of the immune system drops sharply below its normal state two to six hours after strenuous exercise and then gradually recovers within 24 hours, according to study author an 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  During this open window period, the athlete is more susceptible to infection, which may result in lost training time as well as missed work or school," he said.

Dr. McFarlin research demonstrated Wellmune WGP not only reduced the open window" effect, but resulted in a higher level of immune responsiveness than the study subjects normal immune state.  Wellmune provided a greater degree of protection before and after exercise, as measured by monocyte concentrations and certain protective cytokine levels," McFarlin said. 

 Wellmune WGP is GRAS (generally recognized as safe), patented, kosher, halal, non-allergenic and GMO-free. The ingredient is recipient of an IFT Innovation Award and a Frost & Sullivan Excellence in Research Award.