Immune Health: It Takes Guts

Immune health is a concern for all. Whether young or old, active or sedentary, student or professional, being healthy—and feeling healthy—is something everyone wants. However, keeping the immune system strong so it can work at full speed and max capacity is no easy feat; factors such as stress, sleep, nutrition, alcohol consumption, activity level and environment can impact immune health.

“Because 70 percent of the immune system is located in the digestive tract, digestive health has a large impact on overall immune health and function,” said Donald Cox, Ph.D., research and development (R&D) director—Wellmune, Kerry. “The immune cells in our digestive tract share the space with hundreds of naturally occurring bacteria, and keeping a healthy balance of ‘good’ bacteria is crucial in maintaining both digestive and immune health.”

Interest in the link between the gut and immunity is expanding and, as such, natural research is emerging to support the role of natural ingredients on gut health and the corresponding effects on immunity.

One such ingredient is a food fermentate of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (as EpiCor from Embria Health Sciences), which has been shown to boost beneficial bacteria levels in the gut.¹

When evaluated for its impact on cold and flu symptoms, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentate (EpiCor) led to fewer cold- and flu-like symptoms and a shorter duration of symptoms compared to placebo in a 12-week, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of 116 patients recently vaccinated for seasonal influenza.² In patients with no recent history of seasonal influenza vaccination, the fermentate significantly reduced the incidence of flu and cold, but did not significantly impact duration or severity of cold- and flu-like symptoms.³

Additional benefits of EpiCor include its ability to increase key secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies found in saliva and mucosal membranes that trap and eliminate pathogens and other foreign objects,⁴ and increase activity of white blood cells along with antioxidant capacity to protect red blood cells from damage.⁵

Absorbed by specialized immune tissue in the gut, a proprietary baker’s yeast beta 1,3/1,6 glucan (as Wellmune® from Kerry) binds to neutrophils, enabling them to move more quickly to recognize and kill foreign challenges, according to Cox. These effects are documented in several studies in a range of populations. In a clinical study of children in a daycare setting, Wellmune decreased episodes of common childhood illnesses and symptoms of illness, with 62 percent of children taking the ingredient reported as having “good” health versus 15 percent of children who did not consume Wellmune.⁶

A probiotic strain of Bacillus coagulans (Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086, GanedenBC³⁰®) offers immune-boosting properties. In a controlled study of 10 participants, 30 days of supplementation with the probiotic strain increased T lymphocyte cell production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in participants after exposure to adenovirus and influenza A.⁷ Building on these results, researchers sought to evaluate the effect of Ganeden BC³⁰ on immunological marker levels following viral exposure, and found a statistically significant difference in IL-8 levels after influenza A exposure, along with interferon gamma (IFN-y) levels after adenovirus exposure.⁸

For a closer look at ingredients to support immune health, download INSIDER’s Immune Health Digital Magazine.

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