EpiCor® Reduces Cold & Flu Incidence, Duration

ANN ARBOR, Mich.Using EpiCor®, a branded immune modulator from Embria Health Sciences, may help reduce the chance of getting colds and the flu, as well as reduce the duration of incidence (Urol Nurs. 2008;28(1):50-55). The randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, conducted at the University of Michigan, was conducted during an acute 12-week period of the year for cold and flu symptoms; 116 participants who had recently been vaccinated against the flu received 500 mg/d of EpiCor or placebo. Subjects on the intervention were 21 percent less likely to suffer cold and flu symptoms overall; observable symptom duration was also reduced by 14 percent. According to the researchers, this could translate into approximately 32 percent fewer annual sick days.In a release, Larry Robinson, Ph.D., co-author of the study and vice president of scientific affairs for Ankeny, Iowa-based Embria, noted: This is the largest randomized trial to examine the impact of a fermented yeast product on cold- and flu-like symptoms ever conducted. If EpiCor can significantly reduce the incidence and duration of colds and flu, imagine the significance this could have on health care costs, sick days and lost revenuein addition to the more obvious impact on peoples overall health.