Wellmune WGP Supplementation Research Results Presented At Experimental Biology 2008 Meeting

Main Category: Immune System / Vaccines
Also Included In: Clinical Trials / Drug Trials;  Flu / Cold / SARS
Article Date: 10 Apr 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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Wellmune WGP®, a natural immune-enhancing ingredient from Biothera, reduced the incidence of fever and eliminated the need for study subjects to miss work or school due to the cold-like symptoms, researchers reported at the 2008 Experimental Biology annual meeting.

Don Cox, Ph.D., Vice President of Research & Development for Biothera's Healthcare Group, said, "This study's results are exciting because they show the potential for Wellmune WGP to naturally enhance the body's innate immune response to protect against and ameliorate the symptoms of something that every one of us encounters - the common cold. These results are consistent with numerous other immune health studies conducted with our ingredient, and indicate the real-life benefits that Wellmune WGP supplementation can provide."

The research was presented by Douglas Kalman, Ph.D., RD, FACN, a Director at Miami Research Associates, which conducted the study for Biothera. An abstract of the study is available at http://www.biothera.com/healthcare.

The double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted during the cold season with 40 healthy subjects, aged 18-65. The subjects were treated daily with either 250mg of Wellmune WGP or a placebo for 90 days. Wellmune WGP is a natural carbohydrate that activates key immune cells, including macrophages and neutrophils, to more quickly recognize and kill foreign challenges. The product engages the body's natural defenses to promote health, wellness and vitality. In contrast with the placebo group, study participants who received Wellmune WGP daily reported:

* No incidence of medically verified fever.

* An increase in general health markers, including physical energy and emotional well-being, as measured by a clinically validated health survey questionnaire (SF-36v-2).

* No need to take a "sick day" off of work or school (compared with 1.38 days of work/school missed for the placebo group).

In addition, although there were no differences between groups in the number of colds, at the end of the 12-week test period the Wellmune WGP-supplemented group exhibited significant improvements in Physical Component Summary scores as defined in the SF-36v-2 health survey.

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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About Wellmune WGP

Wellmune WGP is a functional food, beverage and dietary supplement ingredient available worldwide through Biothera and its distributors. This natural compound (gluco polysaccharide) is isolated from the cell walls of a strain of yeast. Wellmune WGP is patented, GRAS-approved, Kosher, non-allergenic and GMO-free. Numerous peer-reviewed studies support the safety and efficacy of Wellmune WGP, which is the culmination of years of research and a technology investment of more than $250 million. Wellmune WGP is available as a soluble and dispersible powder for ease of formulation in a wide range of foods and beverages, including clear liquids.

About Miami Research Associates

Miami Research Associates (MRA, http://www.miamiresearch.com/) is a multi-specialty clinical research facility in operation since 1996. It has 32 board-certified physician investigators and more than 25 ACRP Certified Clinical Research Coordinators. MRA conducts pharmaceutical trials at Phases I-IV and conducts studies involving nutraceuticals, medical devices and specialty products.

About Biothera, the Immune Health Company Biothera is a biotechnology company dedicated to improving immune health. The company is developing pharmaceuticals that engage the innate immune system to fight cancer. Biothera also manufactures and markets food-grade ingredients that support healthy immune function to the nutritional supplement, functional food, cosmetic and animal nutrition markets. (http://www.biothera.co/)

Source: Dave Walsh
Strategic Communications