Everyone knows that protein and recovery products help rebuild muscles and replace nutrients. But what about immune health? Research shows that intense exercise temporarily weakens the immune system. Repeated workouts can create an "open window" in your body's defenses that may derail training programs and performance gains.

We’ve been tracking the research and market success of a natural beta 1,3/1,6 glucan derived from a proprietary strain of yeast that is clinically shown to prime key immune cells that keep the body healthy. Called Wellmune WGP, from Biothera, it has enjoyed several peer-reviewed clinical studies with marathoners and cyclists that demonstrate it can protect against exercise-induced immune suppression.^1,2 Professional and collegiate football, basketball and hockey players plus 16 major league baseball dietitians are personally testing Wellmune. So is your humble editor here.

Wellmune reduces upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptoms. In multiple clinical studies, Wellmune reduced the incidence of URTI symptoms that commonly strike out athletes in many sports. In a double-blinded study involving 182 marathon runners last year, subjects taking Wellmune for four weeks experienced a 40 percent reduction in URTI symptoms.³

This food, beverage and supplement ingredient has GRAS status in the US and novel foods approval in Europe and China. It is also patented, Kosher, Halal, non-allergenic and GMO-free. It’s up … it’s good!

References

1. Carpenter KC, et al. Baker’s yeast beta-glucan supplementation increases monocytes and cytokines post-exercise: implications for infection risk? Br J Nutr 2012 May 10:1-9.

2. Talbott S, Talbott J. Effect of beta 1, 3/1,6 glucan on upper resiiratory tract infection symptoms and mood state in marathon athletes. J Sports Sci Med 2009 Dec;8(4):509-15.

3. Navalta JA, et al. Baker’s yeast beta glucan supplementation reduces the number of cold/flu symptomatic days after completing a marathon. Poster. Am Coll Sports Med 2012 May 30.