Yeast beta-glucan increases the body's ability to fight pathogens （2）

Study  details

The study took place during the winter of 2010-2011 and used people of all ages (from 18 to 70)but they must have had a susceptibility to cold infections - at least three in the past six months. Those with acute conditions like chronic coughs or asthma were excluded.

At seven different study centres in Germany the study group received two 900mg tablets of Yestimun per day, while the placebo group received a 900mg maltodextrin supplement.

They were checked at baseline, eight and then 16 weeks as well as on the 5th day of reported cold episodes.

As well as the 25% lower number of infections in the study group, the severity of infections was also reduced.

A cold episode was defined by the occurrence of at least two of the following cold symptoms : sore throat, feeling of lump in the throat/difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, cough, rhinorrhea or nasal congestion.

In referencing the previous study as well as the current one, the researchers concluded that, "are duction in common cold episodes by 20-25 % was independently demonstrated fortwo independent study populations in two different winter seasons, which underlines the robustness of the effect and biological relevance of this yeast (1,3)-(1,6)-beta-glucan preparation.

Source: European Journal of Nutrition

DO1 10.1007/s00394-013-0492-Z

"Yeast (1,3)-(1,6)-beta-glucan helps to maintain the body's defence against pathogens

Authors: Linda Riede, Gordana Bothe, Regina Busch, Joerg Gruenwald.