Novel Yeast Shields Against Viruses & Bacteria
By: John King
The latest research has revealed that a good portion of our immune system is located in our digestive tract. Some estimate that 80% of our immunity is regulated by our gut. Thus, it is no surprise that supplementing with probiotics (beneficial bacteria and yeasts) and prebiotics (substances that feed beneficial organisms in the digestive tract) have a positive effect on immune function.
As early as the 1800’s it was observed that livestock that were fed table scraps fermented in sour milk were healthier that those that were not. In 1943 C.W. Bloomhall started a company to research and create a specialized yeast culture that would act as an immune system modulator for livestock. Somewhere around 1998 it was observed that workers who were exposed to this novel culture on a daily basis were using less sick time than their office counterparts. This observation was the impetus of several studies comparing the factory workers exposed to the yeast culture to similar workers who were not. It was discovered that this novel culture helped to protect immunity in four ways.
The first thing discovered was that daily exposure to the culture increased the production of a substance called secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA). Secretory IgA is an antibody present in saliva and other mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose and mouth. It’s purpose is to trap bacteria, viruses and antigens before they enter the body and cause harm. It was also noted that levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin-10 (IL-10) were also increased. Additionally researchers observed a 7% increase in the volume of red blood cells along with and increase in the hemoglobin content. Hemoglobin is the blood protein responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body.
The second amazing discovery was that Natural Killer Cell (NK Cell) activity was dramatically increased. NK cells are a type of lymphocyte that attack things such as bacteria, viruses and tumors. Also observed was a decrease in the number of CD8 suppressor cells, improving the CD4/CD8 ratio. With this improved ratio researchers estimated that these subjects had 2 to 3 times the natural killing activity than would normally be expected.
Third, individuals exposed daily to the culture demonstrated unusually high antioxidant activity as demonstrated by 5 different ROS scavenging assays. This helps protect immune function over the long term as oxidative damage is a major cause of impaired immune response. This increase in antioxidant activity was observed in as little as two hours after ingestion.
Lastly, gut health was improved due to the culture’s prebiotic properties. In sophisticated digestive models it was demonstrated that levels of lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and butyrate we all increased, all important markers of gut health. With so much of our immune response dependant on gut health, improving it is essential to an optimal immune response.
So now you’re wondering what this novel immuno-enhancer is called…EpiCor. EpiCor is the brand name of this supplement although it is sold under many labels. No matter the label, it is all the same product sold under license. For more information on the health benefits of EpiCor, dosing and how to properly take it, click here to view it in The Nutraceutical Database.
Should you have any questions about the content of this article feel free to reach out to me and I will do my best to address your concerns.
Best in Health,
John