Dietary
supplementation with yeast beta-glucan may be a useful approach for maintaining
immune protection against daily stressors.
The relationship
between stress and decreased immune function is well established, with psychological
stress having been shown to increase susceptibility to the common cold and
increased upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) episodes.
Psychological
stress reduces immune cell populations, lowers antibody production, and alters
cytokine responses. People with higher levels of psychological stress have a higher
incidence and greater severity of illness.
In a randomised
placebo-controlled, double-blind study, 77 healthy women under moderate levels
of perceived psychological stress were randomly assigned to take either a
beta-glucan supplement (250mg/day) or a placebo for 12 weeks. Effects of
beta-glucan supplementation (vs placebo) on various moods, upper respiratory
symptoms, and overall health status were measured at the beginning, and after
4-, 8-, and 12-weeks of supplementation.
Women in
the beta-glucan supplementation group reported fewer upper respiratory symptoms compared
to placebo (10% vs 29%), better overall well-being (improvement of global mood
state: 29% vs 16%), and superior mental/physical energy levels (vigor: 19.9 vs
15.8). The increases in vigor and global mood state are likely the logical
results of improvement in physical well-being.
In summary, daily
dietary supplementation with yeast beta-glucan reduces upper respiratory symptoms
and improves mood state in stressed subjects, and thus may be a useful approach
for maintaining immune protection against daily stressors.
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Source:
Shawn M. Talbott and Julie A. Talbott. J Am Coll Nutr (2012); Vol.
31(4):295–300
Labels: baker's yeast, beta-glucan, colds and flu, health, immune booster, immune cell, immune protection, proglucamune, stress, URTI, usana Australia, Women
