Wellmune WGP® Reduces Incidence of Stress-Related Health Challenges
Research Results Presented at American College of Nutrition Annual Meeting
EAGAN, MN – November 6, 2007 – Highly stressed individuals participating in an independent clinical study reported a significant increase in their general health after taking Wellmune WGP®, a natural compound that activates key immune cells, according the research presented recently at the 48th American College of Nutrition Annual Meeting.
A total of 150 people (45 men and 105 women ages 18-65) categorized as leading highly stressful lives completed the double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The participants received either Wellmune WGP, a functional food and dietary supplement ingredient from Biothera, or a placebo daily for four weeks. The study measured both stress-related incidence of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptoms (i.e. cold, flu) and psychological well-being, including levels of vigor, tension, mental clarity and fatigue.
High-stress subjects taking 250 mg of Wellmune WGP daily reported a 41% increase in general health when compared with the placebo group over the four-week study period. (All reported data is statistically significant at the p<0.05 level.) In comparison with the placebo group, the Wellmune WGP group reported a:
- 42% increase in vigor
- 38% reduction in fatigue
- 19% reduction in tension
- 15% reduction in stress-induced confusion
“The study indicates that healthy, normal people who lead stressful lifestyles due to everyday events arising from their careers, travel and interaction with others may benefit from Wellmune WGP,” said Shawn Talbot, Ph.D., research director for SupplementWatch, Inc., an independent dietary supplement research and consumer education company that conducted the study. “Wellmune WGP’s ability to activate innate immune cells may increase the body’s ability to protect itself from stress-related challenges to their health.”
Said Richard Mueller, Biothera president and chief executive officer: “Consumer awareness of the importance of the immune system to overall health has reached critical mass. We believe the study results show that Wellmune WGP can meet growing consumer demand for natural products, backed by credible science, that safely support healthy immune function.”
The Wellmune WGP group also reported fewer symptoms associated with upper respiratory tract infections, including nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, cough, fatigue, headache, general malaise and body aches. After four weeks of treatment, 28% of the placebo group reported URTI symptoms, compared with 8% in the groups taking Wellmune WGP.
“The study results were not unexpected given our knowledge of the how Wellmune WGP works inside the body to prime key innate immune cells, primarily neutrophils and macrophages, to more quickly engage and destroy a foreign intruder,” said Don Cox, Ph.D., vice president, Biothera Healthcare Research & Development.
Publication of the full study results is pending.
Study Design
Subjects were selected for the study using a 15-question survey that assessed individual levels of perceived stress. This screening method was successfully used in six prior clinical studies. The subjects were randomly administered either Wellmune wgp or a placebo for four weeks.
The physical health of the study subjects was evaluated based on reported incidence of URTI-related symptoms. Subjects were asked to score their health during the supplementation using a 1-to-10 scale (1=worse, 10-better) and similarly rate their overall health status.
The psychological well-being of the study participants was measured using a Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. POMS is a validated psychometric test that measures six primary mood states: tension, depression, anger, fatigue, vigor and confusion. The POMS profile method has been employed in more than 2,900 health studies.
About Wellmune WGP®
Wellmune WGP is a functional food & beverage and dietary supplement ingredient from Biothera. This natural compound (gluco polysaccharide) is isolated from the cell walls of proprietary 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.
About SupplementWatch, Inc.
SupplementWatch, Inc. was founded in 1999 in response to the growing public confusion, hype and controversy surrounding nutrition and dietary supplements. Its aim is to clarify information about dietary supplements and provide consumers with timely, relevant and balanced advice to help them make informed decisions. The SupplementWatch team consists of a growing network of scientists, physiologists, nutritionists and other health professionals dedicated to educating people about the pros and cons of dietary supplementation. Website: www.supplementwatch.com.
About Biothera, the Immune Health Company
Biothera is a biotechnology company dedicated to improving immune health. The company's 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.
Contact:
David Walsh
VP, Communications
Biothera, the Immune Health Company
651-256-4606