Wellmune WGP® Reduced Fatigue
and Infection Symptoms in Marathoners
Research Results Presented at American College of Nutrition Annual Meeting
EAGAN, MN – November 6, 2007 – Wellmune WGP®, a natural ingredient that enhances the immune system, increased vigor and mental clarity while reducing fatigue and upper respiratory tract infection symptoms in marathon runners, researchers reported recently at the 48th American College of Nutrition Annual Meeting in Orlando.
The double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 75 marathon runners (35 men, 40 women) ages 18-53 (mean age 36 years) who were recruited at the 2007 Carlsbad Marathon in California. Subjects were treated with Wellmune wgp, a natural carbohydrate that activates key immune cells to more quickly recognize and kill foreign challenges, or a placebo for four weeks. Wellmune WGP is a product of Biothera, a Minnesota-based biotechnology company.
In contrast with the placebo group, Marathoners taking 250 mg of Wellmune WGP daily reported a:
- 22% increase in vigor
- 48% reduction in fatigue
- 38% reduction in tension
- 38% reduction in stress-related confusion
The physical benefits of Wellmune WGP were also statistically significant. Fully 66% fewer subjects reported upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptoms when taking 250 mg of Wellmune WGP daily for four weeks, compared with runners treated with a placebo. The symptoms measured included nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, cough, fatigue, heache, general malaise and body aches. In addition, study participants taking Wellmune wgp rated their health 44% higher as compared to normal.
“This study indicates the potential of Wellmune WGP to naturally enhance innate immune responses to protect against stress-induced health challenges,” said Don Cox, Ph.D., vice president, Biothera Healthcare Research & Development, and one of the researchers. “These results are consistent with numerous other immune health studies conducted with our ingredient.”
Shawn Talbot, Ph.D., research director for SupplementWatch, Inc., an independent dietary supplement research and consumer education company, was the lead researcher on the study. Said Talbot: “Daily supplementation with Wellmune WGP significantly reduced the incidence of symptoms associated with upper respiratory tract infections and improved psychological well-being. The results confirm the importance of maintaining a healthy immune system.”
The study results may have broader implications for consumers and manufacturers of immune health products. “The study demonstrates the health benefit of Wellmune wgp for elite athletes enduring significant physical stress,” said Richard Mueller, Biothera president and chief executive officer. “But those same health benefits can be obtained by ordinary people experiencing lifestyle stress that may compromise their immune systems.”
Physical Stress Results
Numerous studies have has demonstrated that heavy exercise or excessive physical activity may weaken the immune system and result in increased upper respiratory tract infections. For the purposes of the study, the Carlsbad runners were selected because of the tremendous physical stress of a marathon race.
Marathon runners in the two treatment groups had statistically significant (p<0.05) improvements in measurements of physical health, including reported upper respiratory tract infection symptoms and overall health status. At the two-week interval, 68% of subjects in the placebo group reported symptoms associated with URTI, but only 32% in the 250 mg Wellmune WGP treatment group reported similar symptoms. Upper respiratory tract infections were reported by only 8% of subjects in Wellmune WGP group at week four vs. 24% of placebo subjects.
Psychological Stress Results
The study measured the psychological states of the participants using a Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. The POMS profile method, which measures six primary moods states (tension, depression, anger, fatigue, vigor and confusion), has been employed in more than 2,900 health studies.
The POMS results mirrored the physical health assessment. “Not surprisingly, if you feel well physically you will probably feel well psychologically,” said Dr. Cox. “The marathoners taking Wellmune WGP experienced fewer symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections so their energy levels and general sense of wellness were higher than the placebo group.”
Publication of the full study results is pending.
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 a 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