DRAPER, Utah—Consumption of a baker’s yeast beta-glucan supplement can significantly reduce allergy symptoms and improve quality of life in ragweed sufferers, according to a new study conducted by SupplementWatch, Draper, Utah. The results of the clinical intervention were presented April 13, 2011, at Experimental Biology 2011.
Ragweed is a leading cause of season allergy symptoms, affecting 36 million Americans annually with symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing, itchy eyes and difficulty breathing. For the placebo-controlled, double blind study, sponsored by Biothera, researchers recruited 48 healthy adults with self-described ragweed allergies. Subjects received either a placebo or 250 mg of Wellmune WGP® daily for four weeks during a period of high local pollen count.
After the intervention, while there were no differences between groups in ragweed-specific IgE markers, subjects taking Wellmune WGP had statistically significant reductions in overall allergy symptoms and severity, in key nasal and eye-related allergy symptoms, and improvement in the Quality of Life index. The researchers concluded daily supplementation with Wellmune could reduce allergy symptoms and improve quality of life in individuals who suffer from ragweed allergy.
“Previous research demonstrates that Wellmune WGP can safely prime the immune system to keep the body healthy," said Don Cox, Ph.D., senior vice president, Biothera Healthcare Research & Development. “This new research shows that Wellmune also has the ability to modulate the immune system when less of a response is needed."
