Sales at biotech firm Biothera have exploded in the last three years as some of the biggest names in food and drink have started to take yeast-based beta glucan seriously as an immune health ingredient.
Consumption of oligosaccharides from food sources, rather than solely from breast milk, could help to boost childhood nutrition and immunity, reducing the risk of food allergy and dermatitis, says a new review.
The ability of probiotics to influence the immune system differs greatly, depending on the strain, Dutch and Belgian researcher have said in findings that could influence clinical trial design.
A single dose of the branded yeast fermentate Epicor may modulate the immune system and influence antioxidant levels in the blood, according to results of a pilot study from Embria.
In vitro and in vivo studies of beta-glucans have highlighted how differing structures of the fibre determine their ability to bind to receptors on innate immune cells and the specific immune responses that result.
Probiotics are best used for their potentially beneficial effects on gut health, but they may also help to boost immune functions – an effect that could benefit sports stars in the future, according to a leading sports scientist.
Leading kefir manufacturer Lifeway Foods has posted a 19 percent increase in sales in the first quarter of 2011, compared to Q1 2010, as the company eyes a full year of ‘record sales and profitability’.
Australian biotech firm Marinova has reported “exceptional” demand in the US and Asia for its fucoidans, bioactives from brown seaweed researchers believe could help to explain the health and longevity of the Japanese.
The ability of beta-glucan to modulate immune function is related to the specific form of the beta-glucan, with not all beta-glucans offering the same benefits, says a new study in Nature.
The 36 million American sufferers of ragweed allergy my benefit from supplements of a beta-glucan based ingredient, according to new research presented at Experimental Biology 2011.
Low vitamin D levels could increase the likelihood of children developing allergies, researchers from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, New York City, concluded after studying the blood tests of 6,500 people.
Industry and consumer interest in nutritional approaches to boost immune system function show the potential for the area, but challenges remain to building the science to support any such claims, says an internationally-renowned expert.
Daily supplements of Hawaiian spirulina may boost the immune system of seniors and offer an opportunity to counter anemia associated with aging, says a new study from UC Davis and Cyanotech.
Studies showing the benefits of immune boosting ingredients in marathon runners and soccer players can help show the less serious athlete how to balance the immune system, says Biothera's VP of R&D.
Daily supplements of a beta-glucan based ingredient may reduce the duration of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptoms in a healthy population, says a new study presented at the Society for Immunology conference in Liverpool, UK.
Sterling Technology and Wild Flavors have formed a partnership making Wild the exclusive provider of Sterling’s bioactive milk protein ingredients Immunel and Tegricel.
Embria Health Sciences’ Epicor has received the SupplySide West 2010 Scientific Excellence Award, the first time the award has been granted to an immune health ingredient.
Supplements containing an arabinogalactan extract may enhance the body’s response to a pneumonia vaccine, according to a new pilot study that supports the immune boosting properties of the ingredient.
Vitamin D may protect asthmatics from an allergic response linked to common mold, suggests a new study from the US supporting the vitamin’s immune health effects.
A Minneapolis-based legal firm is attempting to drum up support for a class action against a vitamin-fortified Kraft water called Crystal Light Immunity.
Theaflavins, compounds found in black tea, may reduce allergic response in people with sensitive skin and related conditions, suggests a new study with mice.
Tocotrienols, a form of vitamin E, may enhance the function of immune cells and help ensure healthy immune function as we age, suggests new data from Tufts University.
The yeast-based ingredient Wellmune WGP, from Minnesota biotechnology company Biothera, reduces upper respiratory tract infection symptoms and improves mood states judging by new research presented at the recent Experimental Biology 2010 conference in...
Supplements of lycopene may protect against inflammation in the lungs and reduce the risk of developing asthma, suggest results from a study with mice.
Daily supplements of astaxanthin – the pigment that gives salmon its pink colour – may protect DNA from damage and boost the immune response in healthy young women, says a new study.
Two Scandanavian companies have teamed up to supply a beta glucan product to US consumers who spend an estimated $80-100m each year on this market segment.
Soluble fibres like pectin from apples may reduce the inflammation associated with obesity-related diseases and strengthens the immune system, says a new study from the US.
Supplement containing an extract of pine cone may enhance the specific immune response to foreign proteins and reduce the risk of allergies, says a new study with mouse.
The Kellogg Company has pulled immunity claims from its popular antioxidant-fortified Rice Krispies range, rather bizarrely citing swine flu links as the principal reason.
Immune health from gut health is not too obscure for consumers, but work needs to be done on identifying the mechanisms involved, said the conclusions from a two-day meeting in Toulouse.
Reaction to Dannon’s $35m out-of-court probiotic settlement has been varied – from those accusing the company of scientific and marketing negligence to staunch defense of the company’s right to market products even when the science is not conclusive.
A new study at the University of British Columbia will examine whether increasing the recommended dose of vitamin D for pregnant women will increase levels of the vitamin delivered to their babies in breast milk.
The gut health boosting effects of probiotics may also extend to preventing and eradicating parasitic infections, according to ‘early data’ from the US.
Ingredient firm Embria Health Sciences said independent testing for its EpiCor immune health ingredient has confirmed antioxidant bioavailability and quality standards.
Embria Health Sciences has announced GRAS designation for its EpiCor ingredient that gives new reassurance of its safety at intake levels 6 times higher than the previous GRAS designation.
Proliant Health and Biologicals’ bovine globulin ingredient, ImmunoLin, has achieved self-affirmed generally-recognised as safe (GRAS) status, paving the way for its use in functional foods and beverages.
Daiwa Health Development (DHD) may strengthen its hand in the market for supplements claiming immune boosting benefits with further launches of what it calls a convenient Rice Bran Arabinoxylan Compound (RBAC).
