研究显示：酵母发酵产物具有快速提高免疫力的功能

Stephen Daniells, 06-Jul-2011

   根据来自于Embria公司的研究结果，单独服用酵母发酵提取物（Epicor）能够调节免疫系统，并影响血液的抗氧化水平。

   发表在医学食品杂志（J.Med. Food）的一项研究显示，使用500mg的来自于酿酒酵母的发酵产物，就能够使与免疫功能相关的细胞因子的水平发生了显著变化。

研究者解释道：“这些数据是通过认真的设计实验方案以控制血液中白细胞全天变化”“作为营养性的免疫增强，通过影响先天免疫以及获得性民呀防御，使用Epicor可能给承受特殊压力的健康个体以及具有特殊慢性疾病的病人带来希望。”

历史

农场主报告了他们的动物没有得病，出于怀疑这种培养物具有其他的作用，EpiCor 和Embria因此产生。

此外在2004年，保险公司注意到Diamond V Embria的农场员工比其他工厂具有较低的发病率。因此这家农场就认为这种培养物肯能够会激活工人的免疫系统。

免疫平衡，而不是调节

这种成分与免疫相关的益处有广泛的联系，包括降低感冒症状、降低感冒发病率和持续时间以及改善过敏症状等。

研究细节

由NIS 实验室的Gitte Jensen博士领导，研究者们招募了12名健康的志愿者参与他们的研究。

服用500mgEpicor或安慰剂后1-2小时开始从志愿者身上收集样品，结果显示T细胞核NK细胞有显著的降低，这两种细胞都在免疫系统中发挥作用。

此外，血液的抗氧化活性也被测定。在服用500mgEpicor之后，血液的抗氧化保护能力显著的改善。这可能反应了存在于天然产品中的容易吸收的抗氧化剂的含量，以及正常消化过程中抗氧化物质释放和产生。

Yeast fermentate shows rapid immune boosting potential: Epicor study

By Stephen Daniells, 06-Jul-2011

Related topics: Research, Immune system

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.

A variety of immune cell levels were changed

A single 500 milligram dose of the fermentate from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was associated with rapid changes in levels of compounds called cytokines associated with immune function, according to findings published in the Journal of Medicinal Food.

“The data presented were generated by using a study protocol that was carefully planned to be able to control for normal circadian variations in levels of circulating leukocytes,” explained researchers from Oregon-based NIS Labs and Iowa-based Embria Health Sciences.

“Epicor consumption may hold promise as a nutritional immune support in healthy subjects under acute stress, as well as for patients with specific chronic illnesses affecting innate and adaptive immune defense mechanisms.”

History

EpiCor and Embria were born out of suspicions that the culture could have other uses following farmers' reports that their animals were not getting sick.

Moreover, in 2004 insurance adjusters noticed that Diamond V, Embria's parent company, employees had far lower sick rates than other workplaces. The company thought the culture could be boosting the immune systems of workers who handled it.

Immune balance, not modulation

The ingredient has been linked to a range of immune-related benefits, including a reduction in cold- and flu-like symptoms in non-vaccinated individuals (Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Vol. 16, pp. 213-218), a reduction in the incidence and duration of cold and flu symptoms in subjects who had been vaccinated (Urologic Nursing, Vol. 28, pp. 50-55), and an improvement in allergy symptoms like runny nose (Advances in Therapy, Vol. 26, pp. 795-804).

Study details

Led by NIS Labs’ Gitte Jensen, PhD, the researchers recruited 12 health volunteers to participate in their placebo-controlled randomized crossover pilot study.

Samples collected from volunteers one to two hours after consumption of a single dose of 50 mg of Epicor or placebo revealed a decrease in numbers of T and natural killer cells. Both types of cells play a role in the immune system.

Dr Jensen and her co-workers reported significant changes in levels of specific lymphocytes, T cells, and NK cells.

In addition, antioxidant activity of the blood was assessed using NIS Labs’ CAP-e cell-based test. “We found a statistically significant improvement in serum antioxidant protection capacity after ingestion of 500 mg of Epicor,” wrote the researchers.

“This may reflect the content of easily absorbed antioxidants existing in the native product, as well as antioxidant compounds released or generated as a result of normal digestive processes,” they added.

Dr Jensen and her co-workers said that future studies should “address whether Epicor consumption may support immune surveillance in populations experiencing stress and sleep disturbances”.

Authors: Journal of Medicinal Food
Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1089/jmf.2010.0174
“Antioxidant Bioavailability and Rapid Immune-Modulating Effects After Consumption of a Single Acute Dose of a High-Metabolite Yeast Immunogen: Results of a Placebo-Controlled Double-Blinded Crossover Pilot Study”
Authors: G.S. Jensen, K.A. Redman, K.F. Benson, S.G. Carter, M.A. Mitzner, S. Reeves, L. Robinson