Everyone has an interest in staying healthy throughout the cold and flu season. There are hundreds of nutritional supplements that are being sold for immune system support. How do you know if these products are effective? What criteria do you use to distinguish one product from the next? One of the assurances that consumers can have is in the clinically studied raw materials that are used by supplement manufacturers.
My interview with fifth-generation master herbalist Dean Morris is focused on two of these trademarked ingredients found in Rapi-Defense from Nature’s Way: EpiCor, 500 mg (dried fermentate made using Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and Immuno-LP20, 50 mg (heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum L-137). My guess is that most of you have not heard about these two ingredients. The clinical studies are compelling and I expect that you will hear more about these ingredients in the coming years. The third ingredient is the mineral zinc, which has a long history of clinical studies showing its importance in immune health.
Unlike other immune ingredients, EpiCor (Embria Health Sciences) strengthens the body’s immune defenses in many ways. It helps reinforce your first and second lines of active defense, increases antioxidant protection and also may help support good gut health.
First Line of Defense. EpiCor strengthens a first line of active defense by helping increase secretory immunoglobin A (sIgA) in saliva. sIgA is the primary antibody found in mucus, tears, saliva, mother’s milk and other areas.
Second Line of Defense. EpiCor strengthens a second line of active defense by helping increase Natural Killer (NK) cell activity. NK cells are a type of white blood cell circulating in our blood and organs that are fast and effective in seeking out and destroying infected cells at the initial occurrence.
A study published in the Journal of Nutritional Science has demonstrated daily oral intake of heat-treated Lactobacillus plantarum (HK L-137), the dominant constituent of House Wellness Foods’ flagship immunobiotic formula Immuno-LP20, decreases the incidence of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) in healthy subjects with high levels of psychological stress.
Steve Lankford is the host of HealthQuestPodcast.com. Steve has over 40 years of experience in the natural products industry. His passion is helping others develop nutritional programs that work. At HealthQuestPodcast.com, Steve interviews the experts in the fields of science and nutrition. His in depth explorations and consumer friendly style are designed help listeners learn about the science of nutrition. His guests are some of the most respected experts in the natural products industry.
To learn more, visit HealthQuestPodcast.com.
NOTE: The statements presented in this podcast should not be considered medical advice or a way to diagnose or treat any disease or illness. Dietary supplements do not treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always seek the advice of a medical professional before adding a dietary supplement to (or removing one from) your daily regimen. WholeFoods Magazine does not endorse any specific brand or product.
Published by WholeFoods Magazine Online, 12/1/2014
