Intense exercise, such as running a marathon, cycling, etc., are known to suppress the natural immune capacity of mucous membranes that line the air passageways and digestive tract for up to 24 hours, which can increase the risk of developing an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and experience reduced exercise performance.
Many dietary interventions have been used to combat post-exercise immune suppression ineffectively, but this study demonstrates that Baker's Yeast Beta Glucan (β-glucan) may reduce URTI symptomatic days and improve mucosal immunity post-exercise, since baker's yeast β-glucan supplementation increases monocytes and cytokines after exercise.
Using two experiments, this study was to determine if baker's yeast β-glucan could positively affect the immune system of individuals undergoing intense exercise stress.
In the first experiment, 182 men and women marathon runners took 250mg of baker's yeast β-glucan or a placebo for 28 days immediately after the marathon. Baker's yeast β-glucan was associated with a 37% reduction in the number of cold/flu symptom days post-marathon compared to a placebo.
In the second experiment, 60 men and women were evaluated for changes in their salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) after 50 minutes of strenuous cycling taking 250mg of baker's yeast β-glucan or a placebo 10 days before their cycling session. Saliva was collected before, immediately after, and 2 hours after exercising. Baker's yeast β-glucan was associated with a 32% increase in salivary IgA at 2 hours after exercise compared to the placebo, signaling the mucous membranes were stronger, and could resist infection better.
For additional information on Baker's yeast β-glucan visit www.bakersyeastbetaglucan.com
