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Efficacy of a yeast postbiotic on cold/flu symptoms in healthy children: A randomized-controlled trial
Ruma G Singh1, Vicenta Garcia-Campayo2, Justin B Green2
1KGK Science Inc., London, ON, Canada.
Insights
EpiCor™ postbiotic supplementation reduced cold and flu symptom severity and medication use in children. This yeast-derived ingredient demonstrated a safe and beneficial effect on children's immune function during the flu season.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Immunology
- Microbiome Research
Background:
- Children in school/daycare face high risks of respiratory infections.
- EpiCor™ postbiotic, a yeast fermentate derivative, supports adult immune function.
- Need for safe interventions in children due to pharmaceutical side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of EpiCor™ postbiotic in children aged 4-12 years.
- To assess the impact of EpiCor™ on cold/flu symptom incidence and severity.
- To compare EpiCor™ with a placebo during the flu season.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 256 children (4-12 years).
- Supplementation with EpiCor™ or placebo for 84 days during the 2022-2023 flu season.
- Assessment using the Canadian Acute Respiratory Illness and Flu Scale (CARIFS) and study diaries.
Main Results:
- Significantly lower total CARIFS severity scores, sore throat, and muscle ache severity in the EpiCor™ group.
- Placebo group was 1.73 times more likely to use cold/flu medication.
- No significant difference in cold/flu symptom incidence, but reduced severity and medication use with EpiCor™.
- EpiCor™ was found to be safe and well-tolerated.
Conclusions:
- EpiCor™ supplementation significantly reduced cold/flu symptom severity in children.
- Decreased use of cold/flu medication observed in the EpiCor™ group.
- EpiCor™ demonstrates a beneficial and safe effect on pediatric immune function.
Background:
Children attending school/daycare are at high risk of acute respiratory tract infections. EpiCorTM postbiotic, derived from yeast fermentate, has been demonstrated to improve immune function in adults, reducing the incidence of cold/flu-like or allergy symptoms. As such, studies are warranted in children as available pharmaceutical options have unwanted side effects.
Methods:
Two-hundred and fifty-six children aged 4-12 years attending school/daycare were randomized to either EpiCor or Placebo for 84 days during the 2022-2023 flu season in Ontario, Canada. The Canadian Acute Respiratory Illness and Flu Scale (CARIFS) and study diary assessed the incidence and severity of cold/flu symptoms and the use of cold/flu medications. Adverse events were recorded.
Results:
Total CARIFS severity scores, 'sore throat' and 'muscle aches or pains' symptom scores in the EpiCor group were significantly lower compared to Placebo during incidences of cold/flu (P ≤ 0.05). Participants taking Placebo were 1.73 times more likely to use cold/flu medication compared to those receiving EpiCor (P = 0.04). The incidence of cold/flu symptoms was not significantly different between groups. EpiCor was found to be safe and well-tolerated.
Conclusions:
EpiCor supplementation resulted in significantly lower cold/flu symptom severity and less cold/flu medication usage than Placebo demonstrating a beneficial effect on immune function in children.
Impact:
Children are at high risk of acquiring cold/flu infections and safe and efficacious mitigating regimens are lacking. Children supplemented daily with 500 mg EpiCorTM postbiotic derived from yeast fermentate had significantly lower overall cold/flu symptom severity, and severity of sore throat and muscle aches or pains over the 84-day supplementation period. EpiCor supplementation resulted in decreased use of traditional cold/flu medication. Daily supplementation with 500 mg of EpiCor for 84 days was safe and well tolerated by healthy children aged 4-12 years attending school or daycare.
