A strong immune system is central to staying free from colds and flu – and viral infections generally.

The key players in what’s called your innate immune system are white blood cells – including Natural Killer cells, neutrophils and macrophages.

These white blood cells are like a permanently patrolling, rapid response guard that looks out for incoming enemies – in this case viral, bacterial and fungal threats.

Read more → What are neutrophils, macrophages and Natural Killer cells?

How Immunoshield’s beta glucans prime the immune system

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A natural compound, called 1-3, 1-6 beta glucans, ‘primes’ your innate immune system. It works by increasing the number and activity level of the white blood cells.

A heightened activity results in more effective innate immunity, which then fights actual threats.

These threats include flu or cold viruses, some respiratory tract infections, TB (tuberculosis), pneumonia, and bacterial infections like chlamydia, E. coli, salmonella or C. difficile.

Wellmune^TM 1-3, 1-6 beta glucans

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By far the best researched form of 1-3,1-6 beta glucans is Wellmune^TM from Kerry Group, with over £120 million of clinical trial research behind it.

Beta glucans can be derived from the cell walls of certain plants like shiitake mushrooms, or, in the case of Wellmune^TM, from a form of baker’s yeast. These are then purified so that they cannot cause any allergy reaction.

When the Canadian Military tested some 100 potential immune boosters (even against radiation), Wellmune^TM came out as number 1 for effectiveness.

ImmunoShield, containing Wellmune beta glucans, is proven safe to use in the face of both an incipient problem – for example the onset of a sore throat – or on a continuous basis.

Safety is an important issue, because the immune system can be over-stimulated. That can lead to what is called a ‘cytokine storm’ – where the immune system turns on itself.

Echinacea, for example, has an undoubted immuno-modulatory effect, but some health writers have expressed concern that continuous or over-use of it could lead to this.

Beta glucans work in a completely different way, so they are completely safe on a continuous long-term basis.

Research

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Wellmune^TM beta glucans have been subjected to dozens of studies.

A 90-day study, presented at a British Society for Immunology conference, assessed the effectiveness of Wellmune^TM beta glucans, the main active ingredient in ImmunoShield.

The study was conducted with a healthy population of 100 medical students during the peak of the 2010 cold/flu season. Medical students, of course, work long hours in hospitals which inevitably places stress on their immune systems. Those taking Wellmune^TM daily reported:

• Far fewer days of symptoms than their colleagues who received a placebo
• Significantly reduced duration of URTI (Upper Respiratory Tract Infections) ie. symptoms of colds and flu.

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