"This award is significant not only in that it honors EpiCor's impressive library of human clinical research, but also that it sets a new scientific precedent for the immunity category as a whole," said Stuart Reeves, PhD, Embria's director of research and development.
"It is our hope that with EpiCor's receipt of this award, manufacturers will start demanding scientific efficacy from suppliers' immune ingredients, and that the industry will realize that research-backed immune health products can be developed and thrive in the marketplace," he added.
The award – to be presented at the upcoming SupplySide West trade show in Las Vegas on Friday, October 22 – was based on an assessment of science/research methods, scientific breakthrough, innovation, and appeal for the manufacturing community.
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).
“The positive findings of both the cold and flu studies, as well as the allergy study, supports EpiCor's ability to offer year-round immune support,” added Larry Robinson, PhD, vice president of scientific affairs, Embria Health Sciences.