Six weeks of supplementation with Mibelle’s Carboxymethyl-glucan ingredient called CM-Glucan Nu was associated with respiratory health and quality of life measures for adults with a moderate pollen-allergy, according to data published in EC Nutrition.
“Our findings suggest that the novel beta-glucan, carboxymethyl-glucan (CM-Glucan), can be used as a safe and effective daily dietary supplement to decrease allergy symptoms and improve psychological mood state and quality-of-life parameters in self-described allergy sufferers,” wrote scientists from Amare Global R&D, 3Waves Wellness and Mibelle Group Biochemistry.
“These physical and mental wellness benefits are likely due to the ‘priming’ effects of beta-glucan on immune system cells, reducing the production of stress hormones (cortisol) and inflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta and TNF-alpha).”
Switzerland-based Mibelle Group Biochemistry funded the study.
Stats
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), allergies affect more than 40% of Americans every year.
Beta-glucans, naturally occurring polysaccharides found in the cell walls of yeast, have long been recognized for their immune-modulating properties and play a significant role in the immune market.
Carboxymethylation of the ingredient reportedly improves the solubility of beta-glucans in water and boosts absorption. Mibelle’s CM-Glucan Nu is self-affirmed GRAS (generally recognized as safe) in the United States and is available as a powder with a neutral taste and odor, according to the company.
Study details
The new randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study included 23 men and women with a self-described “moderate” pollen-allergy. The participants, who had an average age of 44, were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or 100 mg of the CM-Glucan for six weeks.
Self-reported allergy symptoms, quality of life and psychological well-being were assessed using questionnaires. The researchers also measured salivary cortisol and inflammatory cytokines.
The results showed that the beta-glucan group experienced significant reductions in inflammatory cytokines, including a 24% reduction in IL-1beta and a 37% reduction in TNF-alpha after only three weeks, compared to placebo.
Significant improvements were also recorded in subjective allergy-symptoms, including fatigue, thirst, reduced productivity, tiredness, poor concentration, headache and feeling worn out, the researchers reported.
Supplementation was also linked to reductions in negative psychological mood states, with self-reported anxiety and fatigue reduced by 18% and 23%, respectively.
“… there is a growing understanding of the association between seasonal allergic rhinitis with negative mood states such as depression and anxiety,” the researchers wrote. “The underlying mechanisms may be related to endocrine (e.g. stress hormones) and inflammatory (e.g. cytokines) agents because of the observed close relationship between acute allergic processes and affective states.
“These results suggest that supplementation with CM-Glucan may improve allergy symptoms and emotional well-being by reducing cortisol and inflammatory cytokines in self-described ‘moderate’ pollen-allergy sufferers,” they concluded.
Source: EC Nutrition
Volume 19 Issue 10 - 2024
“Effect of CM-Glucan Supplementation on Respiratory Health and Quality of Life in Self-Described Pollen-Allergy Sufferers”
Authors: S Talbott, et al.
