Power Up Your Body’s Defenses… These Two Innovative Ingredients Work on Four Different Levels to Support Your Immune Strength*

Just off the western coast of India, on the edge of the Arabian Sea, sits a military fort called Murud-Janjira. Built in the 1500s, the fort is famous for a unique reason.

Brilliantly built on an island, the entire fortress is surrounded with a black granite wall 40 feet high. The fort was armed with hundreds of cannons, including three gigantic ones so famously threatening that they each had names.

The main gate can only be seen from less than 40 feet away, and the back escape door is designed to look like a simple window.

With all these protections, Murud-Janjira became famous as the fort that couldn’t be conquered – and indeed, it never was.

What you may not realize is that your immune system is designed kind of like the fortress at Murud-Janjira, with several lines of defenses to keep pathogens at bay.

While your immune system can’t possibly enjoy the same record of success as the famous fortress, there are things you can do to maintain your immune system so its defenses are strong and able to ward off attacks.

You already know several of the factors that help maintain your immune health so you can enjoy life:

• Healthy diet

• Regular exercise

• Healthy sleep patterns

• Smart stress management

• Good hygiene

But of course, life happens, and modern life places a huge load of stressors on your immune system. You can’t control every pollutant and toxin. You can’t stop aging.

So, your best solution is to make sure your immune system is optimally primed for a healthy, balanced response. Let’s look at some ways you can build your immune defenses to face daily challenges…*

How Your Body Naturally Defends Itself Against Threats

Your body has an amazing natural capacity to protect itself against health hazards. Whether you’re working, playing, exercising or sleeping, your body’s immune system is continuously monitoring for threats and handling them when they appear.

Having a strong, healthy immune system is kind of like having a granite wall, cannons and fortress guards all shielding your body – it protects you on three levels.

Scientists call these levels your first, second and third lines of defense.

Your first line of defense against outside invaders involves physical barriers – your skin, mucous membranes, and secretions such as sweat, tears and saliva.

Your second line of defense is known as your innate immune system. This is a speedy, non-specific system that:

• Includes natural killer cells (NK cells), a type of white blood cell that targets and kills invading cells.

• Involves phagocytes, another type of white blood cell, that produces important chemical signaling proteins called cytokines and chemokines.

• Alerts the body when it recognizes Pathogen Associated Molecular Patterns, molecular structures that identify yeasts, bacteria and pathogens (1,3 beta glucan is one of those patterns, and we’ll learn more about that later).

• Produces “good” inflammation at the site of infection, which triggers the activation of NK cells and phagocytes.

Your innate immune system goes to work immediately and begins to neutralize the threat. All this activity in your white blood cells signals your body to activate your third line of defense, known as your adaptive immune system. This slower, highly targeted system:

• Produces antibodies that are specific to the particular invading pathogen.

• Retains “memory” of the attack so it can act immediately the next time your body is exposed to the same pathogen.

• Includes T lymphocytes (T), B lymphocytes (B) and T helper (TH) cells that also produce cytokines and can recognize infected cells and kill them.

A well-primed immune system can recognize and respond appropriately to immune challenges, keeping you in good health. But sometimes, the normal stresses of life weaken your body’s ability to deal with those challenges…

How High Levels of Stress Can Weaken Your Body’s Immune Response

Chronic stress negatively impacts the innate and adaptive immune systems in both men and women. Stress reduces immune system efficiency, and when stress becomes chronic, it can lead to a reduction in NK cell activity.

Today, up to 60% of women work at jobs outside the home. At the same time, they typically retain 75% to 80% of household responsibilities.

The pressures of work and home can lead to stresses that put increased strain on a woman’s health. And research suggests that women may respond to stress differently than men.

A study of 562 women found that daily stressors correlated with physical symptoms such as headache, muscle soreness, cough, cold, sore throat, nausea, stomach problems, chest pain, dizziness and other discomforts. These were reported by women of all ages.

And while estrogen enhances a woman’s immune system, hormonal fluctuations due to menstrual cycles or menopause can make a woman’s immune system less responsive.

When men experience stress, it affects their immune health too.

A study that included 21 male school teachers with increased work-related stress showed lower NK cell activity and higher levels of pro-inflammatory immune activity.

So, what’s the solution?

Be intentional about your lifestyle decisions. Whenever possible, make choices that give you more power to manage your stress levels.

And when those efforts aren’t quite enough, consider taking additional steps to help build and balance your immune function. Fortunately, science has discovered a number of effective ways to strengthen your immune system when it needs extra support.

The Problem with Immune Boosters: Why Constantly Stimulating Your Immune System May Not Be a Great Idea

Walk into a drugstore or natural health store, and you’ll see a wide array of immune health products. Sold as “immune boosters,” they’re designed to rev up your immune system to help you resist threats to your health.

These can be great when you’re facing an illness such as a cold or flu. But they can also create a problem… Immune boosters are designed to keep your immune system in a state of constant stimulation.

Used on a daily, long-term basis, these boosters may do more harm than good.

When you overstimulate parts of your immune system – like your T-cells – it can potentially lead to undesirable effects, such as allergies, bowel, autoimmune and other inflammatory issues.

Allergies can develop if your overactive immune system mistakes a harmless substance, like pollen, for an attacking invader. Why does this happen?

Many experts advocate the “hygiene hypothesis,” or the idea that growing up in the hyper-sanitized environments of today is responsible.

Unlike people of the past, we don’t typically get exposed to a wide variety of microorganisms in our daily lives. This can leave our immune systems lacking the “training” to respond appropriately to big threats when they come up.

Even worse, if your immune system gets out of balance and becomes overactive, it can recognize your own healthy cells as foreign cells and initiate an attack, resulting in an autoimmune or inflammatory condition.

Instead, you want a balanced immune response – one that responds to stressors but doesn’t over respond.

Most of the time, you don’t want to boost or suppress your immune system. However, nearly all natural and pharmaceutical products focus on immune boosting.

But our Fermented Beta Glucans is different. It’s all about balance…

The Goldilocks of Immune Response… Not Too Much and Not Too Little

We’ve just covered the drawbacks of stimulating too much of an immune response. But of course, you don’t want an underactive or weakened immune system either.

So, what can you do to strike the right balance?

First, be aware of the things that can weaken your immune system – emotional strain, everyday physical stressors, a poor diet, not enough exercise or sleep, and aging top the list.

In fact, as you age, your immune system doesn’t respond to challenges like it did when you were younger. Some of the changes that diminish your immune function with age include:

• Reduced production of T and B cells due to shrinkage of your thymus.

• Decreased function of mature white blood cells or lymphocytes.

• Increased inflammatory tissue environment from aging T and B cells.

Secondly, be proactive in reducing the stressors in your life. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to caring for your immune system.

The great news is, there is a way to actively balance and strengthen your immune function.

Our carefully formulated Fermented Beta Glucans can help you optimize your immune defenses to enjoy year-round immune, respiratory and sinus health.*

Fermented Beta Glucans provides outstanding, gentle immune system support thanks to two extraordinary ingredients:

1. Fermented Euglena algae with Beta-1,3-glucan

2. EpiCor^® yeast fermentate

Let’s take a closer look…

Beta Glucans Aren’t All the Same: Meet Euglena Whole Cell Algae’s Immune-Loving Beta Glucans

Beta glucans are a type of carbohydrate found in algae, bacteria, fungi (mushrooms) and plants like oats and barley. In bacteria and yeasts, beta glucans are part of the structural backbone of the cell wall.

However, beta glucans aren’t all the same. They differ from source to source. For example, beta glucans from oats serve a different purpose in your body than beta glucans from yeast or mushrooms.

Each source provides a beta glucan with different primary health benefits, based on its size, structure and solubility.

When scientists began studying these varying features, they decided to assign unique numbers to each of the different beta glucans. The numbers in the names correspond to the linkages between the glucose molecules in each beta glucan.

When it comes to immune health, one type of beta glucan is considered exceptional: Beta-1,3-glucan from Euglena algae. This variety serves a storage function in your cells and acts as an immune modulator.

One thing that makes the beta glucans from Euglena algae so unique is the algae’s structure. Instead of having a cell wall like many of the more advanced plants, simple Euglena has a protein-rich membrane known as a pellicle that is easily broken to release the beta glucan inside.

Euglena algae contains paramylon granules throughout the cell. Paramylon is a carbohydrate, and this is where the Euglena stores energy – in the form of free-floating beta glucan.

Because of this unique storage arrangement, the beta glucans from Euglena are of higher purity than those from other sources. And while beta glucans from plants require enzymatic digestion to achieve purification, beta glucans from Euglena require minimal processing.

Euglena Offers Unique and Powerful Immune Health Benefits

There’s simply no better source of beta glucans for supporting your immune health than Euglena whole cell algae. Here’s why…

This strain – Euglena gracilis – is classified by scientists as a protist. That means it shares characteristics with both animals and plants. It’s categorized by the way it moves and how it lives, and that’s what makes it so valuable for your immune health.

A freshwater microalga, Euglena has a high nutritional value including protein, vitamins, fatty acids and antioxidants such as carotenoids.

However, the magic is in how Euglena works with your immune system. Here’s what happens when you use this unique alga:

1. Whole cell Euglena alga enters your stomach and is exposed to stomach acids and enzymes. Non-beta glucan components such as proteins dissolve, which frees the paramylon granules (with the beta glucans) from the rest of the alga.

2. The paramylon granules remain undigested in your stomach and move into your small intestine, where your immune cells are located.

3. Your immune cells recognize the granules with the 1,3 beta glucans and the granules are absorbed through your small intestine. This is where the beta glucans come into contact with immune cells such as macrophages.

4. Your immune cells engulf the 1,3 beta glucans.

5. Your immune system’s phagocytes transport them throughout your body, releasing fragments of 1,3 beta glucans.

6. The recognition and ingestion of beta glucans trigger the release of cytokines, chemokines and other signaling molecules, stimulating immune cells to communicate with each other.

7. Signaling molecules activate other immune cells, which then target and destroy foreign invaders.

Earlier, we briefly covered Pathogen Associated Molecular Patterns. Those are the common molecular structures that show up in yeasts, bacteria and pathogens as part of your first line of defense.

Euglena’s 1,3 beta glucan is one of those patterns. It is easily recognized by your immune system. The 1,3 beta glucan directly interacts with key immune cells, stimulating them to support a healthy immune system.*

Now let’s look at the other ingredient in Fermented Beta Glucans. This second ingredient provides an additional source of beta glucans, along with another key benefit…

First Developed to Help Ease Farm Animal Stress, it Had an Unexpected Effect on the Workers Who Handled It

EpiCor^® first developed their proprietary yeast fermentate 60 years ago to help ease the weaning stress that pigs often experience on farms and to help chickens and cows endure everyday stress.

It worked well. Farmers reported that their animals were no longer getting so sick. But something else happened that was totally unexpected…

In 2004, insurance adjusters discovered that the employees working at the yeast fermentate manufacturing facility had far lower sick rates than other workplaces.

Could it be the workers’ immune systems were benefiting from the handling of the yeast fermentate?

That startling discovery kicked off a series of studies to examine the effects of EpiCor’s^® yeast fermentate on human health.

Here’s a quick summary of just a small handful of the studies that have been conducted:

• In two randomized double-blind placebo-controlled human clinical trials, 500 mg of EpiCor^® per day reduced the incidence and duration of seasonal respiratory symptoms.*

• The same product was shown in a subsequent randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial to also reduce certain symptoms associated with seasonal allergies.*

• In another study, a single 500-mg dose led to rapid changes in the levels of cytokines, proteins that play a key role as signaling molecules in the immune system.*

Each of these studies, and others like them, opened the door for humans to enjoy the immune health benefits of this innovative yeast fermentate.

The Four Defenses of EpiCor^® Yeast Fermentate

In addition to the beta glucans that EpiCor^® yeast fermentate contributes to Fermented Beta Glucans, it also provides mannans from the yeast cell wall. Mannans are another type of carbohydrate that help modulate the immune system.

With these two modes of action, EpiCor^® has been clinically shown to support your immune function on four different levels to promote your overall health and wellness:*

1. Promote Production of IgA (Immunoglobulin A) Antibodies*

When pathogens invade your skin, eyes, mouth and mucous membranes, an antibody called Immunoglobulin A, or IgA, goes into action to contain them before they can cause harm. This is the primary antibody found in your tears, saliva, mucous and even mother’s milk – part of the first line of defense.

EpiCor^® yeast fermentate has been shown to promote production of IgA in your saliva.* Higher levels of these important antibodies help your body protect itself from environmental challenges year round.

2. Increased Natural Killer (NK) Cell Activity*

As we saw earlier, Natural Killer, or NK, cells are white blood cells that quickly seek and destroy foreign invaders. Because they’re able to identify “bad” cells, they can respond quickly to help keep you healthy. They are major players in your second line of defense.

EpiCor^® yeast fermentate helps increase Natural Killer (NK) cell activity.* By increasing NK cell activity, EpiCor^® works rapidly to support your immune system to help with daily challenges.*

3. Increased Antioxidant Activity*

Your body depends on antioxidants to help protect cells and tissues from free radical and oxidative damage. Antioxidant activity is a significant part of your immune response.

EpiCor^® yeast fermentate has been shown to help increase antioxidant activity.* By increasing antioxidant power, it helps protect your cells and tissues.*

4. Boost Your Microbiome

Your immune system depends on a healthy gut for its optimal function. The greater the proportion of beneficial bacteria in your gut, the more optimal the support for your immune health.*

This is the fourth way in which EpiCor^® strengthens your immune health – by boosting beneficial bacteria levels in your gut.* EpiCor^® helps increase Anaerostipes, a genus of bacteria that produces butyrate, a fatty acid that is especially beneficial for immune health. Butyrate has been shown to support your innate immune system.*

By providing extensive support for your innate immune system, your second line of defense, EpiCor^® helps strengthen your adaptive immune system, your third line of defense.

What’s just as exciting is that these aren’t the only ways EpiCor^® benefits your gut and immune health…

Go With Your Gut… Enjoy the Benefits of Prebiotics Without the Undesirable Effects

Your gut is full of special tissue that plays an important role in your immune function. This GALT, or Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue, makes up about 70% of your immune system.

As we just discussed, EpiCor^® yeast fermentate supports your immune health by boosting certain types of beneficial bacteria in your gut. On top of that, it also promotes the growth of other beneficial bacteria that may help improve bowel regularity and support your overall gut health.*

EpiCor^® benefits immune and digestive function by:

• Acting as a prebiotic, or a food that nourishes beneficial gut bacteria, helping them grow and multiply to support gut health.*

• Significantly increases levels of butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) that has been shown to nourish your gut mucosa and support immune health in the gut.*

• Significantly increasing the levels of beneficial bacteria (bifidobacteria and lactobacilli) compared to controls in clinical studies.*

• Providing mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) and beta glucans that have been shown to be beneficial for gut immune health.*

• Discouraging the growth of non-beneficial bacteria and organisms.*

• Helping to support a healthy normal inflammatory response in your gut.*

• Acting as a prebiotic offers to help improve and support digestive function.

Published research shows that EpiCor^® helps to significantly improve healthy gut function by reducing bloating, feelings of fullness and overall digestive discomfort in subjects with occasional constipation.*

One study looked at the gut health effects of EpiCor^® yeast fermentate in a healthy population with symptoms of gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort and reduced bowel movements. This study confirmed previous in vitro and animal studies demonstrating EpiCor’s^® gastrointestinal and prebiotic benefits with only a 500-mg dose.

We recognize that when people hear the word “yeast,” they can get nervous. They wonder how any type of yeast could possibly promote health, especially gut health.

Fortunately, the fermentation process used to make EpiCor^® yeast fermentate removes any of the potentially negative effects of yeast.

EpiCor^® does not contain any active yeast and in fact supports immune action against harmful yeast in your body.

How EpiCor’s^® Fermentation Process Turns Active Yeast into a Yeast Fighter*

So, if yeast fermentate doesn’t contain active yeast, what exactly is it?

EpiCor^® yeast fermentate is a whole-food fermentation product made from baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) – the natural microorganism that’s been used for centuries to make wine, beer and breads.

First, a highly controlled, oxygen-rich environment is used to encourage the microorganism to multiply. Once there are enough, the process switches over to an anaerobic environment and the cells are deprived of oxygen.

In response, the yeast cells produce immune-supporting compounds and metabolites such as proteins, peptides, antioxidants, polyphenols, organic acids and nucleotides.

This unique, natural fermentation complex also contains the beta glucans and mannans that are so beneficial for your health.

A gentle drum-drying process captures the nutrients created during fermentation. The dehydrated fermentate no longer contains any active yeast. Instead, it contains the metabolic chemicals and compounds produced by the yeast during the fermentation process.

The finished whole-food yeast fermentate helps enhance your immune system and provide support against any issues with harmful yeast.*

Get Your Immune System in Top Working Order with Its ‘Daily Workout’*

By taking an active role in prepping and balancing your immune system now, you can help it respond appropriately when it encounters stressors and you need it most.*

Like a daily conditioning workout for your immune system, Fermented Bet Glucans can help maintain your immune system to support year-round immune health.*

Its two innovative ingredients, Fermented Euglena Algae and EpiCor^® Yeast Fermentate, provide you with a powerful yet gentle way to take control of your health.

These remarkable immune support ingredients work on four different levels to support your three lines of defense for a healthy, balanced immune response.*

These groundbreaking ingredients won’t stay under the radar for long. There’s simply too much research touting their potential benefits.

Start enjoying the daily benefits of this potent combination for your immune health. Order Fermented Beta Glucans today.