Every day, our respiratory system deals with an airflow of around 12,000 litres. All that air contains microorganisms of every kind, including pathogens such as bacteria and viruses.
Normally, our airways are well defended. However, when factors such as sudden changes in temperature, pollution, cigarette smoke and low energy levels come into play, the risk of our airways being colonised by pathogens rises and, as a result, so does the risk of so-called acute respiratory infections (ARIs), which also include influenza and the common cold.
Acute respiratory infections (ARIs): what triggers them?
The data1 tell us that:
- bacteria are responsible for ARIs in only 10% of cases;
- viruses account for a good 70% of them.
In particular:
- the common cold is triggered by rhinoviruses, adenoviruses and coronaviruses, with symptoms that disappear within 4-10 days, usually without fever;
- influenza is caused by influenza and parainfluenza viruses, its symptoms may include fever, even above 39 °C, and full recovery takes 1-2 weeks.
Who gets the flu most often, and why
The incidence of influenza and influenza-like illness generally decreases with age: young children are in fact the most affected2. However, it is older people who face the greatest risks. Just consider that 50-70% of all influenza-related hospital admissions occur in people over 653.
Why is that? The greater vulnerability of the elderly population is due to a progressive decline in immune system function, linked to advancing age. This physiological phenomenon is known as immunosenescence.
What we can do to support our immune system
Our immune system is the “fortress” of our wellbeing: it defends it as best it can against every attack coming from outside. There are, however, various conditions that can weaken “its walls”, which is why we need to support it, so that it can keep on protecting us tirelessly.
Our daily choices in terms of lifestyle and habits carry a great deal of weight. And then, of course, there are vaccines.
But on this subject, it is essential to understand that vaccine effectiveness is inextricably linked to our body’s ability to mount an adequate antibody response to the vaccine.
In short: a “strong” immune system increases the effectiveness of vaccination; conversely, a “weak” immune system reduces the effectiveness of vaccination.
That is why, even if you have vaccinations, it remains important to keep the immune response at a high level, in all age groups.
To help you in this mission, we at Salugea have selected six 100% natural ingredients – Uncaria, Shiitake, postbiotic lactobacilli, Propolis, Zinc and Selenium – and put them in supplement form in the ImmunoGea formula.
Perhaps you are wondering why ImmunoGea does not contain Echinacea, Vitamin C or Lactoferrin, substances often found in supplements formulated to support the immune system. Read the answer below.
Why didn’t we use echinacea, vitamin C and lactoferrin?
- Echinacea is an ingredient better suited to an intensive product to be used for very short periods (7-10 days, 15 at most), rather than to a product like ImmunoGea, which is used over long periods, because it could have a less than ideal effect.
- Vitamin C and lactoferrin are valuable for the immune system. However, we left them out of this formula because, to benefit from them, each capsule would have needed to contain a large quantity of these substances, thus taking space away from the other, more functional and innovative active ingredients.
Instead of vitamin C and lactoferrin, we preferred to include in ImmunoGea ingredients and active ingredients that are even more suitable and innovative, such as postbiotic lactobacilli and beta-glucans from the Shiitake mushroom. And for antioxidant support, you have zinc and selenium in organic form.
Let’s now look at some of the studies carried out on the ingredients we have chosen.
Experimental Phytotherapy
Uncaria
Winkler C, Wirleitner B, Schroecksnadel K, Schennach H, Mur E, Fuchs D. In vitro effects of two extracts and two pure alkaloid preparations of Uncaria tomentosa on peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Planta Med. 2004 Mar;70(3):205-10. doi: 10.1055/s-2004-815536. PMID: 15114496.
This in vitro study highlighted the ability of Uncaria tomentosa extracts to modulate the immunobiochemical pathways induced by interferon gamma (a very powerful immune mediator), suggesting their possible use as immunoregulators, in line with functional observations made in patients who use these extracts in order to optimise their immune response.
Lamm S, Sheng Y, Pero RW. Persistent response to pneumococcal vaccine in individuals supplemented with a novel water soluble extract of Uncaria tomentosa, C-Med-100. Phytomedicine. 2001 Jul;8(4):267-74. doi: 10.1078/0944-7113-00046. PMID: 11515716.
This interesting clinical study tested an Uncaria extract on people receiving the pneumococcal vaccine, in whom a significant improvement in immunity was observed. In particular, an increased response to vaccination and a more prolonged maintenance of antibody titres over time were seen, both decisive factors for greater post-vaccination protection.
Shiitake and beta-glucans
Novak M, Vetvicka V. Beta-glucans, history, and the present: immunomodulatory aspects and mechanisms of action. J Immunotoxicol. 2008 Jan;5(1):47-57. doi: 10.1080/15476910802019045. PMID: 18382858.
This review of studies on beta-glucans highlighted that the beta-glucans of “medicinal” mushrooms, such as shiitake, have a biochemical structure [beta-(1 → 3,1 → 6)] that makes them far more effective for the immune defences than those found in barley, oats and yeasts.
Vlassopoulou M, Yannakoulia M, Pletsa V, Zervakis GI, Kyriacou A. Effects of fungal beta-glucans on health - a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Food Funct. 2021 Apr 26;12(8):3366-3380. doi: 10.1039/d1fo00122a. PMID: 33876798.
This review of no fewer than 34 scientific studies assessed the effects of fungal beta-glucans on health and concluded that supplementation with beta-(1 → 3,1 → 6)-D-glucans (such as those from Shiitake) is well tolerated and that their beneficial health properties are expressed mainly through the strengthening of the immune system.
Rodriguez JAM, Bifano M, Roca Goma E, Plasencia CM, Torralba AO, Font MS, Millán PR. Effect and Tolerability of a Nutritional Supplement Based on a Synergistic Combination of β-Glucans and Selenium- and Zinc-Enriched Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ABB C1®) in Volunteers Receiving the Influenza or the COVID-19 Vaccine: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Nutrients. 2021 Dec 2;13(12):4347. doi: 10.3390/nu13124347. PMID: 34959898; PMCID: PMC8708701.
This clinical study compared the action of a preparation based on (1-3,1-6) beta-glucan, selenium and zinc against a placebo on the effects of influenza and COVID-19 vaccination in a total group of 72 volunteers. The results validated the ability of the supplementation to stimulate acquired immunity, conferring greater immune protection in terms of specific circulating antibodies.
Propolis
Zulhendri F, Chandrasekaran K, Kowacz M, Ravalia M, Kripal K, Fearnley J, Perera CO. Antiviral, Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Antiparasitic Properties of Propolis: A Review. Foods. 2021 Jun 11;10(6):1360. doi: 10.3390/foods10061360. PMID: 34208334; PMCID: PMC8231288
.
This extensive review of studies highlighted the antiviral, antibacterial and immunomodulatory properties of propolis, which is able to promote innate immunity and modulate inflammatory signalling pathways. According to the research, propolis also helps to keep the host’s cellular antioxidant status high. All of these actions are important for maintaining a high immune status.
Esposito C, et al. A standardized polyphenol mixture extracted from poplar-type propolis for remission of symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection (URTI): A monocentric, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.Phytomedicine. 2021 Jan;80:153368. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2020.153368. Epub 2020 Oct 8. PMID: 33091857.
This Italian study, conducted on 122 adults, tested, over 8 weeks, a polyphenol mixture extracted from propolis for the remission of the symptoms of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), such as sore throat, mild hoarseness, and swelling and redness of the throat, which result from the inflammatory process that follows an acute bacterial or viral infection. The study suggests that treatment with propolis can be used to improve the symptoms of both bacterial and viral URTIs in fewer days, leading to a quicker resolution of symptoms.
Postbiotic lactobacilli (Lactococcus lactis JCM 5805)
Takeo Shibata, et al. Lactococcus lactis JCM5805 activates anti-viral immunity and reduces symptoms of common cold and influenza in healthy adults in a randomized controlled trial, Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 24, 2016, Pages 492-500, ISSN 1756-4646, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2016.03.035. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S175646461630072X)
In a clinical study on 396 healthy subjects, the effects of heat-inactivated Lactococcus lactis JCM5805 on the pathogenesis of the common cold and influenza were assessed. The subjects took either placebo or postbiotic lactobacillus capsules for 12 weeks. In the test group, a significantly lower number of incident days was observed compared with the placebo group for the symptoms of sore throat and cough. These and other data from the study suggest that taking the postbiotic lactobacillus stimulated pDC-related antiviral immunity, mitigating the incidence of common cold and influenza symptoms.
Sugimura T, et al. Effects of oral intake of plasmacytoid dendritic cells-stimulative lactic acid bacterial strain on pathogenesis of influenza-like illness and immunological response to influenza virus. Br J Nutr. 2015 Sep 14;114(5):727-33. doi: 10.1017/S0007114515002408. Epub 2015 Aug 3. PMID: 26234407.
In this other clinical study, the researchers examined the effects of oral intake of the postbiotic lactobacillus on plasmacytoid dendritic cells, on influenza-like symptoms and on the immunological response to the influenza virus. The study included 213 healthy participants who, divided into two groups, received either yoghurt prepared with the postbiotic lactobacillus or a placebo drink, every day for 10 weeks. In the test group, the cumulative incidence of days with “cough” and “fever” was significantly reduced compared with the placebo group. This and other findings of the study suggest that taking this postbiotic lactobacillus is able to reduce the incidence of the pathogenesis of influenza-like illness by strengthening the response to the influenza virus.
Zinc
Barnett JB, et al. Effect of zinc supplementation on serum zinc concentration and T cell proliferation in nursing home elderly: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2016 Mar;103(3):942-51. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.115.115188. Epub 2016 Jan 27. PMID: 26817502.
This clinical study assessed the effect of 3 months of zinc supplementation on serum zinc concentration and T-cell proliferation in nursing home residents. Of 53 nursing home residents (aged ≥ 65), 31 had a low serum zinc concentration and were randomly assigned to the zinc or placebo groups. The primary outcome measure was the change in serum zinc concentrations between baseline and month 3. The study also explored the effects of supplementation on the immune response. The results obtained demonstrate the ability of zinc supplementation to make T lymphocytes more responsive in the immune response, thus promoting immune protection.
Selenium
Goldson AJ, et al. Effects of selenium supplementation on selenoprotein gene expression and response to influenza vaccine challenge: a randomised controlled trial. PLoS One. 2011 Mar 21;6(3):e14771. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0014771. PMID: 21445287; PMCID: PMC3061857.
This clinical study investigated the effects of selenium supplementation on selenoprotein S gene expression and on the response to the influenza vaccine. For 12 weeks, 119 volunteers received placebo, 50, 100 or 200 µg/day of selenium-enriched yeast (selenium yeast), or meals containing unenriched or selenium-enriched onions (50 µg/day). The conclusions reached by this research provide preliminary evidence of the positive role of selenoprotein S (SEPS1) in the immune response and further support the relationship between blood selenium levels and immune function.
Thiel RJ. Natural vitamins may be superior to synthetic ones. Med Hypotheses. 2000 Dec;55(6):461-9. doi: 10.1054/mehy.2000.1090. PMID: 11090291.
Clardy J, Walsh C. Lessons from natural molecules. Nature. 2004 Dec 16;432(7019):829-37. doi: 10.1038/nature03194. PMID: 15602548.
Bibliography
[1] Webster RG, Monto AS, Braciale TJ, et al. Textbook of influenza. 2nd ed. Wiley Blackwell - 2013
[2] Lai PL, Panatto D, Ansaldi F, et al. Burden of the 1999- 2008 seasonal influenza epidemics in Italy: comparison with the H1N1v (A/California/07/09) pandemic. Hum Vaccin 2011;7(Suppl):217-25.
3 Loubet P, Loulergue P, Galtier F, et al. Seasonal influenza vaccination of high-risk adults. Expert Rev Vaccines 2016;5:1507-18.
Our texts are for information purposes only; they are not to be understood as an indication for the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions and are in no way intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
