Wellmune supports immune health across all life stages

Immune support is the highest health priority for consumers across all stages of life, driving demand for proactive and holistic approaches to preventative health.¹

As the body’s first line in defense against harmful pathogens, germs, and cell changes, the complex immune network is constantly working to keep the body healthy.²

The innate immune system – a crucial component of the overall immune system – is the protection that an infant is born with. These immune cells are typically the first responders to a threat and recruit the adaptive immune system to help fight off more serious health threats.

After coming in contact with harmful viruses and bacteria in the body, the adaptive system remembers a previous specific health challenge and provides targeted protection, known as acquired immunity or immune memory. Training the innate immune system is an effective tool to support the body’s immunity.

However, the immune system faces challenges throughout each life stage. An underdeveloped immune system at birth, and continued changes throughout life, can lead to a decline in immune function in older life, a process called immunosenescence.

Several lifestyle factors can weaken the immune system, including: chronic stress; alcohol consumption; smoking; poor diet; lack of exercise; and insufficient sleep. All can deprive immune cells of essential resources and increase the occurrence and severity of disease.

First clinically studied oral immune system trainer

To provide support for immune health, Kerry Group introduced Wellmune® – the first clinically studied oral innate immune system trainer formulated to strengthen immunity. By training the immune system, Wellmune® helps the immune system respond more effectively to threats and provide a crucial first line of defense against infection.

Wellmune® is a unique baker’s yeast beta 1,3/1,6 glucan postbiotic. Bakers yeast beta-glucan is a naturally occurring polysaccharide derived from cell wall of baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae).

As a postbiotic, Wellmune® is designed to strengthen the innate immune system by improving the function of leukocytes (white blood cells), making them more effective at finding and killing harmful substances.

Immune support for children

Born with an immature immune system, children are particularly vulnerable to various infections and diseases. The perinatal immune system develops in a relatively sterile fetal environment but emerges into an environment filled with a multitude of antigenic encounters.³

Providing early life immune support can keep children healthy. By fending off infections, a healthy immune system reduces the likelihood of a child developing more serious health complications and allows children to be more active, preventing frequent bouts of illness that can disrupt day-to-day life.

Immune health is a growing category in children’s health supplement launches.⁴ Products with proven ingredients that support immune health for children are also in demand, with immune health standing out as a top driver of children’s food and beverage launches collectively.⁵

With ease of use and convenience top of mind for parents, choosing a format with great taste and easy adaptability is key. Wellmune® is well positioned here as a clinically-studied and convenient solution for parents looking to support immune health in early life.

A 2016 study conducted with children in a daycare setting showed that Wellmune® helped to keep children healthier by decreasing episodes of common childhood illnesses and symptoms of illness, including upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs).⁶

Among the 156 children included in the study, those taking Wellmune® had two thirds fewer URTIs, six fewer sick days in 12 weeks, and were significantly healthier with 62% reporting ‘good’ health status.

Adult immune health: Link between stress and immunity

The immune system is interconnected with other systems in the body, meaning lifestyle factors causing stress or disrupting sleep can negatively impact immune health.

Busy, modern lifestyles contribute to increased stress in adults. Stress is often disregarded as an unavoidable part of modern life, despite its unpleasant physical and mental health effects.

During times of stress the body releases the hormone cortisol. Once the body reaches a state of chronic stress, excess cortisol in the blood can cause inflammation and compromise immune response.

The overlap between immune health and stress is evident in consumer purchasing behavior; 51% of consumers who prioritize immune health also look for ways to manage stress levels.⁷

To support adults experiencing high levels of stress, Wellmune®, in combination with Sensoril®, delivers complementary support for immunity and stress management.

A clinical study on high stress populations – including firefighters, medical students and people with chronic stress lifestyles – showed Wellmune®, in combination with Sensoril, maintained overall physical health and minimized the incidence of stress.⁸ Another clinical study on highly stressed subjects reported better overall health and increased vigour in the group taking Wellmune® in combination with Sensoril, in addition to decreased tension, fatigue, and confusion based on the profile of mood states assessment.⁹

Immune health supports active adults

Sports nutrition is an increasingly dynamic and successful market, driven by a rise in health-conscious consumers and demand for performance-enhancing products. In 2024, immune health was the fastest growing claim in sports nutrition.¹⁰

Athletes and fitness enthusiasts can experience a wide range of physical and environmental stressors. Intense and prolonged training can put stress on the body. Over time, as the body releases stress hormones, like cortisol, immune response is weakened.

A weak immune system increases risk of infection and injury, negatively impacting performance and success. A 2013 study showed that marathon runners taking Wellmune® for four weeks experienced a 40% reduction in URTI symptoms.¹¹ Additionally, a 2009 study showed that marathon runners taking Wellmune® experienced a 22% increase in vigor and a 48% reduction in fatigue.

Immune health for healthy aging

To maintain immune health throughout life, consumers are ‘aging with intention’. As the global population ages, it is important to understand how the immune system undergoes decline in both innate and adaptive immunity.¹² As immune health declines, the body is increasingly vulnerable to infection and disease.

The immune system is also impacted by persistent inflammation which accelerates aging and weakens immune response, leading to a cycle of disease and frailty which negatively impacts quality of life.

Older consumers are a key demographic for immune health supplementation, with almost half of adults aged over 60 years taking supplements at least once a day; of these, 50% consume food and beverages that contain immune-specific ingredients.

Conducted during cold and flu season, a 2017 study showed older adults taking Wellmune® experienced reduced numbers of URTIs and days with symptoms.¹³ Researchers also reported significant changes in the body’s response to viral encounters and inflammation.

Immune support: Clinically-validated solutions

For consumers, supporting immune health with trusted, clinically-backed ingredients is essential. Wellmune® has been evaluated in a raft of clinical studies with participants selected from the general population with various physical and psychological stress situations reflective of real-world situations.

The oral consumption of Wellmune® has been shown to train the innate immune system to respond more effectively to unpredictable health challenges. One study showed that within 1-2 hours of Wellmune® contacting innate immune cells there were changes in cellular metabolism, demonstrated by increased activation of mTOR.¹⁴ This two-fold increase clearly demonstrates robust training of innate immune cells’ energy machinery.

As consumers continue to prioritize immunity throughout all stages of life, supplementation with clinically-backed ingredients offers a convenient and effective way to support immune health.

Discover immunity that supports you when it matters most. Download the e-booklet to explore insights and concepts today.

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