EC Nutrition

This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study compared the effects of daily supplementation for 6 weeks with 100 mg Carboxymethyl-glucan (CM-Glucan) on physical and psychological health attributes of self-described “moderate” pollen-allergy sufferers. Allergy symptoms [via self-report, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ)] and psychological well-being [Profile of Mood States (POMS)], were measured at baseline and after supplementation with CM-Glucan or placebo for 3 weeks and 6 weeks. We also measured salivary cortisol and inflammatory cytokines at the same timepoints. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analyses of variance (ANOVA). Compared with placebo, subjects taking CM-Glucan had significantly reduced inflammatory cytokines (IL-1B by 22% and TNF-alpha by 40%), and improved subjective symptoms (fatigue, thirst, reduced productivity, tiredness, poor concentration, headache, and feeling worn out; by 39% globally) with reduced negative psychological mood states (anxiety by 18%, depression by 19%, and fatigue by 23%). 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.

 Keywords: Allergy; Immune; Glucan; Mood; Quality of Life

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