EpiCor® postbiotic shown to help support children’s immune health in recent clinical trial
New research, conducted in partnership with KGK Science and published in the journal Pediatric Research, finds EpiCor® postbiotic may help support immune health in children ages 4–12.
EpiCor postbiotic, which is backed by over 15 published studies, has been previously shown to support immune health and positively modulate the gut microbiome in adult populations. This latest study finds its immune benefits may extend to children too.
Cargill partnered with KGK Science Inc., one of the leaders in clinical research in the natural health product industry, to conduct the children’s study.
«Immune health is so important to families,» said Najla Guthrie, CEO at KGK Science. «The statistically significant positive results of this study affirm EpiCor may help support immune health in younger populations and upholds the efficacy and safety of daily EpiCor supplementation in children.»
Completed during the traditional cold and flu season (Sept. 2022 through Apr. 2023), 256 Canadian children ages 4–12 were enrolled in the randomized, double-blind,placebo-controlled study. The research found that a daily dose of 500mg of EpiCor postbiotic offered statistically significant benefits over placebo, including:
Caregivers of children supplemented with EpiCor reported statistically significant reductions in cold and flu symptom severity during 84 days of supplementation compared to those taking placebo (P<0.05).1 Participants supplemented with EpiCor had lower severity scores on some of the more troublesome symptoms, including «sore throat» and «muscle aches and pains» during 84 days of supplementation compared to those receiving a placebo supplement. (P≤0.05) Supplementation with EpiCor limited the need for traditional cold and flu medication. In the study, children who received placebo were nearly two times (1.7) more likely to use prescription or over-the-counter medications over the 84-day study period compared to those supplemented with EpiCor. Daily supplementation of 500mg of EpiCor was safe and well tolerated in a population of healthy children ages 4–12.
In addition to revealing EpiCor’s efficacy, the clinical study pioneered new research on several fronts, including:
It is among the first to evaluate the health benefits of postbiotic supplements in children. It is one of the few studies conducted using a gummy supplement. (Cargill’s initial scientific literature review suggests fewer than 15 studies have used gummies as a format; of these, only five were in children.) The study is believed to be the first peer-reviewed published study to test a postbiotic in a gummy supplement.
«With a strong history of clinical success, this new research on immune support in children continues to underscore Cargill’s unwavering commitment to developing science-backed solutions that aim to positively impact people’s health and wellness across all life stages,» said Dr. Justin Green, Ph.D., Director of Scientific Affairs at Cargill. «By affirming EpiCor’s efficacy in a gummy, we’re also responding to consumer preferences for alternative supplement formats.»
Gummies have become widely popular with all ages, especially children, but not all ingredients are viable candidates for inclusion. Gummy supplements have a higher water content than traditional tablets and capsules and use high heat and pressure in their manufacturing processes. EpiCor postbiotic, which is derived from the fermentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker’s yeast), is uniquely positioned for inclusion in gummy supplements due to its inanimate nature.
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About KGK Science Inc. KGK is a leading North American contract research organization (CRO) based in London, Ontario that provides high-quality clinical research trials with a focus on nutraceutical and emerging health care products. Founded in 1997, the business has successfully helped hundreds of companies with custom designed clinical trials and claim substantiation strategies to move products into global markets. KGK’s other existing service lines include expert regulatory support and compliance solutions, participant recruitment, research support services and consulting services. Furthermore, the company has produced over 150 publications, executed over 400 clinical trials across more than 40 indications, amassed 25,000 participants in its database and collected 10 million data points. For additional information, please visit kgkscience.com.
