A newly published pre-clinical study with human donors demonstrated that Wellmune, the natural immune health ingredient available in food, beverages, and supplements, may protect intestinal barrier function in adults when faced with stress. The study also provided new insights on how the proprietary yeast beta glucan works within the human body and the immune system. 
 
The study, titled “A β-Glucan-Based Dietary Fiber Reduces Mast Cell-Induced Hyperpermeability in Ileum From Patients With Crohn’s Disease and Control Subjects” was conducted by researchers at the University of Örebro in Sweden and published in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, an Oxford academic journal. 
 
For humans, chronic and acute stress can result in mast cell activation. This can weaken intestinal barrier function, which plays a key role in maintaining one’s health. The study measured Wellmune’s impact on activated mast cells in intestinal tissue from humans to identify positive effects on stress-induced decreases in intestinal barrier function. Preliminary data has revealed the novel finding that Wellmune may protect intestinal barrier function by blocking mast cell activation. These new results may have future implications for the understanding of the ingredient’s impact on digestive health issues related to intestinal barrier dysfunctions. 
 
“The body’s intestinal barrier function allows for the absorption of things like nutrients and water, while simultaneously maintaining an effective defense against toxins and pathogens that can be harmful to our health,” explained Donald Cox, PhD, Kerry’s director of R&D for Wellmune. “While these are preliminary results and more research is needed, Wellmune may protect barrier function during stress, which adds another proof point to the ingredient’s well-researched ability to support our overall health.” 
 
The study also looked at which immune cells interact with Wellmune in the digestive tract immediately after ingestion, increasing the understanding of Wellmune’s mechanism of action (MOA). Microscopy experiments showed that Wellmune was found very close to macrophages and dendritic cells in the Peyer’s Patches. Wellmune was also shown to be taken up through the villi, structures which make up the majority of the large and small intestines. These new findings suggest that the ingredient may be absorbed not only in the Peyer’s Patches but throughout the length of the intestine. 
 
“This new study has given us more insight about the identity of some of the cells that interact with Wellmune in the human gut and a greater understanding of the first steps in the mechanism of action for Wellmune,” continued Dr. Cox. “Seeing how Wellmune interacts with the immune system, including its absorption by both the Peyer’s Patches and the villi, builds upon our understanding of Wellmune’s MOA and helps support our findings that the natural ingredient can help improve our immune system function throughout our life and lifestyle needs.”