Efficacy of a yeast postbiotic on cold/flu symptoms in healthy children: A randomized-controlled trial

Ruma G Singh; Vicenta Garcia-Campayo; Justin B Green; Neil Paton; Julissa D Saunders; Huda Al-Wahsh; David C Crowley; Erin D Lewis; Malkanthi Evans; Marc Moulin

doi:10.1038/s41390-024-03331-z

Efficacy of a yeast postbiotic on cold/flu symptoms in healthy children: A randomized-controlled trial

Pediatr Res. 2024 Dec;96(7):1739-1748. doi: 10.1038/s41390-024-03331-z. Epub 2024 Jun 28.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ KGK Science Inc., London, ON, Canada.
² Cargill Limited c/o Cargill Inc., Wayzata, MN, USA.
³ Department of Biochemistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
⁴ KGK Science Inc., London, ON, Canada. mmoulin@kgkscience.com.

Abstract

Background: Children attending school/daycare are at high risk of acute respiratory tract infections. EpiCor^TM postbiotic, derived from yeast fermentate, has been demonstrated to improve immune function in adults, reducing the incidence of cold/flu-like or allergy symptoms. As such, studies are warranted in children as available pharmaceutical options have unwanted side effects.

Methods: Two-hundred and fifty-six children aged 4-12 years attending school/daycare were randomized to either EpiCor or Placebo for 84 days during the 2022-2023 flu season in Ontario, Canada. The Canadian Acute Respiratory Illness and Flu Scale (CARIFS) and study diary assessed the incidence and severity of cold/flu symptoms and the use of cold/flu medications. Adverse events were recorded.

Results: Total CARIFS severity scores, 'sore throat' and 'muscle aches or pains' symptom scores in the EpiCor group were significantly lower compared to Placebo during incidences of cold/flu (P ≤ 0.05). Participants taking Placebo were 1.73 times more likely to use cold/flu medication compared to those receiving EpiCor (P = 0.04). The incidence of cold/flu symptoms was not significantly different between groups. EpiCor was found to be safe and well-tolerated.

Conclusions: EpiCor supplementation resulted in significantly lower cold/flu symptom severity and less cold/flu medication usage than Placebo demonstrating a beneficial effect on immune function in children.

Impact: Children are at high risk of acquiring cold/flu infections and safe and efficacious mitigating regimens are lacking. Children supplemented daily with 500 mg EpiCor^TM postbiotic derived from yeast fermentate had significantly lower overall cold/flu symptom severity, and severity of sore throat and muscle aches or pains over the 84-day supplementation period. EpiCor supplementation resulted in decreased use of traditional cold/flu medication. Daily supplementation with 500 mg of EpiCor for 84 days was safe and well tolerated by healthy children aged 4-12 years attending school or daycare.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Child
Child, Preschool
Common Cold* / prevention & control
Double-Blind Method
Female
Humans
Incidence
Influenza, Human* / epidemiology
Influenza, Human* / prevention & control
Male
Ontario
Probiotics*
Severity of Illness Index
Treatment Outcome
Yeasts*