Effects of a yeast β-glucan supplement on symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection in free-living college-aged males

The focus of previous research has demonstrated that both oat and yeast ß-glucan benefits immunosuppressed populations. However, previous research has not, to our knowledge, investigated the effects of a yeast ß-glucan on the ummune functioning of healthy, free-living human populations. PURPOSE: The goal of this research was to evaluate the effects of a yeast ß-glucan on symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection in healthy, free-living, college-aged males. METHODOLOGY: The WURSS-44, a reliable, validated survey used for determining symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection was filled out online daily by 79 male subjects between the ages of 18 and 40. Subjects were given a bottle of 250 mg capsules of either yeast ß-glucan or placebo to take daily. RESULTS: Yeast ß-glucan demonstrated no statistically significant effect on the experimental subject population for any of the variables associated with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection. CONCLUSION: Yeast ß-glucan does not significantly improve immune functioning in healthy, free-living college aged males.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Montana

Year

2009

Author dc:creator

• Gorham, Casey E

• immune
• resistance
• ß-glucan
• susceptibility

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/355

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.umt.edu:etd-1374