The immune system is your body’s defense mechanism that works tirelessly to protect you from harmful pathogens, viruses and infections. It consists of a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that collaborate to identify and eliminate threats, maintaining your body’s good health.
The immune system can be impacted by many factors including age, stress, nutrition and surprisingly, muscle health! In fact, just a 10% loss of muscle mass can weaken immunity1 .
Maintaining a strong immune system requires proactive care and support! This is where an integrated approach of regular exercise and good nutrition including ensuring the intake of immunity nutrients (such as vitamins C, E and zinc) can help. New science also suggests that functional ingredients like Yeast Beta Glucan can also be useful to help prime your immune system to strengthen defenses.
A complete and balanced diet plays a pivotal role in supporting your body's functions and immune system. In cases where it may be challenging to obtain all necessary nutrients through diet alone, Oral Nutritional Supplements can be beneficial in bridging nutritional gaps
Yeast Beta Glucan (YBG) is a naturally occurring complex polysaccharide (aka carbohydrate) that is a type of fiber. YBG is derived from the cell walls of baker’s yeast which is scientifically known as Saccharomyces cerevisiae1.
YBG “primes” the body’s immune cells by activating and enhancing various immune cells*2-5. This in turn supports a robust immune response to combat infections and promote overall immune health.
YBG, when incorporated into the diet, has been shown in clinical studies to reduce the incidence and symptoms of Upper Respiratory Tract Inflections (URTIs)3,4. Individuals, particularly those who are more susceptible to URTIs, had fewer and less severe episodes.
In summary, YGB modulates the immune system, dampening inflammation and ramping up the body’s defense mechanisms against pathogens, particularly reducing acute infections involving the nose, throat, pharynx, larynx such as sore throat, sneezing, stuffy nose and cough.
Protein: Other than being an important nutrient for muscle building, protein is also an essential macronutrient for the production of antibodies and immune system cells to support immunity.
Immunity Nutrients: Choose foods rich in Vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, Copper, Folate, Iron, Zinc and Selenium to support normal immune function.
For individuals who are not eating well and have difficulty meeting their nutritional needs through food alone, use of 1-3 serves of complete, balanced oral nutrition supplements as part of the daily diet can be beneficial. These supplements deliver essential nutrients, including protein, vitamins, and minerals to support good nutrition.
Other than supporting immunity, good nutrition can also benefit your muscle health!
On top of good nutrition, adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, a good sleep routine and avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
Strong muscles are associated with the regulation of the immune system. Given the evidence linking muscles to the immune system, maintaining, or improving muscle health should be a priority. Couple with good nutrition, incorporation of a regular exercise regime can help you preserve and reverse muscle mass loss to keep your muscle health at its prime.
Engage in moderate intensity activities like resistance training, yoga, or even something as simple as climbing the stairs can provide your body with the physical activity it needs. Inclusion of resistance exercises (e.g., resistance bands or weights) as part of your regime may be beneficial to help improve immunity as well as increase muscle mass, improve strength & functionality!
Remember that prioritizing your immune health is not a one-time effort but a lifelong commitment. With dedication and a comprehensive approach, you can surely unleash the full power of your immune system and stay in your prime!
References:
1. Demling RH, et al. Eplasty 2009, 9: e9.
2. Talbott SM, Talbott JA. J Am Coll Nutr. 2012;31(4):295-300.
3. Samuelsen AB et al. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2014 Jan;58(1):183-93.
4. Zhong K, Liu Z, Lu Y, Xu X. Eur J Nutr. 2021 Dec;60(8):4175-4187.
5. McFarlin BK, et al. Front Physiol. 2017;8:786.
*Immune cells include Immunoglobulin A, monocytes, CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells
MMR.2025.67073.ENS.1 (v1.0)
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