What Makes Wellmune WGP an Immune System Booster?

Date 09 Feb 2010 Views 18

Some of you may be wondering: How does Wellmune WGP actually act as an immune system booster? (If you haven't read the article discussing the clinical proof that it does work, you may want to do that first before reading about HOW it works.)

First, the science.

During the last few thousand years of human evolution, your body's immune system has become very adept at killing yeast and fungal infections. These yeast and fungi attract antibodies which then attract blood proteins called complement. Imagine a round yeast cell with antibodies and complements adhered to its surface. Think of the complement as flashing signs that say "I may not belong."

The complements don't do the destroying, they just act as the markers of things that may not belong and might need to be removed. When the complements tag an invader as foreign, neutrophils arrive on the scene. Neutrophils are the body's most plentiful immune cells and act as the first line of defense. Neutrophils do have the ability to kill the invader. But, the complement only marked it as "May not belong" so |how does the neutrophil know if it should continue with the destruction?

The answer is a second indicator. If both indicators show that the substance is foreign, the neutrophil dispenses with it. What is that second indicator? It is a gluco-polysaccharide (also known as a Beta Glucan) found only on the surface of yeast and fungus. So, this process works very well against yeast and fungus, but not against bacteria or viruses since they lack the second indicator.

The key lies in this fact. For neutrophils to differentiate between normal cells and foreign harmful bodies, it must see the complements (signal 1) and a Beta Glucan (signal 2). When neutrophils find both, they move in and kill. Your body's neutrophils are constantly searching for the presence of complement and beta glucans. However, many foreign pathogens do not contain beta glucans (signal 2) on their cell surfaces, so the neutrophils ignore them.

Where does Wellmune WGP fit into this picture as an immune system booster?

Wellmune WGP is classified as a Beta (1,3)(1,6) Glucan - the substanced required for signal 2 to be sent. It is a natural product, isolated from a type of baker's yeast. It is Wellmune's job to supply signal #2 when it is otherwise absent.

It acts as a food for the immune system and an important type of immune system nutrition. Upon digestion, Wellmune WGP passes through your small intestine where another type of immune cell known as a macrophage divides it into pieces and gradually releases the pieces over several days.

Your body's neutrophils detect the presence of the released beta glucans and bind with them, putting them on "partial alert" - signal 2 is given. When the neutrophils travel to the site of an infection, they already have the connection to the Beta Glucan made (signal 2), so the neutrophils only need to bind to the complement (signal 1) adhered to the foreign intruder to begin killing it. Hence Wellmune's nickname as an immune system booster.

Wellmune WGP essentailly tricks your immune system into thinking that bacteria and viruses are yeast or fungi instead. It piggybacks on the natural strong reposnse to yeast and fungi to fight bacteria and viruses as well. In so doing it uses your body's built in natural defenses to get rid of bacteria and viruses that the neutrophils otherwise would not have destroyed.

Very clever idea. And, it is clearly working based on the human and animal clinical trials data to date. Our biggest public health threats are from drug-resistant bacteria and new viral infections not from yeast and fungus. Wellmune WGP gives us a way to have signal 2 "always on" so that our neutrophils can be dispatched against bacteria and viruses, not just yeast and fungi. Stopping an invader early is the best chance of defeating them. So, having an "always on" boosted immune system with an army of neutrophils available goes a long way toward rapidly suppressing foreign invaders.

Wellmune is patented, has a GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) rating by the FDA, is kosher, non allergenic and GMO-free (contains no Genetically Modified Organisms). It also fits within all vegetarian and vegan diets. Wellmune benefits are available in several new products, meaning you can easily and affordably get all the benefits of a true, FDA-recognized supplement that actually WILL boost your immune system all year long.




Wellmune WGP is available in select foods and beverages. It is a functional ingredient in MonaVie Mmun which is specifically formulated with 19 fruits chosen for their immune boosting properties. To protect your family from bacteria and viruses this season learn more about Wellmune and inquire about MonaVie Mmun sample availability.

Andrea K Kropp enjoys sharing the secrets of good health directly with consumers and making complex information accessible. She holds a M.S. in Chemistry from the University of Michigan and has taught at 4 different colleges.