EpiCor Postbiotic Modulates Immune Biomarkers Within Hours: Study

EpiCor postbiotic was shown to produce measurable changes in immune-related biomarkers within three hours of consumption, according to a new clinical study published in Frontiers in Nutrition.

The study, conducted by NIS Labs and Cargill, offers new insights into the rapid onset of biological processes thought to be behind the postbiotic’s benefits to immune function.

EpiCor has been shown across 15 published studies to support cold and flu symptoms, allergy symptoms, and gut function measures in adults and children. The latest research helps explain the supplement’s effects in the first few hours, Cargill reported.

“Multiple clinical trials have previously shown that long-term consumption of EpiCor supports immune health,” said Gitte Jensen, PhD, director of NIS Labs and lead investigator. “What excites us is seeing responses at one, two, and three hours, suggesting a coordinated biological response to a single dose compared with placebo. These early mechanistic responses after a single dose may contribute to the longer-term immune-supportive effects reported for this postbiotic.”

In the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study, 30 adults aged 18-60 were administered either 500 mg of EpiCor or a placebo. Blood samples were collected at baseline and over three hours post-consumption.

Measurable changes in immune-related and inflammatory biomarkers, such as pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-a, and more, were observed. The postbiotic was associated with changes linked to specific immune pathways, rather than a broad suppression of immune function, the authors noted. This was in line with transient decreases in CD25+ immune cells in circulation; this change in immune cell activity suggests augmented immune surveillance, according to the authors.

Postbiotics are still an emerging category in nutrition science, and there’s much to learn about how individual postbiotic ingredients interact with the body, Cargill noted.

“Human research exploring what happens during the first few hours after consuming a postbiotic remains limited,” said Justin Green, PhD, scientific affairs director for EpiCore at Cargill. “This study helps fill that gap by identifying early biological responses associated with consumption of EpiCor, adding to our understanding of how interactions in the gut may influence immune responses and reinforcing why ingredient-specific research matters.”