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Ability of a Euglena Beta Glucan Supplementation to Augment Immune Function

A Single Center, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Parallel Study to Investigate the Ability of a Euglena Beta Glucan Supplementation to Augment Immune Function in Endurance Athletes

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03518281
Enrollment
60
Registered
2018-05-08
Start date
2018-03-28
Completion date
2018-12-01
Last updated
2018-12-05

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Symptoms Cold, Symptoms Flu

Brief summary

Upper respiratory tract infections cause cold and flu-like symptoms and are the most common form of acute illness. Certain populations are at increased risk of upper respiratory tract infections including athletes who train at a high level of intensity for prolonged periods of time. Consequently, some athletes experience higher rates of cold and flu-like symptoms than the general population. Euglena gracilis is a micro-algae which can synthesize many nutrients necessary for human health, including insoluble beta glucan. Thus, intake of whole cell Euglena may be beneficial to athletes by providing essential vitamins to optimize immune function.

Detailed description

At screening, an informed consent form will be given to the potential volunteer. They will be required to read the information and be given the opportunity to seek more information if needed, or provided with the option of taking the consent form home to review prior to making their decision. If agreeable, the volunteer will sign the consent form and receive a duplicate of the signed copy. Once consent has been obtained, the screening visit will proceed. Screening assessments include: 1. Review of medical history, concomitant therapies and current health status (weight, height, BMI, vital signs, safety blood work) 2. Assesses inclusion and exclusion criteria 3. Urine pregnancy test for female potential participants that are not post-menopausal Eligible participants will return to the clinic for baseline assessments. Baseline (day 0) assessments include: 1. Review of concomitant therapies and current health status 2. Review pre-supplement emergent AEs 3. Reassess inclusion and exclusion criteria 4. Randomization of eligible participants 5. Dispense daily upper respiratory tract symptom questionnaire 6. Collect saliva sample for measurement of secretory IgA 7. Collect blood sample for the analysis of cell activity 8. Administer mood and stress questionnaire in-clinic 9. Dispense daily gastrointestinal and bowel questionnaire 10. Dispense investigational product and instruct participants on use 11. Dispense daily study diary At the end-of-study visit (Day 90) participants will return to the clinic for Visit 3 assessments with unused investigational product, completed study diaries, daily symptom questionnaires, daily gastrointestinal and bowel diaries. Visit 3 assessments include: 1. Collection of all study diaries 2. Return of unused investigational product and calculate compliance 3. Review of concomitant therapies and adverse events 4. Check of health status (vitals, BMI, safety bloodwork) 5. Administer mood and stress questionnaire in-clinic. 6. Collect saliva sample for an end-of-study measurement of secretory IgA 7. Complete Product Tolerability and Perception Questionnaire

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTWhole Cell Euglena containing Beta Glucan

Whole Cell Euglena containing \>50% Beta Glucan

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTPlacebo

microcrystalline cellulose, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, water

Sponsors

KGK Science Inc.
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Kemin Foods LC
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

All parties, except an outside person not involved in the study, will be blinded to the treatment conditions

Intervention model description

Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
25 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

1. Body Mass Index (BMI) \> 18 kg/m2 to \<35 kg/m2. 2. Willing to comply with a wash-out period for nutritional supplements known to affect immune function and to not consume these supplements for the entire study period 3. Females of childbearing potential must agree to use a medically approved method of birth control 4. Agree to maintaining a consistent diet and lifestyle routine throughout the study 5. An endurance training athlete 6. Healthy as determined by laboratory results and medical history

Exclusion criteria

1. Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant during the course of the trial 2. Verbal confirmation of previous major gastrointestinal surgery 3. Consuming doses of beta-glucan-containing nutritional supplements 4. Chronic consumption of anti-inflammatory medications 5. Taking antibiotics within 4 weeks of screening and during the study period 6. Verbal confirmation of a diagnosed chronic inflammatory condition or autoimmune disorder 7. Verbal confirmation of Type I or Type II diabetes or clinically important renal, hepatic, cardiac, pulmonary, pancreatic, neurologic, or biliary disorder, or a recent history (prior 2 years) of cancer other than non-melanoma skin cancer 8. Currently taking antipsychotic medications 9. Chronic recurring respiratory signs and symptoms due to allergies (including seasonal allergies) or chronic bronchitis, asthma, or wheezing 10. Use of immunomodulators (including corticosteroids) such as immunosuppressant or immunostimulant medications within 4 weeks of baseline and during the study period 11. Chronic use of Antacids and Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) 12. Individuals who have received or are planning to receive the flu vaccination for the current flu season 13. Active infection or signs/symptoms of an acute infection 14. Heavy use of tobacco 15. Alcohol or drug abuse within the last 2 years

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Incidence of upper respiratory tract infectionsANOVA of 90 day supplementationincidence of very mild/mild/ moderate/ severe upper respiratory tract infection symptoms

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Symptom Duration30 and 90 daysDuration of very mild/mild/moderate/sever upper respiratory tract infection symptoms
Stress90 daysEffect of treatment on Stress via Perceived Stress Scale Total Score
Secretory IgA90 daysEffect of treatment on secretory IgA levels
Natural Killer (NK) Cell Population90 daysEffect of treatment on NK cell population changes
Gastrointestinal status30 and 90 daysEffect of treatment on gastrointestinal status via questionnaire

Countries

Canada

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026