Open Accessβ ‐Glucan supplementation, allergy symptoms, and quality of life in self‐described ragweed allergy sufferers
Author(s) -
Talbott Shawn M.,
Talbott Julie A.,
Talbott Tracy L.,
Dingler Elaine
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
food science and nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.614
H-Index - 27
ISSN - 2048-7177
DOI - 10.1002/fsn3.11
Subject(s) - placebo , medicine , ragweed , allergy , profile of mood states , mood , quality of life (healthcare) , nocebo , physical therapy , analysis of variance , depression (economics) , anxiety , immunology , psychiatry , alternative medicine , nursing , pathology , economics , macroeconomics
This randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind study compared the effects of daily supplementation for 4 week with 250 mg Wellmune WGP ® β‐1,3/1,6‐Glucan ( WGP ) with placebo 250 mg/day (rice flour) on physical and psychological health attributes of self‐described “moderate” ragweed allergy sufferers. Study participants (mean age = 36 ± 9 year; range 18–53 year) were recruited before the beginning of ragweed season (September) in Northeastern Ohio. Serum IgE concentration, allergy symptoms [via self‐report, Visual Analog Scale ( VAS ), and Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire ( RQLQ )], psychological well‐being [Profile of Mood States ( POMS )], and physical function ( RAND SF ‐36 Medical Outcomes Study) were measured immediately prior to and after supplementation with WGP ( n = 24) or placebo ( n = 24) for 4 weeks. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analyses of variance ( ANOVA ). Compared with placebo, WGP reduced total allergy symptoms (28%), symptom severity (52%), and symptom rating on the VAS (37%) ( P < 0.05), but had no effect on serum IgE levels. As measured by the POMS , WGP increased participants' rating of vigor (10%), but reduced tension (34%), depression (45%), anger (41%), fatigue (38%), and confusion (34%) ( P < 0.05). Study participants given WGP reported increased physical health (11%), energy (19%), and emotional well‐being (7%) compared with study participants given the placebo ( RAND SF ‐36 Medical Outcomes Study). The WGP group also reported decreased sleep problems (53%), reduced nasal symptoms (59%), eye symptoms (57%), non‐nasal symptoms (50%), activities (53%), emotions (57%), and improved quality of life ( QOL ) (56%), as well as improved global mood state (13%). Supplementation with WGP for 4 weeks improved allergy symptoms, overall physical health, and emotional well‐being compared with placebo in self‐described “moderate” ragweed allergy sufferers during ragweed allergy season.