Effect of BETA 1, 3/1, 6 GLUCAN on upper respiratory tract infection symptoms and mood state in marathon athletes

This was a placebo-controlled, double-blind study designed toevaluate the effect of a commercially available dietary supplementon upper-respiratory tract symptoms (urti) and moodstate. seventy-five marathon runners (35 men, 40 women) rangingin age from 18–53 years, mean age: 36 ± 9, selfadministeredplacebo, 250 mg or 500 mg of beta 1,3/1,6glucan (commercial name wellmune wgp®) daily duringthe 4 week post-marathon trial period following the 2007 carlsbadmarathon. subjects filled out the profile of mood state(poms) assessment and a questionnaire style health log measuringhealth status and urti symptoms after 2- and 4-weektreatment administrations. during the course of the 4-weekstudy, subjects in the treatment groups (250 mg and 500 mgbeta-glucan per day) reported significantly fewer urtisymptoms, better overall health and decreased confusion, fatigue,tension, and anger, and increased vigor based on thepoms survey compared to placebo. beta-glucan mayprevent urti symptoms, and improve overall health and moodfollowing a competitive marathon.