Efficacy of a yeast postbiotic on cold/flu symptoms in healthy children: A randomized-controlled trial

Abstract

Abstract Background Children attending school/daycare are at high risk of acute respiratory tract infections. EpiCorTM postbiotic, derived from yeast fermentate, has been demonstrated to improve immune function in adults, reducing the incidence of cold/flu-like or allergy symptoms. As such, studies are warranted in children as available pharmaceutical options have unwanted side effects. Methods Two-hundred and fifty-six children aged 4–12 years attending school/daycare were randomized to either EpiCor or Placebo for 84 days during the 2022–2023 flu season in Ontario, Canada. The Canadian Acute Respiratory Illness and Flu Scale (CARIFS) and study diary assessed the incidence and severity of cold/flu symptoms and the use of cold/flu medications. Adverse events were recorded. Results Total CARIFS severity scores, ‘sore throat’ and ‘muscle aches or pains’ symptom scores in the EpiCor group were significantly lower compared to Placebo during incidences of cold/flu (P ≤ 0.05). Participants taking Placebo were 1.73 times more likely to use cold/flu medication compared to those receiving EpiCor (P = 0.04). The incidence of cold/flu symptoms was not significantly different between groups. EpiCor was found to be safe and well-tolerated. Conclusions EpiCor supplementation resulted in significantly lower cold/flu symptom severity and less cold/flu medication usage than Placebo demonstrating a beneficial effect on immune function in children. Impact Children are at high risk of acquiring cold/flu infections and safe and efficacious mitigating regimens are lacking. Children supplemented daily with 500 mg EpiCorTM postbiotic derived from yeast fermentate had significantly lower overall cold/flu symptom severity, and severity of sore throat and muscle aches or pains over the 84-day supplementation period. EpiCor supplementation resulted in decreased use of traditional cold/flu medication. Daily supplementation with 500 mg of EpiCor for 84 days was safe and well tolerated by healthy children aged 4–12 years attending school or daycare.