Every cold and flu season, practitioners and patients all want the same thing—either to sail through the season without needing to use up sick days or missing out on family events, or to recover quickly if they do happen to catch something.

But the truth is, when your patients are looking for strong solutions, they may feel like their options are limited. They may ask themselves, “Do I take something that’s safe, but doesn’t seem to work all that well, or do I take something that claims to be strong, but might knock me out or rev me up?” Fortunately for your patients, “safe” and “effective” are not mutually exclusive. There is a better option that combines safety and efficacy, while also helping to build immune resilience.

Pleuran, a Unique Compound to Oyster Mushrooms

While mushrooms have been part of culinary and medical traditions for generations, we’re only beginning to unravel why they work so well. In this case, extensive research has revealed beneficial properties unique to oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus).

This mushroom—and only this mushroom—produces specialized beta glucans called pleuran, which interacts with Peyer’s patches, specialized lymphoid tissue in the small intestine that helps with immune surveillance and response. As pleuran travels through the digestive system, its interactions with these immune cells and receptors signals our own natural immune defenses to spring into action.¹

These actions are particularly helpful in acute cases when the desire for quick relief and recovery is essential, because this bioactive compound delivers bronchial, respiratory, sinus, ear, and throat support when your patients need it now.

Clinically Proven Immune Strengthening Action

You may have patients that seem to come down with a cold or flu after physically demanding weekends of exercise or chores. It’s a fairly common issue. Even though being physically active is an absolute must for having a healthy life, exercise can temporarily deplete the strength and resilience of the immune system, leaving a person open to upper respiratory infections, flus, and other illnesses. Pleuran from oyster mushrooms addresses that very problem.

Placebo-controlled clinical studies show that oyster mushroom pleuran preserves infection-fighting levels of natural killer (NK) cells after periods of intensive exercise and strengthens white blood cell activity. Not surprisingly, pleuran help prevent upper respiratory tract infections, whereas participants in the placebo group saw their NK levels drop by 28 percent, making them much more prone to illness.^2,3

Pleuran from oyster mushrooms has also been shown to be incredibly effective in preventing or reducing the symptoms that accompany herpes (HSV-1) flare-ups. This is good news for any patient who uses conventional drugs for the condition, because in much the same way that antibiotics can cause bacterial resistance, long-term use of the antiviral medication acyclovir for herpes can cause viral resistance. Plus, patients struggling with herpes often develop respiratory flu-like symptoms because their immune system is already taxed. Pleuran can help.

In a clinical study, participants with HSV-1 were provided with either a placebo or a combination of pleuran, vitamin C, and zinc for the first 10 days of the treatment. When combined, these nutrients help jump start the immune response to intercept, prevent, or reduce symptoms.

The results came quickly. Within only five days, a higher proportion of individuals in the treatment group were already free of symptoms.⁴

The Right Level of Support: An Immune Adaptogen

Pleuran from oyster mushrooms could easily be considered an immune adaptogen due to its immunomodulatory actions. It helps support immune strength, resilience, and balance. Even in cases of autoimmune conditions, too. For example, individuals with Crohn’s disease are often susceptible to other infections, including respiratory illnesses, even though their primary concern is centered in the digestive tract. This susceptibility can be due to treatments like immune-suppressing medications or simply because having an autoimmune condition can cause impaired immune defenses.

Fortunately, a double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical study reported that pleuran significantly prevented other secondary illnesses during the 12-month regimen. It worked well with the participant’s conventional medication and did not trigger any Crohn’s symptoms.⁵ Plus, it has been shown to work well with conventional recommendations for immune support, so it has a wide range of applications beyond respiratory health.⁶

The Synergy of Vitamin C and Zinc

Vitamin C is probably one of the best-known immune boosters and one that your patients are certain to feel comfortable taking in a regimen. Taken as a preventative nutrient, it may reduce the incidence of illnesses and speed recovery. Vitamin C also has a natural antihistamine effect and can alleviate allergies and other respiratory symptoms.^7-9

If your patients aren’t getting enough vitamin C, it is key that they supplement with it at the first signs of illness, because this vital nutrient can be rapidly depleted during acute infections. In one case, out of a group of COVID-19 patients, over 94 percent had undetectable levels of vitamin C, likely because the nutrient was exhausted from their systems in its effort to fight the disease.¹⁰

Zinc is also recommended for illnesses ranging from seasonal flu viruses to COVID-19. Zinc interrupts viral replication cycles, preventing them from making copies of themselves, and keeps immune defenses strong.^11-13

Researchers who pooled the results of three clinical studies found that zinc reduced the duration of cold symptoms by 42 percent compared to a placebo. But, like vitamin C, the timing of zinc intake is critical. These same researchers also noted that getting zinc on board in a regimen at the first sign of symptoms is what accounts for results within the first 24 hours.^14,15

Pleuran from Oyster Mushrooms for Fast Treatment and Recovery

The clinically studied pleuran from oyster mushrooms that I’ve been discussing here works extremely well for acute relief in adults in combination with vitamin C and zinc at the following dosage: 300 mg pleuran, 160 mg of vitamin C, and 10 mg of zinc for five days on an empty stomach. So whenever your patients start feeling under the weather, urge them to try this combination. They’ll feel like themselves again sooner than they expect.

References:

1. van Steenwijk HP, Bast A, de Boer A. Immunomodulating Effects of Fungal Beta-Glucans: From Traditional Use to Medicine. Nutrients. 2021 Apr 17;13(4):1333. doi: 10.3390/nu13041333. PMID: 33920583; PMCID: PMC8072893.
2. Bobovčák M, Kuniaková R, Gabriž J, Majtán J. Effect of Pleuran (β-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus) supplementation on cellular immune response after intensive exercise in elite athletes. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2010 Dec;35(6):755-62. doi: 10.1139/H10-070. PMID: 21164546.
3. Bergendiova K, Tibenska E, Majtan J. Pleuran (β-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus) supplementation, cellular immune response and respiratory tract infections in athletes. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2011 Sep;111(9):2033-40. doi: 10.1007/s00421-011-1837-z. Epub 2011 Jan 20. PMID: 21249381.
4. Urbancikova I, Hudackova D, Majtan J, Rennerova Z, Banovcin P, Jesenak M. Efficacy of Pleuran (β-Glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus) in the Management of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Infection. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2020 Apr 13;2020:8562309. doi: 10.1155/2020/8562309. PMID: 32419831; PMCID: PMC7201855.
5. Batovsky M, Zamborsky T, Khaled R, Desatova B, Kadleckova B. Beta-(1,3/1,6)-d-glucan helps to decrease opportunistic infections in Crohn’s disease patients treated with biological therapy. Arch Clin Gastroenterol. 2015;1:005–008.
6. Jesenak M, Urbancikova I, Banovcin P. Respiratory Tract Infections and the Role of Biologically Active Polysaccharides in Their Management and Prevention. Nutrients. 2017 Jul 20;9(7):779. doi: 10.3390/nu9070779. PMID: 28726737; PMCID: PMC5537893.
7. Carr AC, Maggini S. Vitamin C and Immune Function. Nutrients. 2017;9(11):1211. Published 2017 Nov 3. doi:10.3390/nu9111211 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5707683/
8. Hunt C, Chakravorty NK, Annan G, Habibzadeh N, Schorah CJ. The clinical effects of vitamin C supplementation in elderly hospitalised patients with acute respiratory infections. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 1994;64(3):212-9. PMID: 7814237.
9. Berger MM, Herter-Aeberli I, Zimmermann MB, Spieldenner J, Eggersdorfer M. Strengthening the immunity of the Swiss population with micronutrients: A narrative review and call for action. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2021 Jun;43:39-48. doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.03.012. Epub 2021 Mar 24. PMID: 34024545; PMCID: PMC7987506.
10. Chiscano-Camón L, Ruiz-Rodriguez JC, Ruiz-Sanmartin A, Roca O, Ferrer R. Vitamin C levels in patients with SARS-CoV-2-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome. Crit Care. 2020;24(1):522. Published 2020 Aug 26. doi:10.1186/s13054-020-03249-y
11. Keflie TS, Biesalski HK. Micronutrients and bioactive substances: Their potential roles in combating COVID-19. Nutrition. 2021 Apr;84:111103. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2020.111103. Epub 2020 Dec 4. PMID: 33450678; PMCID: PMC7717879.
12. Kido H, Okumura Y, Yamada H, Le TQ, Yano M. Proteases essential for human influenza virus entry into cells and their inhibitors as potential therapeutic agents. Curr Pharm Des. 2007;13(4):405-14. doi: 10.2174/138161207780162971. PMID: 17311557.
13. Keflie TS, Biesalski HK. Micronutrients and bioactive substances: Their potential roles in combating COVID-19. Nutrition. 2021 Apr;84:111103. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2020.111103. Epub 2020 Dec 4. PMID: 33450678; PMCID: PMC7717879.
14. Hemilä H. Zinc lozenges may shorten the duration of colds: a systematic review. Open Respir Med J. 2011;5:51-8. doi: 10.2174/1874306401105010051. Epub 2011 Jun 23. PMID: 21769305; PMCID: PMC3136969.
15. Godfrey JC, Conant Sloane B, Smith DS, Turco JH, Mercer N, Godfrey NJ. Zinc gluconate and the common cold: a controlled clinical study. J Int Med Res. 1992 Jun;20(3):234-46. doi: 10.1177/030006059202000305. PMID: 1397668.

[sidebar]

Why Pleuran from Oyster Mushrooms?

Pleuran is a unique beta glucan from oyster mushrooms. Beta glucans are polysaccharides that form part of the cell walls of various plants. For example, there are oat beta glucans, mushroom beta glucans, and a variety of beta glucans from seeds. So what makes oyster mushroom beta glucan—pleuran—so special? It’s very structure.

Unlike beta glucans from other sources, the structure of pleuran from oyster mushrooms means that it is recognized by receptors on immune cells in the body and helps alert and activate immune defenses in a way that is unique. In this way, pleuran helps strengthen the immune system like no other compound.

[end sidebar]

About Dr. Lexi Loch

Dr. Lexi Loch, ND received her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from the National University of Natural Medicine, where she graduated with highest honors. In addition to her practice, she is a medical writer and editor, researcher, educator, and patient advocate. Her articles have been published in various natural health periodicals and reference books. Prior to her education as a physician, Dr. Loch worked in veterinary medicine as a certified veterinary technician.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Any information provided or opinions made in email advertisements are not necessarily those of VRM Media or its owners. Publisher is not liable for advertiser product claims or representations. Advertisers assume total responsibility for the contents of their advertisements.