Larch arabinogalactan is a new immune-enhancing polysaccharide and source of dietary fibre obtained from Western Larch trees (Larch occidentalis). It is over 98% arabinogalactan, a highly branched polysaccharide with a galactan backbone and side-chains of galactose and arabinose sugars. In product development it is a fibre based stabiliser and even sweetener.

A proprietary ingredient from Lonza AG called ResistAid™ is made of larch arabinogalactan and various polyphenolic flavonoids with antioxidant capacity. It is designed to deliver immune benefits by supporting innate and adaptive responses as well as gastrointestinal health. It serves as a prebiotic and has also been tested against various infections. The WebMD site lists the common cold, flu, swine flu, ear infections in children and HIV/AIDS as infections that can be treated.

Larch arabinogalactan also appears to aid the immune function.  Antibodies are released in response to vaccine administration and so serves as a useful model for in assessing immunomodulatory substances.

Research at Medicus Research LLC has shown ResistAid™ when supplemented at a dose of 1.5g per day in healthy adults increases the IgG antibody response to tetanus vaccine compared to a placebo. The study was a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled trial with 75 adults from 18 to 61 years of age. Two forms of supplementation  with ResistAid™ were tested – 1.5g/day and 4.5g/day versus a placebo for 60 days. After day 30, subjects were given both influenza and tetanus vaccine. The serum antigen response was monitored after 45 and 60 days. The supplementation with 4.5g per day of arabinogalactan did not produce statistically significant improvements in antibody production when challenging with either vaccine (Udani, 2013).  It complements a similar study which demonstrated an immune response to the pneumonia vaccine (Udani et al., 2010).

References

Udani, J.K. (2013) Immunomodulatory Effects of ResistAid™: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multidose Study. J. Amer. Coll. Nutr. 32(5) DOI: 10.1080/07315724.2013.839907

Udani, J.K., Sing, B.B., Barrett, M.L., Singh, V.J. (2010). Proprietary arabinogalactan extract increases antibody response to the pneumonia vaccine: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot study in healthy volunteers. Nutr. J : 9 pp. 32.