EpicorŪ Fact Sheet
Benefits
EpiCorŪ is a unique and novel dietary
supplement used for support of immune
health, with a fascinating history of
discovery. In 1943, a company in Cedar
Rapids, Iowa called Diamond V Mills, Inc.
began manufacturing and selling a
fermentation product from the yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the same yeast
used in bread and beer making. The product
was and still is used as an additive for
animal feed to help improve digestion as
well as overall health in animals. It has
been on the market for over 60 years.
Interestingly, when the company became
self-insured, they became aware of unusually
low rates of illness in employees that
worked in the manufacturing plant for this
animal product. This led to very low
increases in their insurance premiums over
the years compared to other companies,
saving them quite a lot of money. Hence they
began to investigate what might be the cause
of the “healthfulness” of the employees at
the fermentation plant. This investigation
and subsequent research studies led to the
formation of a new company called Embria
Health Sciences, which now produces EpiCorŪ
as a supplement for humans to support immune
system health.1 Doctor’s BestŪ is proud to
now offer the benefits of EpiCorŪ to its
customers.
Beneficial Support of the Immune System and
Activation of Natural Killer (NK) Cells in
vitro*
A comparison study was performed on blood
from 10 fermentation plant workers compared
to that from 10 age and gender matched
controls. The fermentation plant workers had
several immune cell parameters that appeared
superior to the control group. These
included decreased levels of CD8 cells
resulting in significantly increased CD4 to
CD8 ratios, significantly improved cytotoxic
natural killer (NK) cell activity even
though total NK cells were decreased in
number, higher killing efficiency of NK
cells, significantly increased levels of
secretory IgA, increased numbers of EpiCor™
specific antibodies, higher levels of red
blood cell intracellular glutathione, and
significantly lower levels of immune
complexes. These results represent benefits
on various cellular players of both the
specific and innate parts of the immune
system.1,3,4
NK cells are one of the first lines of
defense used by the immune system. An in
vitro study performed on human cells showed
that NK cells were activated after
incubation with EpiCorŪ, as evaluated by
expression of the CD69 activation marker.
The CD25 marker (IL-2 receptor) was also
induced in the NK cells, although to a
lesser degree.1,2 B cell activation was also
noted through increased expression of CD80
and CD86 markers.2 Immediate increases in
calcium levels were evident in peripheral
blood mononuclear cells after exposure to
EpiCorŪ, suggesting increased activation
through calcium regulation.2
High Metabolite Immunogen*: Nutrient Make-up
Production of EpiCorŪ utilizes the common
and harmless bakers or brewers yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a patented
process called MetaGen4™, a multi-stage
fermentation and drying process. It differs
from other yeast products in that it
contains both the yeast itself as well as
the metabolites or “nutrilites” formed by
the fermentation process, which are present
in the media.1 Together the media containing
the metabolites and the yeast are dried to
form EpiCorŪ. Analysis of EpiCorŪ reveals
that it contains a mixture of natural
polyphenols, phytosterols, beta-glucans,
mannan oligosaccharides, fiber, trace
amounts of B vitamins and minerals, as well
as a host of other nutritional compounds.1,2
Beneficial Antioxidant Activity*
EpiCorŪ was tested for antioxidant activity
in an in vitro assay called the Oxygen
Radical Absorbance Capacity assay (ORAC). In
this assay, EpiCorŪ was shown to have a
total ORAC antioxidant level of 610 micromol
TE (tocopherol (vitamin E) equivalents)
units (ORAC units) per gram dry weight,
which soared above other high antioxidant
level foods such as cranberries (93 ORAC
units per gram dry weight) and blueberries
(62 ORAC units per gram dry weight).1,3,5
In another study, freshly isolated human
neutrophils were treated with EpiCorŪ
followed by the free radical generator
hydrogen peroxide. Cells were treated with a
dye that fluoresces when attacked by free
radicals. Those cells treated with EpiCorŪ
showed decreased fluorescence intensity
compared to control cells not treated with
EpiCorŪ, verifying antioxidant activity in
vitro.2
Safety
Numerous safety tests have been conducted on
EpiCorŪ, revealing an extremely safe
profile. Animal studies performed by a
leading toxicology laboratory showed no
indication of any toxic effects of EpiCorŪ.
An acute oral toxicity study on 20 rats
showed that the product was safe when given
to rats at a single oral dose of 2000
milligrams per kilogram of body weight
(equivalent to a human ingesting 280
capsules at once). After 2 weeks the rats
showed no clinical symptoms, no deaths, no
abnormalities in body weight, and no gross
pathological changes. The same safety
results were found in a subchronic toxicity
study where rats were given up to 1500
milligrams daily for 90 days (equivalent to
a human ingesting up to 210 capsules daily
for 1.5 years). Again, absolutely no signs
or symptoms of toxicity were noted in these
animals.1,3
In addition, a standard bacterial reverse
mutagenicity test (AMES test) as well as a
mammalian cell mutation assay using mouse
lymphoma cells revealed no evidence of any
increase in mutation rates after exposure to
EpiCorŪ. EpiCorŪ also showed no evidence of
mitogenicity (inducing increased cell
division) in a human lymphocyte
proliferation assay. This suggests that
EpiCorŪ does not cause over-reactivity of
cells1,3.
The effect of EpiCorŪ on specific liver
enzymes CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 (enzymes involved
in metabolizing certain drugs and other
compounds) was assessed. Immortalized
hepatocytes (liver cells) were treated with
various concentrations of EpiCorŪ and
compared to both positive and negative
controls. EpiCorŪ did not increase the
expression or activity of the liver enzymes,
suggesting that it may not affect the
metabolism of other substances or
medications metabolized by these enzymes if
they are taken simultaneously. It also did
not appear to be toxic to the cells as
measured by lactate dehydrogenase assays and
microscopic analysis.1
Lastly, EpiCorŪ was tested for safety in
humans in an open label study on 15 adult
men and women given a single 500 milligram
dose for 30 days. On various days throughout
the study vital signs were monitored, and
blood and urine samples were analyzed. No
clinically relevant abnormal effects on the
participants were found1.
EpiCorŪ also currently has received
self-affirmed Generally Regarded as Safe
(GRAS) status by an expert panel that
included eminent toxicologists1.
EpiCorŪ is a novel compound with an
incredibly unique composition that has been
shown to enhance immune system function.*
Suggested Adult Use: Take one capsule daily
with or without food.
*This statement has not been evaluated by
the Food and Drug Administration. This
product is not intended to diagnose, treat,
cure, or prevent any disease.
Scientific References
1. Embria Health Sciences (http://www.embriahealth.com/epicor.html)
2. Hart et al. A new Saccharomyces
cerevisiae based product has
anti-inflammatory effects while specifically
activating human NK and B lymphocyte
subsets. Unpublished study, personal
communication.
3. Schauss AG, Jensen G, Vojdani A,
Financsek I. After decades of ingestion by
farm animals, the discovery of a yeast
fermentate with unexpected significant
immune modulatory activity when consumed by
humans. [abstract] Journal of the American
College of Nutrition, 2006; 25(5): 465.
4. Schauss AG, Vodjani A. Discovery of an
edible fermentation product with unusual
immune enhancing properties in humans.
[abstract] FASEB J, 2006; 20(4): A143.
5. Wu X, Beecher GR, Holden JM, Haytowitz
DB, Gebhardt SE, Prior RL. Lipophilic and
hydrophilic antioxidant capacities of common
foods in the United States. J Agric Food
Chem 2004 Jun 16;52(12):4026-3
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