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Woman with Cold Holding Pill Bottle

Answer:

EpiCor® is a branded ingredient produced from the fermentation of "whole food" by brewer's yeast(Saccharomyces cerevisiae). According to the original manufacturer (Embria Health Sciences, which was later acquired by Cargill), it contains number of compounds including beta glucan, a type of soluble fiber. Preliminary studies funded by Embria and later by Cargill suggest EpiCor may increase some measures of immune system function and, if taken daily, slightly reduce certain symptoms of allergy and the incidence of colds or flu among adults, but evidence of benefit in children appears to be only modest and mixed. Larger, independent studies are needed to confirm these findings. For details, including information about the safety of Epicor, see the full answer >>

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9 Comments

Corey18938
March 12, 2024

I've used Epicor for 4 months now, after getting a back to back colds in the fall. I was swayed to try it by comments on this site and by looking at the controlled studies. I'm cautious when it comes to supplements and only take those that have been shown effective and low-risk. I've not been sick since starting Epicor, and there've been no side effects that I perceive. Interestingly, I submitted a review to Amazon saying exactly this and it was rejected; I'd been wondering why Epicor has very few recent reviews on Amazon. I have no financial interest in Epicor.

Adrienne6102
January 21, 2022

Well, so much for studies!! I have not had a cold or flu in six years, the length of time that I have been taking Epicor, and before that I was getting colds and flus an average of 3 times a year. If I have a day in which I feel off and like I might be getting sick, I take Epicor throughout the day, two or three capsules at a time. The next day I am back to normal. I love Epicor!! It works for me, age 78, and I am disappointed to see the quotation marks and the term "slightly" in the above description which I feel is flawed. I have no financial interest in the company that makes Epicor or any company that sells it.

Richard6099
June 16, 2020

I am concerned that Epicor could trigger off a cytokine storm like other immune-boosting supplements such as Elderberry. Do you have any information about that?

ConsumerLab.com
July 09, 2020

As noted above, there is some evidence that Epicor may cause an increase in saliva Immunoglobulin A (IgA). IgA may induce cytokine production and inflammation (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6513800/), although we are not aware of any published reports of Epicor causing or being suspected of causing cytokine storms in people. For more information about the concern about elderberry and cytokines, please see the COVID-19 section of the Elderberry Supplements Review: https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/elderberry-supplements-reviewed/elderberry/#covid.

Martha6101
June 25, 2022

interesting thoughts. I noticed after starting Elderberry that my ME/CFS and POTS symptoms became way worse. I thought it was because of the hot weather, but perhaps I didn't react well to the elderberry. Ugh.

indeterminacy@msn.com
October 28, 2019

I have not had a cold for a couple of year since I've taken Epicor and if I feel a bit of a sore throat I take Oscillo. if I am going into a place with crowds or on an airplane I also take Oscillo .
And all that is the same for my husband as well and we are both over 80

ConsumerLab.com
October 28, 2019

Thank you for sharing this Karen.

Marilyn6096
July 10, 2019

My mother and I have been taking Epicor (500mg) for 4 years. We have not expereinced any cold or flu during ths time period. We both will happily continue to take Epicor on a daily basis.

Patricia6093
January 20, 2016

This is from personal experience - and I have no financial interest in Epi-Cor.

I was diagnosed with CLL leukemia in 2009 (untreated currently classified as untreated watch & wait). CLL primarily compromises the immune system so that there is a greater risk of infection. To help my immune function I have been taking several supplements. Epi-Cor along with vitamin D3, etc.
After adding Epi-Cor to my daily routine I experienced a reduction to the number of minor infections that I was experiencing - this has continued for the past 14-16 months.

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