Support for immune health across the lifespan

Immunity has long been a cornerstone of wellbeing, setting the foundation for longevity, disease resistance and everyday physical resilience.

Now a scientific breakthrough shows it is possible to train innate immune cells to provide a broad range of protection, priming them to act fast and efficiently as a first-line of defence against unpredictable health threats.

While vaccination against disease works by training the adaptive immune system to recognise a specific pathogen and form a protective memory against it, the innate immune system – rather like the body’s first responder – can be trained to react quickly to a wide range of viruses and bacteria, giving broad, non-specific protection.

This enables individuals to think about immune training in the same way they would about physical fitness training. Immune cells train, rest and then respond in a more optimal way when called upon. They stay primed and ready for action when everyday threats come along.

Wellmune®, a baker’s yeast beta‑glucan postbiotic, has been shown to induce trained innate immunity in multiple mechanistic studies. Wellmune trains innate immune cells to be more ready, more energetic and more effective – before challenges hit. It strengthens the body’s first line of defense, providing broad protection across many types of daily health threats.

Studies show that Wellmune can train innate immune cells as early as one hour following consumption.¹ Literature suggests trained immune cells provide two to three month protection.^2-3

Furthermore, following an unrelated challenge, Wellmune-trained cells also responded more quickly than untrained cells, providing a heightened response between 6 to 12 hours following exposure to a stimulated challenge in vitro. Further research into clinical trials will be warranted to confirm this data.

Growing market for immune-health supplements

The market for immune-health supplements is already strong and indeed growing. The global immune health supplements market hit $35.35bn in 2024 and is projected to reach $76.23bn by 2033, a 9.06% CAGR.⁴

In a growing crowded market there is a need to stand out and differentiate more than ever before. Wellmune is a clinically studied postbiotic that trains innate immune cells – priming the body’s first line of defense to respond more efficiently and effectively to everyday health challenges.

Categories serving distinct life‑stage needs are seeing an uplift. For example, the global children’s supplements market is on the rise with a CAGR of 13.01% in product launches within this category observed between 2020 to 2024, with more than 50% of children’s supplement product launches between 2020 to 2025 were positioned for Immune Health, with this messaging leading the category.⁵

Over 50% of global consumers over the age of 60 years indicated that consuming foods and beverages that contain immune specific ingredients is how they aim to achieve greater immune support.⁶ Furthermore, 86% of those over 60 have outlined increased resistance to colds, coughs, flus and viruses a priority.⁷

Wellmune is well positioned to support these customer segments, and more importantly the clinical evidence shows it provides clinically demonstrated immune support for children and older adults.

What the science shows: Children

Young immune systems are still developing. At the same time young children are regularly encountering new immune challenges, which impacts the whole family.

By training innate immune cells to respond more effectively, Wellmune supports children’s developing defenses, helping families and households stay healthier and thrive day‑to‑day.

A study with children in a daycare setting showed that Wellmune helped keep children healthier by decreasing episodes of common childhood illnesses and symptoms of illness, such as upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). In a clinical study of 156 children, those taking 35mg Wellmune had two-thirds fewer URTIs – 0.5 incidents versus 1.5 for those taking placebo.⁸

Crucially for parents who are concerned about time out of education due to illness for their children and associated time off work, children taking 35mg Wellmune had 6 fewer sick days in a 12 week period.

The average number of URTI symptom days for children taking Wellmune was 2.9, and for placebo group was 8.9. And when reporting on “good” health status, the Wellmune (35mg) group of children were significantly healthier with 62% reporting “good” health status versus 15% of the placebo group.

What the science shows: Older adults

As immune function naturally declines with age, trained innate immunity becomes especially important. Wellmune helps keep older adults’ innate immune systems “fit” and ready to respond, supporting healthier ageing and everyday vitality. Helping older adults stay strong, active and well.

In a cold-and-flu season pilot study published in Nutrition, researchers reported a trend in older adults taking Wellmune towards experiencing reduced numbers of URTIs and days with symptoms.⁹ Researchers also reported significant changes in the body’s response to viral encounters and inflammation.

Athletes and active adults: Supporting athletes to stay resilient

Athletes and active individuals rely on strong immune readiness. Wellmune trains innate immune cells to respond faster and more efficiently, supporting resilience during intense activity, faster recovery and more consistent training days.

In a clinical study researchers reported marathon runners taking Wellmune for four weeks experienced a 40% reduction in upper respiratory tract infection symptoms. Another clinical study found marathon runners taking Wellmune experienced a 22% increase in vigor and a 48% reduction in fatigue. A third study discovered a 19% reduction in severity of symptoms in marathon runners.

Lifestyle stress: Supporting immune readiness under stress

Stress and poor sleep can weaken immune defenses. Wellmune helps maintain immune readiness by training innate immune cells, supporting resilience and helping the body stay strong during periods of emotional or physical stress – helping people stay well, feel well and navigate busy, stressful lifestyles.

For those who experience lifestyle stress, trained innate immunity helps maintain immune readiness, even when life gets overwhelming.

In clinical studies on high-stress populations, including medical students and people with chronic stress lifestyles, researchers found that Wellmunemaintained overall physical health and minimized the incidence, and in some cases the duration of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI). Witnessing a 62% reduction in URTI symptoms as well as a 22% increase in vigor and 38% reduction in fatigue in these subject cohorts.

Overall these results showed reduced incidence, severity and duration of common immune challenges.

Mechanistic data – how Wellmune trains innate immune cells

1. Energy and metabolism changes (in vitro)

Wellmune increases metabolic regulator mTOR activation. Within 1 to 2 hours of exposure to Wellmune there was twice as much energy production capacity.
Wellmune-trained innate immune cells had two times more available energy when challenged a week later.

2. Faster, more vigorous immune response (ex vivo)

When challenged with bacterial and viral mimics:

3× increase in tumor necrosis factor (TNF) “alarm signal” vs. untrained cells for bacterial mimic (PAM).
2× increase in TNF for viral mimic (Poly I:C).
Faster initiation of immune defense over 24 hours.

3. More effective pathogen killing (in vitro)

Wellmune‑trained cells killed significantly more bacteria in an in‑vitro infection model.
Resulted in 50% fewer live bacteria after 24 hours.

Future-facing formats

Leading ingredient manufacturer Kerry can supply segment-specific formats that offer convenience and audience-targeted support. Owing to the fact that Wellmune is a stable postbiotic, multiple format opportunities are possible.

For instance, for children aged one to four years, an oral spray with orange natural flavour would ensure ease of delivery without added sugar – a key consideration for health conscious parents.

A spray could also contain vitamin D as a supporting technology for example. For older children between five and eight, a breakfast immune shake may provide a better delivery mechanism so it can be easily integrated into existing routines.

Kerry is well-placed to respond to market information that shows customer preferences, for example when data shows that yoghurts and dairy drinks are the top format parents look for when choosing an immune support solution for their children.¹⁰

When it comes to an older demographic, Kerry co-partners with customers to help create innovate product formats that contain efficacious science backed ingredients that address a real consumer need.

As immune preparedness evolves and innate immune training moves the conversation from support to resilience, Wellmune offers breakthrough science to help consumers level up their immunity and stay ready for unpredictable health challenges.

This clinically studied postbiotic is well placed to act as the body’s first line of defence. Not only that, but it can be incorporated into products that fit in with consumer lifestyles and complement our existing behaviours.

While everyday challenges differ throughout seasons and across life stages and lifestyles, they all rely on the same thing: a ready and resilient immune system. Innate immune training supports health across all ages.

References