Low-dose of yeast beta-glucan on respiratory symptoms and psychological well-being in moderately stressed adults

Nur Nadia Mohamad Habibullah; Munirah Ismail; Norhayati Ibrahim; Shirley Gee Hoon Tang; Hanif Farhan Mohd Rasdi; Mohamed Faisal Abdul Hamid; Kalavathy Ramasamy; So Fie Tan; Suzana Shahar

PMC · DOI:10.1016/j.isci.2026.115120·February 25, 2026

Low-dose of yeast beta-glucan on respiratory symptoms and psychological well-being in moderately stressed adults

Nur Nadia Mohamad Habibullah, Munirah Ismail, Norhayati Ibrahim, Shirley Gee Hoon Tang, Hanif Farhan Mohd Rasdi, Mohamed Faisal Abdul Hamid, Kalavathy Ramasamy, So Fie Tan, Suzana Shahar

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TL;DR

A 12-week study found that yeast beta-glucan, especially at a moderate dose, may help reduce respiratory symptoms and improve mood in moderately stressed adults.

Contribution

This study provides new evidence on the optimal dose of yeast beta-glucan for respiratory and psychological benefits in stressed adults.

Findings

01

Yeast beta-glucan reduced upper respiratory tract infection symptom severity compared to placebo.

02

Moderate-dose yeast beta-glucan improved mood and vitality in moderately stressed adults.

03

Yeast beta-glucan was safe with no adverse effects on metabolic biomarkers.

Abstract

Yeast beta-glucan (YBG) is an immunomodulatory polysaccharide that enhances host defense, but optimal dosing for respiratory and psychological benefits requires investigation. This 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (ISRCTN 48336189) enrolled 198 moderately stressed adults (PSS-10 scores: 14–26) assigned to placebo, low-dose YBG (120 mg), or moderate-dose YBG (204 mg) daily. The primary outcome was upper respiratory tract infection symptom severity measured by WURSS-21. Both YBG doses improved symptoms compared with placebo (adjusted mean change, 95% CI: placebo +3.42 [0.91 to 5.93]; 120 mg −2.27 [−4.82 to 0.28]; 204 mg −3.51 [−6.06 to −0.96]), with only 204 mg exceeding the minimal clinically important difference. Both doses reduced negative mood states (p < 0.001), with no safety concerns observed. These findings suggest that YBG may support respiratory and…

Linked entities

Genes, proteins, chemicals, diseases, species, mutations and cell lines named across the full text — each resolved to its canonical identifier and authoritative record.

Species1

Saccharomyces cerevisiae(baker's yeast · species)

Chemicals3

polysaccharide YBG beta-glucan

Diseases2

reduced negative mood upper respiratory tract infection

Figures5

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Taxonomy

TopicsPolysaccharides and Plant Cell Walls · Biofield Effects and Biophysics · Medicinal Plant Extracts Effects