FOCUS ON IMMUNITY

Propolis and Glutathione’s Contribution to Robust Health

By Ross Pelton, RPh, PhD, CCN
Scientific Director, Essential Formulas


Our current and ongoing viral pandemic has motivated many people to increasingly focus on their health, specifically on ways to support or enhance their immune systems. This article will summarize two products from Essential Formulas that provide significant immune system-enhancing benefits: Reg’Activ Immune & Vitality and Dr. Ohhira’s Propolis Plus.

Reg’Activ Immune & Vitality: The primary ingredient in Reg’Activ products is a strain of probiotic bacteria named Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3, which is uniquely capable of synthesizing glutathione.

Glutathione is known as the Master Antioxidant. It also provides anti-inflammatory activity, and it is a crucial regulator of detoxification. In addition to these benefits, glutathione is also essential for several functions of the immune system.i

Glutathione is required for the proper function of lymphocytes, which are white blood cells that are a critical component of the immune system. Lymphocytes function like a police force, circulating throughout your body, constantly looking to engage and destroy viral and bacterial invaders. When faced with a challenge, the body dramatically increases the production of lymphocytes to fight the inflection. Glutathione is required for the production and function of lymphocytes; thus, glutathione levels are a critical regulator of immune function and the body’s ability to fight viral and/or bacterial infections. Studies have shown that glutathione depletion severely hinders the body’s ability to respond to a viral infection.ii

Recently, a new glutathione-dependent mechanism by which the human immune system activates its immune cells was discovered. Results from this study reported that after contact with pathogens, glutathione stimulates energy metabolism in T cells so that they can grow, divide, and fight off intruders. Thus, this new study reveals that glutathione is a necessary “molecular switch” that regulates the immune system and the body’s ability to respond to an infection.iii

Overall, higher glutathione levels in animals and humans are associated with better health and increased longevity. Conversely, numerous studies have reported that lower glutathione levels are associated with increased risks of many chronic degenerative diseases and that glutathione levels are a biomarker that can monitor the severity and progress of conditions.iv Thus, boosting glutathione levels is one of the most important proactive steps people can take to enhance their immune system and improve their body’s ability to respond to viral and bacterial challenges.

Reg’Activ Immune & Vitality provides a fast and effective method of boosting glutathione levels. The results of human clinical trials have shown that individuals are taking Reg’Activ products containing Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 gain a wide range of health benefits.

Dr. Ohhira’s Propolis Plus is a product from Essential Formulas that provides strong support for the immune system. It is a common belief that honey bees collect propolis, but this is incorrect. The bees collect the raw materials, namely various resins, secreted from the leaves, leaf buds, twigs, and bark of local plants and trees in response to an injury. The resins have been found to contain compounds that exhibit a broad range of therapeutic benefits, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antiviral, and wound healing properties. Over 500 compounds have been identified in propolis samples from around the world.v Thus, resins are an essential part of the immune system of plants and trees.

Upon returning to the hive, the bees mix the resins with saliva and beeswax (produced by glands in their abdomen), which results in a sticky substance known as propolis. They then coat the inside of the beehive with propolis. Hence, propolis protects the beehive from bacteria, viruses, and other potential pathogens and predators. The Brazilian Green propolis used in Dr. Ohhira’s Propolis Plus is one of the most potent forms of propolis tested from around the world.vi

Propolis Plus also contains astaxanthin, flaxseed oil, and Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic extract. Astaxanthin exhibits powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Flaxseed oil contains omega-3 fats, which provide anti-inflammatory and immune system enhancing effects. Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotic section contains postbiotic metabolites that also have a wide range of beneficial benefits.

There is simply no other product that contains such a unique combination of powerful ingredients as Dr. Ohhira’s Propolis Plus. Propolis Plus helps suppress inflammation, provides powerful antioxidant protection, and supports the digestive and immune systems in the body.

Propolis PLUS® provides support for joint comfort, cardiovascular wellness, a healthy digestive system, and enhanced immune function.


i Ghezzi Pietro. Role of glutathione in immunity and inflammation in the lung. Int J Gen Med. 2011;4:105-113.
ii Diotallevi M, et al. Glutathione Fine-Tunes the Innate Immune Response toward Antiviral Pathways in a Macrophage Cell Line Independently of Its Antioxidant Properties. Front Immunol. 2017 Sep 29;8:1239.
iii Mak TW, et al. Glutathione Primes T Cell Metabolism for Inflammation. Immunity. 2017;46:675-689.
iv Lang, CA, Mills, BJ, Mastropaolo, W., Liu, MC Blood glutathione decreases in chronic diseases. J Lab Clin Med., 2000, May; 135(5):402-405.
v Huang S, et al. Recent Advances in the Chemical Composition of Propolis. Molecules. 2014 Dec;19(12):19610-19632.
vi Szliszka E et al. Artepillin C (3,5-diphenyl-4-hydroxycinnamic acid) sensitizes LNCaP prostate cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Int J Oncol. Sept. 2012;41(3):818-828.