Propolis and Immunity

By Ross Pelton, RPh, PhD, CCN

The winter cold & flu season is a time when most people can benefit from some additional support to their immune system. In this article, I want to explain what propolis and discuss the unique and powerful immune-system enhancing benefits of Dr. Ohhira’s Propolis Plus.

The Power of Propolis

In addition to honey, honeybees make another vital substance called Propolis. Propolis is made from resins that these industrious little creatures collect from various trees and plants in their local environment.

Resins are compounds that are secreted by trees and plants when they have been injured. A plant secretes resins in an attempt to close surface wounds, which helps protect the plant from further damage or insect attacks. These resins contain compounds with properties that are antimicrobial, anti-fungal, antiviral, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Essentially resins are a vital part of a plant’s immune system, which functions somewhat like the white blood cells in our human immune system.

The Propolis is produced when the bees return to the hive and combine the collected antimicrobial resins, pollen, and their distinctive contribution, ‘bees-wax.’ This results in the creation of a sticky substance called Propolis, also sometimes referred to as ‘bee’s glue.’

The bees then apply a thin layer of Propolis to the inner surfaces of the hive, which seals and protects the colony from external forces like wind and rain and protects the hive from becoming infected by intruders, bacteria, fungus, and viruses. Hence, Propolis serves as the immune system of the beehive.

I think this is fascinating…how resins are the immune system of plants. Bees collect resins and create a product that becomes the immune system of the beehive. And then humans collect propolis from beehives and make supplements that support our human immune system. Nature at its best!

Propolis Varies by Region

Dr. Ohhira’s Propolis Plus is made from Brazilian Green Propolis. Due to the unique ecosystem in the Amazon, the chemical composition of Brazilian Green Propolis differs from all other Propolis products. In fact, in numerous studies, Brazilian Green Propolis has been shown to exhibit much stronger anti-inflammatory and analgesic or pain-relieving properties than the propolis produced by bees in other parts of the world.

Although clinical trials on the immune system-enhancing effects of Brazilian Green Propolis have not been conducted in humans, animal studies have reported benefits. For example, in a study with aged mice, administration of Brazilian green propolis was reported to have a positive effect on both innate and adaptive immunity. It certainly makes sense that a product whose ingredients provide anti-fungal, antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity would offer immune system-enhancing benefits.

About Astaxanthin

Another important ingredient that Dr. Ohhira included in the formulation of Dr. Ohhira’s Propolis Plus is a powerful antioxidant, Astaxanthin (a-stə-ˈzan(t)-thən). Astaxanthin belongs to a class of compounds called carotenoids that impart the bright red, yellow and orange pigments to many fruits and vegetables. Astaxanthin is called the “King of the Carotenoids” because it is a much stronger antioxidant than all other known carotenoids.

Astaxanthin also provides potent anti-inflammatory activity. In human clinical trials, Astaxanthin has been shown to help alleviate pain in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow. This combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects makes Astaxanthin an excellent ingredient to complement the system-enhancing immune impact of Brazilian green propolis.

Propolis Plus also contains flaxseed oil which contains omega-3 essential fatty acids. Hundreds of studies have reported that omega-3 fatty acids have powerful anti-inflammatory effects and support a robust immune system.

Dr. Ohhira’s Propolis Plus contains a unique combination of ingredients that help synergistically support a healthy immune system. With the winter months fast approaching, consider adding Dr. Ohhira’s Propolis PLUS to your immune boosting arsenal including Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics.

Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics

In this section we 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.
In addition to supporting digestion, probiotics are essential for immune system function. Your gut is your first line of immune response. Approximately 70-80 percent of immune system cells reside in the digestive tract, and probiotics support those immune cells.

To stay healthy, the ratio of good to bad bacteria needs to be at least 85 to 15. Today, due to stress, diet, environmental toxins and lifestyle factors, that ratio is tough to maintain unless you supplement with high-quality probiotic support such as Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics.