larch arabinogalactan & immune function

What is this funny sounding word and why is it special enough to be included in our probiotic?
 
What is it and how does it work?
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Larch is a special type of plant fiber (highest concentration in Larch tree bark) and a specific polysaccharide that ferments in the gut and colon, as it is resistant to digestion by enzymes in the upper GI tract and helps the good bacteria grow (such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillis acidophilus), while inhibiting the bad bacteria in the gut, which then produces short chain fatty acids like butyrate and propionate.
 
This wonderful plant fiber has been traditionally used as natural medicine, not just for the benefit of the digestive tract, but it has been used for colds, infections, ear infections, and has been shown to prevent cancer cells in the liver from growing.
There are numerous studies published on Larch for immune health, one study published in 2016 has shown that larch, “…is capable of enhancing natural killer cells and macrophages as well as the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In humans a clinical study demonstrated that larch arabinogalactan increased the body’s potential to defend against common cold infection. Larch arabinogalactan decreased the incidence of cold episodes by 23 %.”
 
The study cited also showed various objectives in the trial, including immune responses after vaccinations with blood serum levels tested showing immunoglobulin levels.

“The researchers demonstrated that the preparation selectively enhanced the antibody response to vaccination against Streptococcus pneumoniae and observed an increase in pneumococcal IgG antibodies of various pneumococcal antigens.”.
“These results taken together suggest that larch arabinogalactan can improve immunity by decreasing infections and improving immunoglobulin response following a standardized immune challenge. Doses used in these trials suggest that larch arabinogalactan may improve immune response at a dose as low as 1.5 g/d taken for several weeks; however, more consistent results have been obtained at a dose level of 4.5 g/d over several weeks. This was seen both on vaccine models and on infection-prevention models.”
 
Interestingly enough, larch is broken down and then absorbed through numerous pathways in the body, including GALT tissue (Gut Associated Lymphatic Tissue), and via portal veins, thus producing Butyrate, Acetate and Propionate in the body.

​Larch can, similarly to other gut-fermented polysaccharides, potentially act indirectly through the microbiota dependent mechanisms i.e. rebalancing gut composition, which produces short-chain fatty acids, and/or have a direct effect on the immune system after passage from the gut lumen through the GALT.

An in vivo study on dogs showed that supplementing with larch arabinogalactin at an oral dosing for 10 days showed increase in the number of circulating white blood cell counts, namely neutrophils and eosinophils (a type of disease fighting white blood cell).
 
In conclusion, we have strong evidence showing how larch has its effects both directly and indirectly on the immune system, and its efficacy on the microbiome make it a fantastic prebiotic.
There are also studies showing its efficacy towards; asthma, liver disease and cancer, constipation, ear infections, flu and pneumonia.
No matter what your pets’ diet, supplementing with larch has its advantages, and we encourage you to try it especially if your pet is prone to digestive disturbances and immune challenges.
 
Matty’s Blend contains 490mg/scoop of Larch as well as other wonderful prebiotics!
Tip: Larch is amazing for our feline friends as well- Matty’s Blend can be safely administered to cats.

Cited Reference:
Research article-
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4828828/