EpiCor (Saccharomyces cerevisiae Fermentate)

EpiCor is a dried fermentate derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast) produced via a proprietary whole-food fermentation process. Per typical 500mg serving: Protein ~25-30% of dry weight (primarily yeast-derived peptides and beta-glucan-associated proteins); Carbohydrates ~55-60% of dry weight including beta-1,3/1,6-glucans (~10-15%), mannan oligosaccharides, and other complex polysaccharides; Fat ~5-7% of dry weight including phospholipids and sterols. Key bioactive compounds include: beta-glucans (primary immunomodulatory fiber, estimated 50-75mg per 500mg dose), polyphenols and flavonoids (concentrated antioxidant metabolites produced during fermentation, including ferulic acid and other phenolic acids at trace but bioactive levels), glutathione precursors and oxidized glutathione metabolites, nucleotides (adenine, guanine, cytosine, uracil derivatives), B-vitamins including B1 (thiamine ~0.1mg/g), B2 (riboflavin ~0.04mg/g), B3 (niacin ~0.3mg/g), B5, B6, and folate at trace levels; minerals including zinc (~0.05mg/g), selenium (variable, ~0.5-2mcg/g), chromium, iron, and magnesium at low concentrations. Bioavailability: Beta-glucans are not fully absorbed but act prebiotically in the gut; polyphenolic metabolites show enhanced bioavailability compared to unfermented yeast due to fermentation-mediated breakdown of cell walls; nucleotides are readily absorbed in the small intestine. The fermentation process significantly increases the bioactivity and bioaccessibility of antioxidant compounds compared to raw yeast.