Can larch arabinogalactan boost my immune system and help prevent colds?

There’s some preliminary evidence that larch arabinogalactan, an extract from the bark of the larch tree, may boost the immune system, which in turn could help ward off colds.

In one of the most interesting studies, conducted in 2010, people who took powdered larch arabinogalactan every day had a stronger response to a pneumonia vaccine than people who took a similar-looking, similar-tasting powder that didn’t contain the extract.

Other studies show that larch arabinogalactan can rev up the immune cells that hunt and gobble up germy intruders such as bacteria. It also boosts other bacteria-fighting activities of the immune system. Larch arabinogalactan may help ward off ear infections, which frequently add to the unpleasantness of children’s colds. 

Studies are underway to see if the extract reduces the number of colds people catch.

Larch arabinogalactan has a mild taste and easily dissolves in water or juice. Even better, it’s FDA-approved as a source of dietary fiber, so you needn’t have any safety concerns if you want to give it a try. It's meant to be taken daily, so don't wait until the first sneeze or sniffle.