Hard training blocks come with a well-known cost most people don't plan for: you get run down and catch every cold going around. That's not bad luck, it's a documented effect of high training load on immune function, and it's exactly what Wellmune® in BIG D is there to address.
Jump to:
- Why heavy training affects your immune system
- What is Wellmune®?
- What the evidence shows
- Dosage
- Common myths
- Wellmune® FAQs
Why Heavy Training Affects Your Immune System
Intense, high-volume training is a genuine physical stressor. In the hours after a hard session, there's a well-documented temporary dip in immune function, sometimes called the "open window" effect, which is part of why athletes in heavy training blocks report getting sick more often than people training moderately. It's a real, measurable phenomenon, not just bad luck.
What Is Wellmune®?
Wellmune® is a patented beta glucan derived from baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), one of the most clinically studied immune-support ingredients on the market. Beast BIG D includes 250mg per serving. Wellmune® is a registered trademark of Kerry Group.
What the Evidence Shows
Beta glucans work by priming immune cells, particularly neutrophils and macrophages, to respond more effectively when they encounter a genuine threat, rather than acting as a broad stimulant. Research on Wellmune® specifically has focused on reducing upper respiratory tract infection symptoms and supporting immune readiness during periods of physical and psychological stress, exactly the kind of stress a heavy training block puts on the body.1
Dosage
250mg daily, as delivered in BIG D, is a standard studied dose for beta glucan immune support. Like the other saturation ingredients in BIG D, it's a daily-use ingredient rather than something you'd take reactively once you already feel unwell.
Common Myths
- "Immune supplements cure colds." No supplement treats an active infection. The evidence base for beta glucans is around supporting immune readiness and potentially reducing symptom frequency or severity, not curing illness once it's started.
- "You only need immune support when you're already run down." The research on Wellmune® is based on consistent daily use, taken proactively through a training block, not reactively after symptoms appear.
- "All beta glucans are the same." Source and processing matter. Wellmune® is a specific, patented, clinically studied form, not a generic catch-all term.
Wellmune® FAQs
It's derived from baker's yeast, so anyone with a known yeast allergy or sensitivity should check with a healthcare provider before using a product containing it.
Not as a standalone product, it's included as one of the six ingredients in BIG D at the 250mg dose.
No interaction to worry about, it works on immune function, entirely separate from creatine, beta-alanine, betaine and Peak ATP®'s performance mechanisms.
Eddie's take: "Getting sick mid-training-block sets you back weeks, not days. Immune support isn't glamorous but it's part of staying consistent, and consistency is what actually builds strength."
Beast BIG D


References
- Talbott, S. M., & Talbott, J. A. (2010). Effect of Beta 1, 3/1,6 Glucan on Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Symptoms and Mood State in Marathon Athletes. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 9(3), 509–514.
This article is for informational purposes and is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement, particularly if you have an existing health condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are under 18.