Natrol® My Defense® is powered by Arabinogalactan, a larch tree extract that studies show promotes healthy function of immune cells. Arabinogalactan works by stimulating the activity of macrophages and other white blood cells that play a key role in maintaining the body’s natural immune defense system.†


Frequently Asked Questions

What is Arabinogalactan?
Arabinogalactan is a member of the carbohydrate family. It’s a natural polysaccharide that is made up of many galactose and arabinose sugar units linked together in a ratio of 6 galactose units to 1 arabinose unit.

What plants contain Arabinogalactan?
Arabinogalactan naturally occurs in small amounts in many plants and plant-based foods such as fruits, carrots, radishes, wheat flour and coffee beans. In most plants, it is found within the sturdy walls that surround each plant cell. It may be bound to proteins and other complex molecules in the cell wall. Extracting and isolating the arabinogalactan from plant cell walls requires chemicals and mechanical treatments. These chemicals or processes may alter the arabinogalactan to a certain degree.

What makes the larch tree such a unique source of arabinogalactan?
The Arabinogalactan found in most plants is bound to protein and makes up part of the sturdy cell wall. By contrast, Arabinogalactan from the larch tree is found in the center or the lumen of the cell in a form that is not bound to protein. Using a patent-protected, water-based extraction process, the arabinogalactan can be extracted from the plant cell in its natural state.

Where is Arabinogalactan produced?
Arabinogalactan is produced in the United States from the Western Larch and Eastern Larch trees. Both trees are renewable resources on positive growth curves.

Is Arabinogalactan ecologically friendly?
Yes, Arabinogalactan is extracted with water from portions of the larch tree that cannot be used by the lumber industry. The patent-protected, water-based extraction process is completely free of solvents.

Is Arabinogalactan manufactured under cGMP?
Yes, manufacturing of Arabinogalactan is performed under current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).

How does Arabinogalactan support immune health?
The ability of Arabinogalactan to support the immune system is attributed to its ability to promote the proliferation or activity of key cells involved in normal immune function. For example, preliminary research involving healthy adults indicates that Arabinogalactan increases the proliferation and activity of macrophages and other white blood cells.

What is the regulatory status of Arabinogalactan?
Arabinogalactan from Western and Eastern Larch tree is self-affirmed as GRAS for use in nutritional supplements. This affirmation is based on a report of a panel of experts qualified to evaluate the safety of substances added to food. It also meets the pre-1994 requirements of the Dietary Supplement and Health Education Act (DSHEA), indicating that it may be sold in the United States as a dietary supplement.

Is Arabinogalactan approved for use as a food in other countries?
Yes, Arabinogalactan from the Western and Eastern Larch tree is currently approved in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Europe, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. Other foreign food approvals are in progress.

Is Arabinogalactan safe?
Arabinogalactan has a strong safety profile. The safety of arabinogalactan is supported by its daily consumption in common fruits and vegetables, its fermentation by bacteria in the human colon and its ability to rapidly signal fecal bacteria enzymes to begin the fermentation process.

†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.