Thymus extract

• The thymus is a lobular gland located under the breastbone near the thyroid gland that plays a role in immune function. With age, the thymus is replaced by fat and connective tissue.
• According to legend, glandular or organotherapy, which refers to the use of animal tissues or cell preparations to improve physiologic functioning and support the natural healing process, first gained popularity in the early to mid 1900s. The idea of homeopathic glandular therapy was first introduced almost 200 years ago. Thymus extracts for nutritional supplements usually come from young calves (bovine). Bovine thymus extracts are found in capsules and tablets as dietary supplements.
• Thymus extract is commonly used to stimulate the immune system and to treat bone marrow failure, autoimmune disorders, chronic skin diseases, recurrent viral and bacterial infections, hepatitis, allergies, chemotherapy side effects, and cancer. Most basic and clinical research involving oral and injectable thymus extract has been conducted in Europe.
• Studies in humans suggest promising results in terms of allergies, asthma, cancer, chemotherapeutic side effects, cardiomyopathy (weakening of the heart muscle), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, HIV/AIDS, liver disease, respiratory tract infections, systemic lupus erythematosus, and tuberculosis and to stimulate the immune system However, not all study results agree, and more well designed studies are still needed in many fields.