Patent ID: 8426567

Claim:
A method of stimulating an immune response in a mammal, comprising selecting a mammal exhibiting an inadequate or reduced immune function characterized by at least one of a cell-mediated immunity below average in said mammal, a humoral immunity below average in said mammal, phagocyte mononuclear macrophage function below average in said mammal or NK cell activity below average in said mammal, and administering to said mammal a composition comprising an agent effective to stimulate an immune response in said mammal, wherein said agent consists of a modified pectin, a modified alginate, or a combination of a modified pectin and a modified alginate, where the modified alginate or modified pectin has an average molecular weight of 40,000 daltons or less, where the modified alginate or modified pectin is present in an amount effective to stimulate an immune response in said mammal.