| Beta Glucans |
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Beta Glucans
Beta glucans are sugar molecules (polysaccharides). They are
found bound together as a sugar/protein complex. Certain plants
and microorganisms are naturally high in this polysaccharide
compound. The richest concentrated source is baker's yeast cell
walls. (Because there is basically no yeast left in the products and
they have low protein levels, it is considered hypoallergenic.) It is
present in lesser amounts in mushroom extracts and Lentinen,
Barley, Oat, etc.
What it's used for
Beta-glucan is primarily used to enhance the immune system and to
lower cholesterol levels. Research indicates that beta-glucan is
very effective at activating white blood cells known as macrophages
and neutrophils, both of which provide the immune system's first
lines of defense against foreign material in the body. A
beta-glucan-activated macrophage or neutrophil can recognize and
kill tumor cells, remove cellular debris resulting from oxidative
damage, speed up recovery of damaged tissue, and further
activate other components of the immune system. Although
promising, there is no concrete evidence that beta-glucan as an
oral supplement can enhance immune function in humans.
How it works
Glucans appear to stimulate (irritate) the large white blood cells
called macrophages into action. These cells are a primary defense
system for our bodies, identifying abnormal conditions and
activating the appropriate therapeutic response.
Beta glucans are sugar molecules (polysaccharides). They are
found bound together as a sugar/protein complex. Certain plants
and microorganisms are naturally high in this polysaccharide
compound. The richest concentrated source is baker's yeast cell
walls. (Because there is basically no yeast left in the products and
they have low protein levels, it is considered hypoallergenic.) It is
present in lesser amounts in mushroom extracts and Lentinen,
Barley, Oat, etc.
What it's used for
Beta-glucan is primarily used to enhance the immune system and to
lower cholesterol levels. Research indicates that beta-glucan is
very effective at activating white blood cells known as macrophages
and neutrophils, both of which provide the immune system's first
lines of defense against foreign material in the body. A
beta-glucan-activated macrophage or neutrophil can recognize and
kill tumor cells, remove cellular debris resulting from oxidative
damage, speed up recovery of damaged tissue, and further
activate other components of the immune system. Although
promising, there is no concrete evidence that beta-glucan as an
oral supplement can enhance immune function in humans.
How it works
Glucans appear to stimulate (irritate) the large white blood cells
called macrophages into action. These cells are a primary defense
system for our bodies, identifying abnormal conditions and
activating the appropriate therapeutic response.
They literally devour bacteria, foreign cells, dead and dying cells, mutated cells, cancerous cells, and other negative invaders.
Beta glucan’s stimulation of macrophage cells produces a cascade of immune events, boosting immune response, stimulating
the production of immune cells and improving host resistance.
Adding beta-glucan to the diet has been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels by up to 10%. However, like many foods
that are good for your health, when the subjects stopped consuming the beta-glucans, their blood cholesterol returned to pre-
experiment levels.
Beta glucan has also been shown effective in protecting the skin against harmful environmental pollutants, chemicals and UV
radiation, in increasing the skin’s ability to heal itself and in reducing visible signs of aging like wrinkles. The optimal dose of
beta glucan can even increase the number of immune cells in the bloodstream.
The amount of beta-glucan prescribed in clinical trials has ranged from 2,900 to 15,000 mg per day for lower cholesterol
levels. For boosting immune function, an amount is not known.
Beta glucan’s stimulation of macrophage cells produces a cascade of immune events, boosting immune response, stimulating
the production of immune cells and improving host resistance.
Adding beta-glucan to the diet has been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels by up to 10%. However, like many foods
that are good for your health, when the subjects stopped consuming the beta-glucans, their blood cholesterol returned to pre-
experiment levels.
Beta glucan has also been shown effective in protecting the skin against harmful environmental pollutants, chemicals and UV
radiation, in increasing the skin’s ability to heal itself and in reducing visible signs of aging like wrinkles. The optimal dose of
beta glucan can even increase the number of immune cells in the bloodstream.
The amount of beta-glucan prescribed in clinical trials has ranged from 2,900 to 15,000 mg per day for lower cholesterol
levels. For boosting immune function, an amount is not known.