Beta glucan is a polysaccharide made of glucose molecules. It is found in grains (oats and barley), the cell wall of baker’s yeast, and in a variety of mushrooms. However, we will concentrate for now on the beta glucan type referred to as beta 1, 3 d glucan, the one derived from baker’s yeast.

Beta 1, 3 d glucan

This particular chain of beta-glucan has shown the most promise concerning immune enhancement, anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties. This beta glucan contains a low fat and protein content—the type that medical research states is the most effective kind regarding the above mentioned clinical applications.

macrophages:  large white blood cells that travel from the bloodstream into the tissues, ingesting foreign particles and infectious microorganisms

How beta glucan works, research indicates, is by activating the macrophages. Immune cells already know to recognize and destroy “sick” cells, and beta glucan seems to make the immune system work better naturally. Why is this so important? Agents that stimulate the immune system can cause it to be ‘over-stimulated’ while beta glucan, for some reason doesn’t do this.  Many traditional treatments (synthetic drugs and toxic compounds) will kill both “sick” and healthy cells, whereas beta glucan doesn’t.

Beta glucan supplements

Beta glucan supplements have also been found in medical studies to lower the LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and elevate the HDL (“good”) cholesterol after at least four weeks of usage. The oat and barley types work quite well with this as well as the yeast-derived types. How this works in the bran types (soluble-fiber components) is by the binding of cholesterol (and bile acids) with beta glucan–causing the elimination of these very molecules in the feces, a very useful method in lowering cholesterol levels.

In conclusion, beta glucan has become a very ‘hot’ and exciting topic concerning natural health supplements.  Continue to visit this page frequently, as more information on beta glucan will be added.