Beta Glucam

What is Beta Glucan?

Beta Glucan is also known as Beta Glycans, beta-1, 3-glucan, and beta-1,3/1,6-glycan. Beta-glucan is a fibre-type complex sugar (polysaccharide) derived from the cell wall of baker’s yeast, oat and barley fibre, and many medicinal mushrooms.

Beta-glucan is found in the cell walls of many yeast and cereal fibres, such as oats, wheat, and barley. As a dietary supplement, beta-glucan is available in liquid form as well as in capsules and tablets. Because beta-glucan is not an essential nutrient, deficiencies do not occur.

Some scientists believe that beta-glucans show promise in reducing the risk of metabolic syndrome. This is a cluster of condition including obesity, high blood sugar, dyslipidemia and high blood pressure that often occur together and can lead to heart disease.

The two primary uses of beta-glucan are to enhance the immune system and to lower blood cholesterol levels. Research indicates that beta-1, 3-glucan, in particular, is very effective at activating white blood cells known as macrophages and neutrophils.

These cells provide one of the immune system’s first lines of defence against foreign invaders. A beta-glucan-activated macrophage or neutrophil can recognize and kill tumour cells, remove cellular debris resulting from oxidative damage, speed up recovery of damaged tissue, and further activate other components of the immune system.

Beta-glucan may be helpful in reducing the elevation in blood sugar levels that typically follow a meal. It produces this effect by delaying gastric emptying so that dietary sugar is absorbed more gradually, as well as by possibly increasing the tissue sensitivity to insulin. These effects suggest possible benefit in blood sugar control in people with diabetes.

Beta-glucan appears to have all the earmarks of a winning functional food ingredient.

Side Effects and Warnings of Beta Glucan

You should always confirm the safety of any dietary supplement with your doctor especially if you are pregnant or lactating. However, there are no known side effects or drug interactions when using Beta Glucan.

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