|
You are here: Home > Info Center > Apothecary > Beta-Glucans
Beta-Glucans
General Description
Beta-glucans are polysaccharides derived from baker's yeast, the bran of cereal grains (most abundantly in barley and oats), and some medicinal mushrooms (including Reishi, Shiitake, and Maitake).
Primary Anti-Aging Function
Beta-glucans are often referred to as biological response modifiers because of their ability to activate the immune system and thus help the body to fight bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic pathogens, Vetvicka et al showed that yeast-derived beta-glucan can stimulate phagocytic activity and significantly increase the synthesis and release of several interleukins and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. In Japan, beta-glucan has been used as an immunoadjuvant therapy for cancer since the early 1980’s. Numerous studies have demonstrated that beta-glucan possesses anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties. The Research conducted on mouse tumor models by Driscoll et al found that yeast beta-glucan, in combination with anti-tumor monoclonal antibody therapy (mAb), significantly reduced the size of tumors and enhanced survival compared to treatment with mAb alone or with beta-glucan extracts derived from mushrooms.
Beta-glucan is thought to be responsible for the cholesterol-lowering properties of oat bran. Results of several clinical trials using beta-glucan derived from oats, barley, and yeast, suggest that regular, long-term consumption of beta-glucan can lower total cholesterol levels and "bad" LDL cholesterol levels, while raising "good" HDL cholesterol. Reyna-Villasmil et al studied the effect of eating bread formulated with 6g of oat-derived beta-glucan on men with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia. Results showed that eating the bread led to a significant reduction in both total cholesterol levels and LDL cholesterol levels, and significant improvements in the LDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio. It also led to a reduction in fasting plasma glucose levels. These findings, together with those of numerous other studies, suggest that beta-glucan may help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Bonus Potential Benefits
Beta-glucan also acts as a free radical scavenger, removing debris and cells damaged by exposure to radiation, chemotherapy, and environmental pollutants. Results of a study by Sener et al showed that beta-glucan reversed oxidant responses to induced sepsis in rats. The researchers concluded that these results suggest that beta-glucan’s antioxidant properties may offer protection against sepsis-induced oxidative organ injury.
When taken before and after surgery, beta-glucan has been shown to help reduce infection. It also appears to enhance the activity of conventional antibiotic therapy.
Dosing
Therapeutic Daily Amount & Maximum Safe Level
Doses range between 40 and 3000 mg daily, depending whether the supplement is used as a dietary supplement (maintenance use) or for the treatment of an acute condition. For use as a dietary supplement the most common dose range is 40-500 mg/day. Doses as high as 15,000 mg per day have been used to lower cholesterol in clinical trials. A maximum safe level has not been established.
Side Effects/Contraindications
None known
References
Driscoll M, Hansen R, Ding C, Cramer DE, Yan J. Therapeutic potential of various beta-glucan sources in conjunction with anti-tumor monoclonal antibody in cancer therapy. Cancer Biol Ther. 2009;8. [Epub ahead of print]
Reyna-Villasmil N, Berm_dez-Pirela V, Mengual-Moreno E, Arias N, Cano-Ponce C, Leal-Gonzalez E, Souki A, Inglett GE, Israili ZH, Hern_ndez-Hern_ndez R, Valasco M, Arraiz N. Oat-derived beta-glucan significantly improves HDLC and diminishes LDLC and non-HDL cholesterol in overweight individuals with mild hypercholesterolemia. Am J Ther. 2007;14:203-212.
Sener G, Toklu H, Ercan F, Erkanli G. Protective effect of beta-glucan against oxidative organ injury in a rat model of sepsis. Int Immunopharmacol. 2005;5:1387-1396.
Vetvicka V, Vashishta A, Saraswat-Ohri S, Vetvickova J. Immunological effects of yeast- and mushroom-derived beta-glucans. J Med Food. 2008;11:615-622.
Important: The statements contained above and in hyperlinked documents have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements are for educational purposes only, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
|
|
