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Advanced Health & Life Extension |
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Beta 1,3 1,6 GlucanBeta glucan is a polysaccharide derived from the cell wall of baker’s yeast, oat and barley fiber, and many medicinal mushrooms, such as Reishi, Shiitake, and Maitake. Yeast and mushrooms contain a mixture of beta 1,3 glucan and beta 1,6 glucan. Oats and barley contain a mixture of beta 1,3 glucan and beta 1,4 glucan. Some products may be listed as beta 1,3 1,6 glucan in the case of yeast-derived products and as beta 1,3 1,4 glucan when derived from oats. Beta Glycan Enhances Immune FunctionLiterally hundreds of studies have shown that beta 1,3 glucan in particular activates macrophages and neutrophils. Exactly which molecular versions of beta 1,3 glucans are more effective and which sources are best is unclear. Macrophages are the oldest and most primitive of the immune system components and provide one of the first lines of defense against infectious organisms. Macrophages recognize, engulf, and digest invading microorganisms, cellular debris, and cancer cells. They are the "pac men" of the immune system.(1,2,3,4,5,6) In addition to the activation of macrophages, it appears that beta 1,3 glucan also has receptors on human dermal fibroblasts. It appears that some of the beta 1,3 functional activity may be due to its interaction with non-immune cells in the body. (10) Beta 1,3 glucans appear to have immune modulation effects on a broad scale. Some studies show that beta 1,3 glucans increase the production of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor and certain subsets of T-lymphocytes. These results suggest that beta 1,3 glucans enhance both non-specific host defense and cellular immune response.(7,8) Toxins from either infections cause leukocytes to release pro-inflammatory cytokines that can produce a series of biochemical events that ends in septic shock. Administration of soluble beta 1,3 1,6 glucans reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which reduces mortality.(9) Beta 1,3 Glucan Protects Against Radiation ExposureIn a controlled study done at the US Armed Forces Radiobiology Institute, 70% of rats given a lethal dose of radiation were completely protected from radiation effects when given a dose of yeast beta glucan by mouth after the radiation exposure. Beta glucan is a free radical scavenger. It is able to protect blood macrophages from free radical attack during and after the radiation allowing these cells to continue to function in the irradiated body and release factors important to the restoration of normal bone marrow production. (11,12) Beta Glucan Lowers CholesterolBeta glucan is the key factor for the cholesterol-lowering effect of oat bran.(13,14,15,16,17) As with other soluble-fiber components, the binding of cholesterol by beta glucan and the resulting elimination of these molecules in the feces is helps reduce blood cholesterol.(18,19,20) Results from a number of double-blind trials with either oat- or yeast-derived beta glucan indicate typical reductions, after at least four weeks of use, of approximately 10% for total cholesterol and 8% for LDL ("bad") cholesterol, with elevations in HDL ("good") cholesterol ranging from zero to 16%.(21,22,23,24,25) Beta Glucans Reduce Glycemic EffectLike other sources of soluble fiber, beta glucan is helpful in reducing the elevation in blood sugar levels that typically follow a meal.(26,27,28,29) Beta glucan reduces the elevation of blood sugar by delaying gastric emptying so that dietary sugar is absorbed more gradually. Beta Glucan DosageBeta 1,3 glucans do not occur naturally in humans. There is, therefore, no established minimum daily requirement. For lowering cholesterol levels, the amount of beta glucan used in clinical trials has ranged from 2,900 to 15,000 mg per day. For enhancing immune function, an effective amount has not yet been determined. Manufacturers of beta glucan products usually recommend between 50 and 1,000 mg daily. For best results, beta 1,3 glucans should be taken on an empty stomach. Beta 1,3 glucans are transported across the intestinal cell wall into the lymph where they begin to interact with macrophages to activate immune function.(30) Studies have verified that both small and large fragments of beta glucans are found in the serum, indicating that they are absorbed from the intestinal tract.(31) Beta Glucan Safety and Side EffectsAlthough side effects are rare, occasionally an allergic reaction is reported.(32,33) Beta glucans are Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA. Beta glucans are considered safe and non-toxic. (34) Where to Get Beta GlucanFor a high quality source of Beta Glucan: CLICK HERE Beta Glucan References1. Fitzpatrick FW, DiCarlo JF. Zymosan. In Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, V.118., p.233-262.1964. 2. Di Luzio NR: Immunopharmacology of glucan : a broad spectrum enhancer of host defense mechanisms. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences 1983; 4: 344-347. 3. Czop JK, Austen KF: A b-glucan inhibitable receptor on human monocytes: its identity with the phagocytic receptor for particulate activators of the alternative complement pathway. J Immunol 1985; 134: 2588-2593. 4. Goldman R: Characteristics of the b-glucan receptor of murine macrophages. . Exp Cel Res 1988; 174: 481-490. 5. Janusz MJ, Austen KF, Czop JK. Isolation of a yeast heptaglucoside that inhibits monocyte phagocytosis of zymosan particles. The Journal of Immunology 198; 142. 6. Hahn MG, Albersheim P: Host-pathogen interactions. XIV. Isolation and partial characterization of an elicitor from yeast extract. Plant Physiol 197X; 62: 107. 7. Seljelid R, Figenschau Y, Bogwald J, et al. Evidence that tumor necrosis induced by aminated beta 1-3D polyglucose is mediated by a concerted action of local and systemic cytokines. Scand J Immunol. Dec1989;30(6):687-94. 8. Bousquet M, Escoula L, Peuriere S, et al. Immunopharmacologic study in mice of 2 beta-1, 3, beta-1, 6 polysaccharides (scleroglucan and PSAT) on the activation of macrophages and T lymphocytes. Ann Rech Vet. 1989;20(2):165-73. 9. Seljelid R, Figenschau Y, Bogwald J, et al. Evidence that tumor necrosis induced by aminated beta 1-3D polyglucose is mediated by a concerted action of local and systemic cytokines. Scand J Immunol. Dec1989;30(6):687-94. 10. Kougias P, Wei D, Rice PJ, et al. Normal human fibroblasts express pattern recognition receptors for fungal (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans. Infect Immun. Jun2001;69(6):3933-8. 11. Patchen M: Radioprotective effect of Oral Administration of NSC-24™. 1989. ImmuDyne, Inc. Unpublished. 12. Patchen ML, D'Alesandro MM, Brook I, Blakely WF, McVittie TJ: Glucan: mechanisms involved in its "radioprotective" effect.. J Leuc Biol 1987; 42: 95-105. 13. Bell S, Goldman VM, Bistrian BR, et al. Effect of beta-glucan from oats and yeast on serum lipids. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 1999;39:189-202 14. Bell S, Goldman VM, Bistrian BR, et al. Effect of beta-glucan from oats and yeast on serum lipids. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 1999;39:189-202 15. Behall KM, Scholfield DJ, Hallfrisch J. Effect of beta-glucan level in oat fiber extracts on blood lipids in men and women. J Am Coll Nutr 1997;16:46-51. 16. Braaten JT, Wood PJ, Scott FW, et al. Oat beta-glucan reduces blood cholesterol concentration in hypercholesterolemic subjects. Eur J Clin Nutr 1994;48:465-74. 17. Davidson MH, Dugan LD, Burns JH, et al. The hypocholesterolemic effects of beta-glucan in oatmeal and oat bran. A dose-controlled study. JAMA 1991;265:1833-9. 18. Wood PJ. Physicochemical properties and physiological effects of the (1----3)(1----4)-beta-D-glucan from oats. Adv Exp Med Biol 1990;270:119-27. 19. Uusitupa MI, Miettinen TA, Sarkkinen ES, et al. Lathosterol and other non-cholesterol sterols during treatment of hypercholesterolaemia with beta-glucan-rich oat bran. Eur J Clin Nutr 1997;51:607-11. 20. Lia A, Hallmans G, Sandberg AS, et al. Oat beta-glucan increases bile acid excretion and a fiber-rich barley fraction increases cholesterol excretion in ileostomy subjects. Am J Clin Nutr 1995;62:1245-51. 21. Bell S, Goldman VM, Bistrian BR, et al. Effect of beta-glucan from oats and yeast on serum lipids. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 1999;39:189-202 22. Nicolosi R, Bell SJ, Bistrian BR, et al. Plasma lipid changes after supplementation with beta-glucan fiber from yeast. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;70:208-12. 23. Behall KM, Scholfield DJ, Hallfrisch J. Effect of beta-glucan level in oat fiber extracts on blood lipids in men and women. J Am Coll Nutr 1997;16:46-51. 24. Braaten JT, Wood PJ, Scott FW, et al. Oat beta-glucan reduces blood cholesterol concentration in hypercholesterolemic subjects. Eur J Clin Nutr 1994;48:465-74. 25. Uusitupa MI, Ruuskanen E, Makinen E, et al. A controlled study on the effect of beta-glucan-rich oat bran on serum lipids in hypercholesterolemic subjects: relation to apolipoprotein E phenotype. J Am Coll Nutr 1992;11:651-9. 26. Braaten JT, Scott FW, Wood PJ, et al. High beta-glucan oat bran and oat gum reduce postprandial blood glucose and insulin in subjects with and without type 2 diabetes. Diabet Med 1994;11:312-8. 27. Wood PJ. Physicochemical properties and physiological effects of the (1----3)(1----4)-beta-D-glucan from oats. Adv Exp Med Biol 1990;270:119-27. 28. Bourdon I, Yokoyama W, Davis P, et al. Postprandial lipid, glucose, insulin, and cholecystokinin responses in men fed barley pasta enriched with beta-glucan. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;69:55-63. 29. Pick ME, Hawrysh ZJ, Gee MI. Oat bran concentrate bread products improve long-term control of diabetes: a pilot study. J Am Diet Assoc 1996;96:1254-61. 30. Frey A, Giannasca KT, Weltzin R, et al. Role of the glycocalyx in regulating access of microparticles to apical plasma membranes of intestinal epithelial cells: implications for microbial attachment and oral vaccine targeting. J Exp Med. Sep1996;184(3):1045-59. 31. Tsukagoshi S, Hashimoto Y, Fujii G, et al. Krestin (PSK). Cancer Treat Rev. Jun1984;11(2):131-55. 32. Rylander R, Lin RH. (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan - relationship to indoor air-related symptoms, allergy and asthma. Toxicology. Nov 2000;152(1-3):47-52. 33. Rylander R, et al. (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan may contribute to pollen sensitivity. Clin Exp Immunol. Mar 1999;115(3):383-4. 34. The Acute Oral Toxicity Study of NSC-24 in Rats. Essex Testing Clinic. 1990, NJ, USA. Disclaimer: The information in this article and on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. None of the products mentioned in this article or on this website are intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information in this article is not intended to provide personal medical advice, which should be obtained from a medical professional. This information is made available with the understanding that the author and publisher are not providing medical, psychological, or nutritional counseling services on this site. The information on this Web site does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, and interactions. Liability for individual actions or omissions based upon the contents of this site is expressly disclaimed. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the U.S. FDA.   |
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