By: Anita Rendulić |
Beta-glucan – the natural activator of our immune system |
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Beta-glucan is a long-chain polysaccharide that possesses incredible property of activating the immune system.
It is usually obtained from the cell wall of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae).
In nature, it can also be found in grains (oats, barley), mushrooms (Reishi, chaga, shiitake and maitake) and some types of algae.
It is considered the most powerful natural activator and imunostimulant which can drastically increase the effectiveness of our immune system.
Activates immune cells
Studies have shown that beta-glucan in the body activates important immune system cells - phagocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils, and NK-cells.
It allows them to act quickly to recognize and destroy harmful pathogens to which we are exposed daily.
It has been shown that beta-glucan enhances the immune activity by 50-120%, already within the first 72 hours after intake.
Beta-glucan also stimulates the process of phagocytosis.
Phagocytosis is the process of introduction of larger particles (for example bacterial cells) into larger cells.
White blood cells use this process for inactivation of bacteria that get into our body and therefore it plays an important role in the immune system.
Numerous studies have shown that beta-glucan stimulates the growth of phagocytic ability of immune cells to destroy foreign invaders.
Beside its ability to increase the effectiveness of immune cells, beta-glucan increases the number and production of those cells, resulting in faster inflow of new immune cells to the bloodstream and body organs.
Fights cancer
Beta-glucan strongly increases the efficiency of the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells.
It works by helping neutrophil cells to recognize tumor cells and initiate their destruction.
Neutrophils are the most common type of white blood cells, making the half of our immune cells. They are also the first to attack intruders.
They can not identify cancer cells naturally, but beta-glucan helps them by bonding to the receptor on the outer membrane of neutrophils and activating them.
This allows them to recognize cancer cells as foreign cells and attack them.
The immune system reacts to taking beta-glucans very quickly, after only two to three days.
But, since the tumor consists of a large number of cells, it can take months to remove them all.
Surgery or biopsy of the tumor increases the risk of metastasis, because the surgically separated cells from the tumor can enter the bloodstream and create tumors in other parts of the body.
Therefore it is important for the immune system to be strong within the first 72 hours after surgery, and beta glucan can greatly help by activating neutrophil cells.
Knowing this, even doctors nowadays recommend taking beta glucan to cancer patients.
Practical application of beta-glucan
Beta-glucan should be taken on an empty stomach at least half an hour before the meal to improve absorption.
For serious medical conditions it is recommended to use 500 mg of pure beta glukan daily for every 25 kilograms of body weight. Taking bigger doses will not result in greater efficiency.
Sometimes, taking beta-glucans can increase body temperature, which means that the immune system has switched into defense mode.
Also, in the first few months, due to the increased number of antigens in the blood, it may temporarily increase tumor markers, but that does not mean that the tumor is growing.
According to some research, 1.3 / 1.6 beta-glucan produced from the cell wall of yeast is more effective than beta-glucan produced from mushroom or cereal.
One of the most famous producers of beta-glucan in the world is Transfer Point Inc. (USA).
Its beta-glucan is considered by many as the most effective, because it is the only one containing over 93% of pure 1.3 / 1.6 glucan.
It can be purchased at any larger drug store.
There are also cheaper products from other manufacturers.
It is important to check the packaging and see the concentration of biologically active glucose compounds (1.3, 1.6) in beta glucan complex because it shows the quality of the products, i.e. its effectiveness on the immune system.
Healing properties of beta-glucan
Beta-glucan may help to fight:
- viral infections (viruses, flu, HPV, mononucleosis)
- bacterial infections (for example Escherichia coli)
- parasitic and fungal infections
- hematological diseases (leukocitopenia, thrombocytopenia) and anemia
- tumors
- diabetes
- allergy
- autoimmune diseases (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, lupus, arthritis)
- chronic fatigue
- lack of appetite
It reduces the side-effects of chemo and radiation therapies, and speeds up recovery after surgery or chronic disease.
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