Beta glucan is a naturally
derived polysaccharide which has been studied for its anti-tumor and immune stimulating
properties. The carbohydrate polymers known as beta-1,3-d-glucans exert potent effects on
the immune system - stimulating anti-tumor and antimicrobial activity, for example - by
binding to receptors on macrophages and other white blood cells and activating them.
Although beta-glucans are known to bind to receptors, such as complement
receptor 3, there is evidence that another is present on macrophages.
Beta glucan has been studied in blood sugar and cholesterol
management.
Barley, like oats, is a rich source of this soluble fiber.
Source Naturals buy Beta Glucan
product
Beta glucan is a unique polysaccharide composed of glucose molecules extracted and purified from the cell wall of common baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It is used to maintain or stimulate the effectiveness of the immune system. Animal and human cell culture studies have shown that it can stimulate several aspects of immune function, such as phagocytosis and interleukin production. Source Naturals Beta Glucan uses a purification process that removes the manoproteins and yeast residues that may reduce its effectiveness.
Conditions where it may be effective
Cancer prevention or
protection
Enhancement of radioprotection and anti-tumor immunity by yeast-derived beta-glucan
in mice.
J Med Food. 2005.
Intraperitoneal injection of beta glucan was shown to greatly delay mortality in
mice exposed to whole-body X-ray radiation and tumor growth in tumor-bearing
mice. Since the leukocyte and lymphocyte numbers were increased by a single dose
of beta-glucan, the radioprotective effect is probably mediated,
at least in part, by a hemopoietic action in irradiated mice. In addition, both
natural killer (NK) and lymphokine-activated killer activities were
significantly increased by repeated doses. Our results suggest
that beta glucan may be a promising adjunct treatment for cancer patients
receiving radiotherapy.
Cholesterol management
At least two good studies show beta glucan to be helpful in reducing cholesterol
levels.
The effects of concentrated barley beta-glucan on blood lipids in a population
of hypercholesterolaemic men and women.
Br J Nutr. 2007. Keenan JM, Knutson N, Kolberg L, Curry L. University of Minnesota, Medical
School, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health,
Minneapolis, MN, USA.
We
evaluated the LDL- cholesterol lowering effect of a concentrated barley beta-glucan
extract as a vehicle to deliver this potential health benefit of barley. In a
10-week blinded controlled study, subjects were randomized to one of four
treatment groups or control. Treatment groups included either high molecular
weight or low molecular weight barley beta-glucan extract at both 3 and 5 g
doses. Treatment was delivered twice per day with meals in the form of two
functional food products: a ready-to-eat cereal and a reduced-calorie fruit
juice beverage. After 6 weeks of treatment the mean LDL- Cholesterol levels fell
by 15 % in the 5 g HMW group, 13 % in the 5 g LMW group and 9 % in both the 3
g/d groups, versus baseline. Similar results were observed for total
cholesterol. HDL-C levels were unchanged by treatment.
Oat-derived beta-glucan significantly improves HDL
Cholesterol and diminishes LDL Cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol in overweight
individuals with mild hypercholesterolemia.
Am J Ther. 2007. Center for Metabolic and
Endocrine Research, The University of Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela.
To investigate the effect of bread formulated with 6 g of beta-glucan (oat
soluble fiber) on serum lipids in overweight normotensive subjects with mild to
moderate hypercholesterolemia. Thirty-eight male subjects who
were eligible for the study ate an isocaloric diet for a 1-week period. They
were then divided into 2 groups: group A, who were maintained on
American Heart Association (AHA) Step II diet, including whole wheat bread, and
group B, who were maintained on AHA Step II diet containing high levels
of monounsaturated fatty acids plus bread containing 6 grams of beta-glucan (Nutrim-OB)
for 8 weeks. There was a significant increase in plasma high density lipoprotein
(HDL) cholesterol in the beta-glucan group, but there was no change in group B.
There was a significant reduction in total cholesterol in the 2 groups to
approximately the same extent. Plasma low density lipoprotein
(LDL) cholesterol also decreased significantly in the two groups; however, the beta-glucan
fortified diet was significantly more effective (downward arrow 27% vs. downward
arrow 16). The beta-glucan diet also decreased fasting plasma glucose, whereas
the other diet had no effect. Six grams of beta-glucan from oats added to the
AHA Step II diet and moderate physical activity improved lipid profile and
caused a decrease in weight and, thus, reduced the risk of cardiovascular events
in overweight male individuals with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia.
Dr Sahelin comments: Six grams of beta-glucan is a high amount and
quite expensive. Perhaps a lower amount would also help.
Dr. Ronald Mensink, of Maastricht University tested 25 healthy subjects who drank a fruit drink containing beta-glucan from oats and 22 healthy subjects who drank a fruit drink containing 5 grams of rice starch, which served as a placebo. All of the subjects drank the juice every day for five weeks. Compared with the placebo group, total cholesterol was reduced by 5 percent and LDL cholesterol by 7.7 percent in the beta-glucan group. The investigators also found that the beta-glucan drink decreased cholesterol absorption and increased synthesis, without affecting levels of fat-soluble antioxidants. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, March 2006.
Beta Glucan incorporated into a fruit drink effectively lowers serum LDL-
cholesterol concentrations
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, March 2006
We
examined the effects of a beta glucan -enriched fruit juice on serum lipids and
lipoproteins and on markers of cholesterol absorption (serum concentrations of
plant sterols) and synthesis (serum concentrations of lathosterol). Beta Glucan
lowers serum concentrations of total and LDL cholesterol when incorporated into
a fruit drink without affecting plasma
concentrations of lipid-soluble antioxidants.
Sweeteners and beta-glucans improve metabolic and anthropometrics variables in
well controlled type 2 diabetic patients.
Am J Ther. 2003.
A total of 16 male, well controlled type 2 diabetes patients
were divided into two groups of eight; one group received the diet based on the
American Diabetic Association's nutrition recommendations, and the other was fed
a modified, low-calorie diet containing a fat replacer (beta-glucans derived
from oats) and the sweeteners, sucralose and fructose. Both diets produced significant improvements in weight,
body mass index, lipid profile, basal glucose, and HbA1C. However, the
beta glucan diet was superior to the American Diabetic Association's diet in
improving metabolic and anthropometric profile: greater increase in HDL
cholesterol and larger decreases in HbA1C, weight, and body mass index.
Colon health
Dietary supplementation with beta-glucan enriched oat bran increases faecal
concentration of carboxylic acids in healthy subjects.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition . 2007; Applied
Nutrition and Food Chemistry, Department of Food Technology, Engineering and
Nutrition, Center for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lund University, Lund,
Sweden.
Carboxylic acids, especially butyric acid, have been suggested to counteract
colonic diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and colon cancer. To
elucidate how the colonic concentration of carboxylic acids in healthy subjects
is influenced by dietary supplementation with oat bran, and whether the
concentration varies over time and during consecutive days. Twenty-five healthy
subjects were given 40 g beta-glucan enriched oat bran per day, corresponding to
20 g dietary fibre, in 4 slices of bread. After 12 weeks, the concentrations of
acetic, propionic and isobutyric acid were higher and that of lactic acid
lower. The variation between individuals was considerable, whereas in the same
individuals there was little variation. Oat bran increased the fecal
concentration of carboxylic acids after 8 weeks, indicating an increased
concentration also in the distal colon. The concentration of all main acids
increased, except for lactic acid, which decreased. Oat bran may therefore have
a preventive potential adjunct to colonic diseases.
Diabetes and blood sugar control
Beta glucan may be helpful in blood sugar control. The addition
predictably reduces the glycemic index. In a 50 g carbohydrate portion each gram of
beta-glucan reduces the glycemic index by 4 units, making it a useful functional food component for
reducing postprandial glycemia. It has also been tested for
cholesterol level support.
Heart disease
Randomized controlled crossover study of the effect of a highly beta-glucan-enriched
barley on cardiovascular disease risk factors in mildly hypercholesterolemic
men.
Keogh GF, Cooper GJ,
Department of Medicine, the Human Nutrition & Metabolic Unit, University of
Auckland, New Zealand.
Soluble-fiber beta-glucan derived from oats can reduce
cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk through reductions in total and LDL
cholesterol. Barley-derived beta-glucan may also improve serum cholesterol, but
large quantities are required for clinical significance. This trial
investigated whether a beta-glucan-enriched form of barley can favorably modify
cholesterol and other markers of CVD and diabetes risk. Eighteen mildly hyperlipidemic men were randomly assigned in this single-blind, 2 x 4-wk trial
to either the treatment arm or the control arm. After a washout period of 4 wk, dietary regimens were crossed over.
There was no significant change in total, LDL, or HDL cholesterol or in triacylglycerol,
fasting glucose, or postprandial glucose
when analyzed between treatments. The effect of
beta-glucan -enriched barley on lipid profile was highly variable between
subjects, and there was no evidence of a clinically significant improvement in
CVD risk across this group of mildly hyperlipidemic men.
Immunity research
Effects of oat beta-glucan on innate immunity and infection after exercise
stress.
Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2004.
To test the effects of oat beta glucan on respiratory infection,
macrophage antiviral resistance, and NK cytotoxicity it was fed to
mice in the drinking water for 10 d before intranasal inoculation of HSV-1 or
sacrifice. Exercise stress was
associated with a 28% increase in morbidity and 18% increase in mortality.
Ingestion of beta glucan before infection prevented this increase in morbidity
and mortality. Exercise stress was associated with a decrease in macrophage
antiviral resistance, which was blocked by ingestion of beta glucan. Our data
suggest that daily ingestion of beta glucan may offset the increased
risk of upper respiratory infection associated with exercise stress, which may
be mediated, at least in part, by an increase in macrophage antiviral
resistance.
Herbs and supplements that influence the immune system
AHCC --
Active Hexose-correlated
Compound is a mushroom extract that has been
tested as an Immune
enhancing, liver protective and anti-cancer agent.
Andrographis has become popular in Scandinavia for use during winter upper respiratory
infections.
Side effects, safety,
danger, risks
No major beta glucan side effects have been reported in medical journals as of
March 2010.
I have a husband that had heart surgery in 07 and
is taking a baby aspirin every day. I have been told that the interaction
between aspirin and beta glucan can be toxic to the intestines, is that correct?
Also, he has been treated for stage 3 squamous cell carcinoma and I thought that
this product could help him. He is currently in remission.
I have not seen research regarding the combination of aspirin and
this natural supplement but I have not reason to suspect a significant
interaction.