Beta-Glucan immunity booster.

A new nutritional product comprising 1-3,1-6 beta-glucan is one of the most exciting things happening today in the field of nutritional research.

"Beta Glucans 1-3. 1-6 trigger an enhanced immune response enabling the body's defense system to attack and overwhelm pathogens.

Scientists from organisations as wide-ranging as the National Cancer Institute (US), Harvard Medical School, Brazilian State University of Campinas, University of Naples, even the Institute for Problems of Nuclear Power Plant Safety at Chernobyl, Ukraine, have studied the Beta-Glucan group of polysaccharides. Nearly 8,500 scientific papers recording studies of Beta-Glucans have been listed on PubMed, the website of the US National Library of Medicine."

Natural Pharmacy Magazine - Click Magazine cover for full article

A clinical human trial Published January 23rd 2013 in the European Journal of Nutrition, based on a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicentric study in healthy subjects, proves beta-glucan   1-3, 1-6 helps prevent colds, improves symptoms and increases the body’s potential to defend against invading pathogens: Click for Study Details

Discovery Health. Beta-glucan for Seasonal Infections:

"Beta-glucan is a tool to help strengthen the immune system.
Its effects can include fighting off colds as well as helping alleviate allergy symptoms."  Click here

Allergies - even Hay Fever - can benefit.

Routine medical anti-histamines may cause drowsiness and habitual use of corticosteroid nasal sprays can promote rebound congestion.

Alternatively, beta-glucans can provide safe, welcome relief without adverse consequences.

Fascinating research on beta-glucan 1-3,1-6 for Marathon runners.

This was a placebo-controlled, double-blind study designed to evaluate the effect of a commercially available dietary supplement on upper-respiratory tract symptoms (URTI) and mood state. Seventy-five marathon runners (35 men, 40 women) ranging in age from 18–53 years, mean age: 36 ± 9, self administered
placebo, 250 mg or 500 mg of BETA 1,3/1,6 GLUCAN daily during the 4 week post-marathon trial period following the 2007 Carlsbad Marathon. Subjects filled out the profile of mood state (POMS) assessment and a questionnaire style health log measuring health status and URTI symptoms after 2- and 4-week treatment administrations....

Recent in-vivo research shows further benefits if beta glucan used in conjunction with cancer treatments: Orally Administered Particulate β-Glucan Modulates Tumor-Capturing Dendritic Cells and Improves Antitumor T-Cell responses in Cancer.
The beneficial properties of β-glucans have been recognized for centuries. Their proposed mechanisms of action in cancer therapy occur via stimulation of macrophages and priming of innate neutrophil complement receptor 3.... Click here for more.

The effects of β-glucan on human immune and cancer cells...

In recent years, one of the active ingredients responsible for the immuno-modulation of many of these herbs was found to be a form of complex polysaccharides known as "β-D-glucan", or simply called β-glucan. The receptors and mechanisms of action of β-glucans have recently been unfolded via in vitro and in vivo animal experiments. Since β-glucans have good margin of safety based on historical track records, their potential therapeutic value deserve further investigation...... click for full document

Comparative research rankings for popular nutritional supplements, herbs and vitamins showing beta-glucan. Here is a ranking of Herbs and Minerals in order of the the amount of proper evidence behind them - most at the top and least at the bottom.

This research was then classified for each supplement in relation to the things it helps with. Beta-Glucan was rated top but little known in the graphic on the left in relation to general health.

...beta-glucan stimulates calcium-dependent signalling of IL-8 secretion by human airway cells Click here for research

Colds and Flu - whilst your innate immune system may not be able to protect you entirely, a fully primed system will certainly lessen your chances of catching flu and improve your chances of fighting the virus should you be exposed to it - read more here from Prof. Gerber and Dr Clayton.

1,3-1,6 Beta Glucan is a powerful immune-enhancing nutritional supplement. This unique compound primes the innate immune system to help the body defend itself against viral and bacterial invaders.

Beta Glucan is a scientifically-proven biological defence modifier (BDM) that potentiates the immune response through macrophage and dendritic immune cells to safely yield various therapeutic effects. For many years glucans have been investigated for these immune enhancing properties, particularly their ability to activate macrophage immune cells and, in turn, the T-cells, NK cells and B cells including selected cytokines and complement." More info on Wikipedia here.

Click here for Hazel Courteney's article
about diet and nutrition which concludes:
'Beta glucans are a great breakthrough in improving immune function - protecting us against infection, cancer and allergies.'
 

Dr Paul Clayton is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Medicine and a former Senior Scientific Advisor to the UK government's Committee on the Safety of Medicines and has done considerable research on both the immuno stimulation and anti-ageing aspects of beta glucan and says:

"As with the immune system overall, therefore, a comprehensive micronutrient support programme is a good foundation.

Onto that foundation you can add a second layer of very specific innate immune support agents. They include vitamin D, the trace element selenium, the plant extract beta-sitosterol, and the 1-3, 1-6 beta glucans derived from yeast. These beta glucans are increasingly becoming an essential part of the right modern diet and have other far reaching benefits ranging from skin care to virusprotection." Dr Paul Clayton

Click here for YouTube video on how Beta-Glucan works

 
Full report and references here.