β-glucan (beta-glucan) is a class of polysaccharide garnering attention for reported immune health benefits. Beta-glucan can be found in a variety of natural sources such as mushrooms, yeast, algae, cereal grains and bacteria. Not all beta-glucans are equally effective at triggering an appropriate immune response. The biological activity attributed to any one specific beta-glucan molecule may be affected by several factors. These factors include molecular structure, degrees of branching and solubility, differences in molecular weight and solution conformation, and methods of production, extraction and purification. Beta-glucan extracts are preferred since this form can pass through the epithelial barrier in the intestine with the help of specialized M cells, where it is free to interact with other cells of the immune system. The two types of beta-glucans we use in all our nutraceuticals are mushroom and yeast beta-glucans.
View Beta-Glucan In ActionLending structural support to the cell wall, typical fungal betaglucans share in common a backbone chain of β-(1,3)-linked D-glucose units. Along each backbone are randomly dispersed side chains of β-D-glucose units attached by (1,6) linkages. In general, mushrooms contain these branched chains of beta-glucan arranged in triple helices stabilized by hydrogen bonds.
Author of Medicinal Mushrooms, A Clinical Guide, Martin Powell, advocates “In contrast to the relatively inexpensive commercially available beta-glucans from yeast, mushroom beta-glucans have more diverse structures and consequently, superior immunological activity.” Contributing to the vast structural diversity of immunologically active polysaccharides derived from mushrooms, is that many contain other sugar molecules besides glucose and/or some level of bound protein, referred to as hetero glucans and proteoglycans respectively. When analyzing mushroom products for immunologically active polysaccharides it is recommended to analyze for beta-glucans, hetero glucans and proteoglycans.
Compelling scientific evidence exists in support of the use of mushroom polysaccharide extracts for their bioactive and medicinal properties including, immunomodulatory (regulation of an efficient immune response), antimicrobial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities. The use of medicinal mushrooms are gaining momentum worldwide.
To help support the immune system we also include yeast beta-glucans B 1,3 / 1,6 . Using a proprietary extraction process, the beta B 1,3 /1,6 glucan is extracted from the cell wall of a proprietary stain of baker’s yeast. Studies have shown that beta glucans act as an immunomodulatory agent, meaning they trigger a cascade of events that help regulate the immune system making it more efficient. Extracted highly purified Yeast Beta-Glucans have an active and well documented role in immunomodulation of both healthy and sick animals. Studies have demonstrated that yeast cell wall is capable of binding a wide range of toxins. In addition, the finer the particle size the greater the capacity of yeast cell wall to improve immune function and oxidative stress. One of the most notable benefits is a decreased pathogen load. Binding to pathogenic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract preventing their colonization along the intestinal wall.