Beta glucan information and health benefit, review of studies and dosage pills of 250 mg, 500 mg
Oat supplement research and its role in immune system influence

Beta glucan is a naturally derived polysaccharide which has been studied for its anti-tumor and immune stimulating properties.

Source Naturals
Buy Beta Glucan 250 mg each pill

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 itn 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 the effectiveness.

A natural fiber, reduces cholesterol levels
Scientists at the University of Minnesota, Medical School, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, in Minneapolis, MN, did a 10-week controlled study to determine the benefits for cholesterol management. Beta-glucan extract at 3 and 5 g doses was given two times a day with meals in the form of a ready-to-eat cereal and a reduced-calorie fruit juice beverage. After 6 weeks of treatment, the mean LDL- Cholesterol levels fell by about 15 % in 5 gram group and 9 % in the 3 g group. Similar results were observed for total cholesterol. HDL-Cholesterol levels were unchanged by treatment.
   Here is one example of a cheap and safe alternative to cholesterol lowering drugs. Another great fiber worth mentioning is psyllium.

Conditions where it may be effective and helpful
Beta glucan may be helpful in diabetes, high blood pressure, and perhaps breast cancer and other diseases or metabolic disturbances.

Breast cancer effect
Beta glucan induces proliferation and activation of monocytes in peripheral blood of patients with advanced breast cancer.
Int Immunopharmacol. 2007.
In human studies it has been shown that beta glucan can influence the immune system and can increase the efficacy of the biological therapies in cancer patients. In this prospective clinical trial we assessed in vivo effects of short term oral beta glucan administration on peripheral blood monocytes and their expression of activation markers in patients with advanced breast cancer. 23 female patients with advanced breast cancer were included in the study. Oral beta glucan administration seems to stimulate proliferation and activation of peripheral blood monocytes in vivo in patients with advanced breast cancer.

Cholesterol influence and blood lipids
Cholesterol-lowering effect of beta-glucan from oat bran in mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects may decrease when beta-glucan is incorporated into bread and cookies.
Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
The study investigated the effects of beta-glucan from oat bran in bread and cookies (study 1) and in orange juice (study 2) on serum lipoproteins in mildly high cholesterol subjects. The food matrix or the food processing, or both, could have adverse effects on the cholesterol lowering properties of oat beta-glucan.

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.
Department of Medicine, the Human Nutrition & Metabolic Unit, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
Soluble-fiber beta-glucan derived from oats can reduce cardiovascular disease 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. 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 cardiovascular risk across this group of mildly hyperlipidemic men.

Diabetes, blood sugar control
The addition of beta-glucan predictably reduces the glycemic Index. In a 50 g carbohydrate portion each gram reduces the GI by 4 units, making it a useful functional food component for reducing postprandial glycemia.

The effect of beta-glucan on the glycemic and insulin index.
Eur J Clin Nutr. 2007.
To determine the effects of oat products with increasing beta-glucan content on the glycemic (GI) and insulin indexes  of oat products, and to establish the effect of physical properties of beta-glucan on these physiological responses. One male and nine female volunteers were recruited from university students and staff, and all completed the study. GI and II of different products were calculated for each subject using the average of parallel glucose tolerance tests and the subsequent glycemic/insulinemic responses for each product. The glycemic responses to oat products with increasing amounts of beta-glucan had lower peak values than the reference glucose load. The amount of extractable beta-glucan had a high correlation between the glycemic and insulinemic response.

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.A diet incorporating a beta-glucans and non-sucrose sweeteners produced a greater improvement in metabolic and anthropometric variables in well controlled type 2 diabetic patients when compared with a diet based on American Diabetic Association's nutrition recommendations.

High blood pressure
Effects of consuming foods containing oat beta-glucan on blood pressure, carbohydrate metabolism and biomarkers of oxidative stress in men and women with elevated blood pressure.
Eur J Clin Nutr. 2006;
To assess the effects of consuming foods containing oat beta-glucan on blood pressure, carbohydrate homeostasis and biomarkers of oxidative stress. A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial. Ninety-seven men and women with resting systolic blood pressure 130-179 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure 85-109 mm Hg were randomly assigned to consume foods containing oat beta-glucan or control foods for 12 weeks. Resting blood pressures, insulin and glucose values before and after standard breakfast meals, and four biomarkers of oxidative stress were measured before and at the end of the treatment period.  The results of the present trial suggest beneficial effects of foods containing beta-glucan from oats on carbohydrate metabolism, and on blood pressure in obese subjects. Funding for this study was provided by the Quaker Oats Company.

Immune system
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 beta-glucan receptor is present on macrophages.

How long should a beta glucan supplement be used to promote the immune system?
    This is a good question but a long term study is not available to give us clues.

Sexuality
Is there any beta glucan research regarding its use with aphrodisiac herbs or tongkat ali herbal extract?
   We have not seen this combination, although beta glucan appears to be a safe supplement and can combine well with most other supplements.

Side effects, is it safe?
No major side effects or safety concerns have been reported with this product.

Books and articles
A book published by Dr. Vaclav Vetvicka has just been released. What do you think of the information in this book?
   We are not familiar with Dr. Vaclav Vetvicka.