Beta glucans are a type of fiber found in the cells of specific yeasts, algae, fungi and bacteria. Certain cereals including oats and barley also contain beta glucans.
Whilst beta glucan found in bacteria, fungi and cereals have roles in digestive and heart health, the structure of beta glucans found in the cell wall of yeast have been clinically proven to strengthen the immune system.
Over 70% of immune system resides in the gut, once the beta glucan reaches the digestive system its gets swept up by an immune cell called a macrophage and ferried to different lymph organs throughout the body, including the thymus and tonsils. Here it gets broken down into smaller fragments and released into the care of neutrophils – our most abundant immune cell. This exchange primes the immune system to be virus and bacteria ‘ready’.
The beta glucan I recommend in my own practice is part of a wider immune supporting complex that includes Vitamins A, C, D, E and Zinc. Its supported by over a dozen clinical trials and safe for most to take long term.
I get a lot of questions whether its safe to include when struggling with yeast, either due to an imbalance in the gut such as candida, or an intolerance to yeast in the food chain. The short answer is yes. The beta glucan is issolated from the yeasts cell wall so no yeast ends up the immune complex.
Whilst all age groups and lifestyles benefit from making beta glucans a health allies, the studies specifically focused on older adults, young children and those following intensive exercise. Individuals following this type of physical activity, such as marathon runners, are more prone to upper respiratory tract infections (URTI’s) due to the pressure such exercise places on the immune system.
All groups enjoyed an improvement in overall health. There was a 40% reduction in URTI’s, either viral or bacterial, amongst marathon runners and a 2/3 decrease amongst children with an average age of 36 months.
URTI’s have become one of the defining health challenges in 2020. If you would like to learn more about how to incorporate beta glucans as part of your self-care, or to include in your toolkit when feeling unwell, then please get in touch.