Before proceeding further, let’s address some frequently asked questions.
I am allergic to yeast. Will this cause a problem?
No. Although derived from baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces ceravisiae), Beta glucan is a pure isolate and does not contain enough yeast proteins to cause an allergic reaction.
Are the effects of beta 1, 3-D glucan backed by scientific research?
Hundreds of scientific studies originating from such prestigious institutions as Tulane, Harvard, and the U.S. Armed Forces attest to the safety and efficacy of Beta 1, 3-D glucan.
Why haven’t we heard about Beta glucan before?
For nearly three decades, Beta 1, 3-D glucan has been available to laboratories and medical schools. However, to purchase 1 (one) 100-mg sample of beta 1, 3-D glucan, the cost was close to $200. This made it highly prohibitive from a commercial.
The reason Aktivated Barley was added to the Power Barley Formula and is offered in the Essential Protein Formula is due to the beta glucan content from that type of barley.
Is Beta glucan derived from baker’s yeast the most effective?
Glucans derived from barley, oats, or other grains have been shown to be ineffective as an immune modulator. Only Beta 1, 3-D glucan from the cell wall of baker’s yeast has been shown to have a potent effect on the immune system, in an economical manner.
Will Beta glucan cause over-stimulation of my immune system?
No. The presence of beta glucan potentiates the receptors on the surface of the macrophage. Only the presence of non-self (virus, bacteria, fungi, cancer, parasites, etc.) causes the macrophage to become stimulated. Beta glucan alone does not stimulate.
Will Beta 1, 3-D glucan cause or expand an autoimmune situation?
Beta 1, 3-D glucan does not create danger. Considerable peer reviewed data indicates just the opposite.
Are there any drug reactions that can occur when taking Beta glucan?
There are no adverse effects known when Beta 1, 3-D glucan is taken in conjunction with pharmaceutical drugs. Beta 1, 3-D glucan safely enhances the effect of many anti-infective drugs, cholesterol reducing drugs and chemotherapeutic agents.
Why take Beta 1, 3-D glucan?
If you have anxiety or sleep issues, there is a reason and those reasons will be discussed in the next article. It is important to first understand what Beta 1, 3-D glucan is doing within the body.
Beta glucan has been shown to directly increase hematopoiesis. Hematopoiesis is the process by which your bone marrow produces stem cells. Stem cells are one of the most vital needs of your immune system, because stem cells ultimately become white blood cells. Specialized types of white blood cells are called phagocytes; these include macrophages, neutrophils, and eosenophils. One function of these phagocytes is to engulf invaders (or any foreign substance) immediately, without question. This process is called phagocytosis.
Phagocytosis has also been tested and shown to be enhanced by beta glucan. The phagocyte’s ability to engulf foreign substances is very important. The faster phagocytosis happens, the more debris the phagocyte can destroy. When a phagocyte digests an invader, it notifies the proper authorities (T cells), to let them know there is a foreign substance present. The T cells decide the best action to pursue in order to relieve the body of this foreign substance. Once the phagocyte presents the debris of the invader, the T cells have one of three options.
- Initiate a Humoral Immune Response, using acquired immunity, B cells, and antibodies. The antibodies are specific and use a chemical process to identify the invader and fight it. However, the antibodies are not produced or ready to use for the body for about 21 days. This type of immune response is most typically associated with vaccine.
- Initiate a Cell Mediated Immune Response, alongside innate immunity’s phagocytes and natural killer cells. These immune cells fight hand to hand with the invader, using ROIs, NOIs, and stomachs. These cells do not need preparation; they are always ready to fight.
- Initiate a Humoral and Cell Mediated Immune Response.
If the T cell initiates a cell mediated immune response, all phagocytes that have flocked to the site of infection are assisted by other specific white blood cells. This charge of cells is called chemotaxis. Chemotaxis has been tested and shown to be enhanced by our Beta glucan. When the phagocytes reach the site of invasion, they produce reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs) and reactive nitrogen intermediates (NOIs). These ROIs and NOIs include hydrogen peroxide (H202) and nitric oxide (NO), and are very important in helping the phagocytes to rapidly destroy the invader. Our beta glucan has been tested and shown to help phagocytes produce more ROIs and NOIs. Therefore, the faster the phagocytes reach the site of invasion, and use ROIs and NOIs, the faster the intruder’s position is compromised.
However, if the T cell initiates a humoral immune response, B cells are notified to create plasma cells, which create antibodies to fight the infection. These antibodies are actually chemicals designed to tag a specific invader, and take about 21 days to fully develop. When the antibodies are ready, they are sent out to target the specific substance for which they are made. Until these antibodies are ready, it is up to the innate immunity to directly come in contact, hand to hand combat, and ultimately engulf the intrusive substance.
Innate immunity is what keeps you alive, until acquired immunity is established. In some cases, a person’s immune system programs itself to rely too much on a humoral (antibody) response versus a cell mediated immune response. Our beta glucan has been tested and shown to correct the over-shifted humoral response to a cell mediated immune response.
