Strong immunity keeps you functioning and feeling your best. But can beta-glucan give your immune system additional support? Yes!
Immunity is a major topic of discussion lately, and for good reason. The immune system plays a major role in keeping your energy levels, digestion, and even your skin healthy. Plus, let’s not forget the all-important task of healing injuries and helping you recover from illnesses. That’s why providing immune support is essential.
While lifestyle choices like diet, sleep habits, and exercise can definitely send you in the right direction, supplements provide additional support and help bridge nutritional gaps. That’s why so many people are excited about beta-glucan (specifically beta-glucan 1,3/1,6-D).
Discover exactly what beta-glucan is and how it can provide you with immunity support.
What Is Beta-Glucan?
Beta-glucan is a soluble fiber found in certain plants, bacteria, yeasts, and even fungi. You’re probably already getting a bit of beta-glucan if you eat foods like oats, barley, or mushrooms.
Benefits of Beta-Glucan
When we consume beta-glucan, it forms a gel-like substance as it moves through the digestive system. This property is what allows beta-glucan to do things like
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Curb Hunger
Ever wonder why nutritionists recommend oats to curb hunger? This is why! It takes longer to digest gel-like substances like beta-glucan, so they keep you feeling fuller longer.
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Slow the Release of Sugar into the Bloodstream
While it’s hanging out in your gut, it’s also keeping your glucose levels balanced. That means more sustained energy throughout the day.
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Improve Cholesterol
The way beta-glucan interacts with cholesterol particles enables it to lower LDL cholesterol levels. Yes, please!
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Plus More!
On top of all this, beta-glucan has also been shown to reduce the severity of certain allergies, improve skin health, and even lower blood pressure.
Beta-Glucan for Immune Support
So, how exactly does beta-glucan support immunity?
If you couldn’t tell by now, beta-glucan is very active in the digestive system. The gut-brain axis (the bidirectional connection between your gut and brain) plays a surprisingly big role in overall immunity. That, my friends, is where beta-glucan stimulates specific immune cells.
Beta-glucan is a powerful immunomodulator that improves immune function by boosting threat responses. When you consume beta-glucan, it stimulates neutrophils, T-cells, monocytes, natural killer cells, macrophages, and even dendritic cells. Did we lose you? Try thinking of your immune system as your body’s security department.
The various types of white blood cells help the immune system combat threats like bacteria, viruses, etc. You can think of white blood cells as specialized security guards. Some do purely reconnaissance work and help identify threats. Others surround, attack, and help remove said threats. T-cells are the immune system’s assassins that go after specific foreign particles, while dendritic cells act as messengers and convey information to other parts of the immune system.
Essentially, taking beta-glucan is the equivalent of giving your “security department” additional resources and a rousing motivational speech.
Not All Beta-Glucan Is Created Equal
Before eating your weight in oatmeal, it’s important to know that specific sources of beta-glucan are more effective than others. For example, the beta-glucan extracted from the cell walls of baker’s yeast has particularly powerful immunomodulation properties.
When beta-glucan 1, 3/1, 6-D (the most effective molecular chain) is extracted from baker’s yeast, it provides more potent immune support than that from other sources.
However, eating raw baker’s yeast is not recommended. Consuming live yeast can cause digestive discomfort because of how it interacts with your natural gut bacteria. That’s why we recommend skipping any uncomfortable digestive consequences and opting for a high-quality beta-glucan supplement like Glucan85Plus.
Final Thoughts
When your immune system is functioning properly, you don’t really think about it. When you’re sick, however, you definitely notice. You feel sluggish, prone to fevers and infections, and you may find yourself constantly reaching for over-the-counter remedies.
Maintaining a healthy immune system may seem like a challenge, but a high-quality nutritional supplement with beta-glucan can make that journey a whole lot easier. Start feeling better today and be prepared for whatever life may throw at you.
