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Posted 3/16/07CLICK TO PRINT

NAME: Beta Glucan
DESCRIPTION: Botanical extract
FUNCTION: Cholesterol regulation, immnue support. May also modestly improve blood pressure.

Beta glucans enhance the power of the immune system by activating a certain type of white blood cell known as macrophages. These cells patrol the body and fend off foreign invaders such as bacteria and fungi by engulfing them.

Beta glucans are also well known to be effective in lowering blood lipid levels and is the key factor for why oat bran is so beneficial in this regard. Like other soluble fiber components, beta glucans work by binding cholesterol, facilitating its elimination from the body. Because beta glucans lower the bad LDL and increase the good HDL blood cholesterol levels, they are useful in preventing coronary heart disease.
SOURCES: Beta glucans are found naturally in: whole grains (especially oats, wheat, and barley) and fungi such as baker’s yeast, and the medicinal mushrooms maitake and reishi.

Beta glucan extracts are derived primarily from yeast cell walls, various fungi, grains, and mushrooms.
DOSAGE: For improving total and LDL cholesterol, studies have found benefit with beta-glucan at doses ranging from 3 to 15 grams daily; benefits have been seen more consistently at the higher end of this range.
DATA: Evidence is strong enough that the FDA has allowed a “heart healthy” label claim for food products containing substantial amounts of beta-glucan.

Research has also shown that beta glucans also have a positive action on other white blood cells such as B-Lymphocytes, Natural Killer cells, and Suppressor T cells. The end outcome is that the body becomes better equipped at immune-mediated activities such as fighting off infection and combating cancer. Beta glucans have been used, therefore, in immune-compromised surgical patients to lower the rate of infection and both as a preventive measure against cancer and as an adjunct to chemotherapy.
CAUTIONS: Baker’s yeast extracts have been given a G.R.A.S. rating (Generally Regarded As Safe) Rating by the FDA. 
FOR MORE
INFORMATION:		 A noncommercial site, www.betaglucan.org offers a great deal of Beta Glucan research information, as does Brigham Women's/Faulkner Hospitals' website.
RELATED
PRODUCTS:		 Beta Max (Jarrow) Each bottle, 60 capsules, each capsule, 250 mg of at least 75% beta-1,3-glucan and beta-1,6-glucans.
DISCLAIMER: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.