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Looking to give your immune system a boost? Try this simple fiber supplement!

In today's society, building and maintaining a robust immune system is more important than ever. There is a constant onslaught of invaders such as toxins, viruses, nutrient-void processed foods, stress, and many more. Your body will need all the help it can get to fight off these threats and keep healthy. That's where one simple bioactive plant compound can step in and give you the immune boost you need to enhance your immune system defense! Beta-glucans have not only been linked to immune health but also to the gut and heart, as well as promoting healthy blood sugar levels. [1]

What are Beta-Glucans?

Beta-glucans are a non-starch polysaccharide, otherwise known as a prebiotic fiber. They can be found in the cell walls of fungi and algae (like seaweed), along with other plants like oats, barley, wheat, and rye, that trigger an immune response as the body jumps to defend itself against foreign pathogens. These complex carbohydrates are made of fibrous material and are considered immunomodulators, which boost immune function by improving the immune system's response to a threat. Essentially, Beta-glucans train your immune cells to react quickly when responding to a threat. [2]

Beta-Glucans Benefits

What makes beta-glucans so special is that they are a unique family of biologically active fibers and are steadily gaining strong attention as an essential food supplement and an immunostimulant and potential drug.[1]  Since beta-glucans are also a prebiotic fiber, they play a significant role in building a healthy gut microbiome by promoting the growth of various healthy gut bacteria species and crowding out potentially harmful ones. [3]

1. Potent immunomodulator

The innate immune system responds rapidly and non-specific against immunologic threats; inflammation is part of this response. Beta-glucans have antioxidant properties and are potent immunomodulators: They help train and strengthen the innate defense functions of vital immune cells like neutrophils and macrophages. These essential white blood cells help protect you from immunologic threats and infection. [4]

2. Anti-inflammatory

Beta-glucans also help balance inflammation, a critical component of your body's immune response.[5] In a recent 2020 study, participants were tasked with working out to elicit exercise-induced muscle damage and inflammation to identify the impact of yeast beta-glucan supplementation. The results showed that beta-glucan supplementation invoked favorable changes in cytokine markers of inflammation after prolonged periodheated treadmill exercise. [6]
3. Promotes Gut Health
Beta-glucans also act as prebiotics, feeding the good bacteria in your gut and helping balance your gut microbiome. [7] A 2009 study concluded that the daily intake of a cake containing barley beta-glucan is well-tolerated and demonstrated significant bifidogenic properties in older healthy volunteers consuming their usual diets. [8] This bacteria is essential for regulating the digestive system by helping improve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as well as boosting the immune system.

4. Can support longevity

Researchers have also found that beta-glucans exert anti-aging effects on fish by promoting antioxidant activity, reducing oxidative stress, and helping ward off infection. [9] Two mechanisms have been proposed to be responsible for the anti-cancer action of these herbal extracts; one is via direct cytotoxic effect, and the other is indirectly through immunomodulatory action. [10]

5. Improves Mood

Not only is Beta-glucan an excellent supplement for combating & preventing infections such as the cold & flu, but they are also excellent at regulating mood. While more studies on this topic are needed, initial research shows that beta-glucans support healthy upper respiratory function, diminishing the impact of foreign invaders, boosting overall well-being and energy, and even improving mood. [11] According to a study published in 2019 in the journal Molecules, "The relationship between immunity and nutrition is considered completely interconnected." [12]

What are the best sources of beta-glucans?

Usually, the best source for Beta-glucans would be high-fiber foods such as:

  1. Oats

  2. Barley

  3. Rye

  4. Mushrooms (reishi, shiitake, maitake)

Summary

Overall, there seems to be mounting evidence to show how beneficial adding beta-glucans to your diet could be. Although there isn't one single "magic bullet" supplement out there, the fact remains that beta-glucans can dramatically improve your Immune performance, allowing you to stay healthier for longer.









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