Further research by Dr Nicholas DiLuzio revealed the source as Beta-1, 3-D glucan, or better known as beta glucan.Beta glucan is a polysaccharide (sugar compound) extracted from the cellular wall of baker’s yeast. Like yeast, oats, wheat, barley and medicinal mushrooms (maitake and reishi) are also a rich source of the soluble fibre, beta glucan. Beta glucan refers to the water-soluble fibres found in oats and barley that cannot be disgested as the human body does not have enzymes capable of hydrolyzing the beta-glucosidic linkage.
When beta glucan passes through the large intestine, the soluble fibre goes through a fermentation process which helps to slow down blood glucose absorption and stimulate probiotic bacteria, or beneficial bacteria, in the gut.
Different food sources contain differing amounts of the various chemical constituents collectively termed as beta glucan. Grains primarily contain beta-1, 3-glucan and beta-1, 4-glucan while fungal sources contain a mixture of beta-1, 3-glucan and beta-1, 6-glucan.
Beta glucan promotes health in a number of important ways: it enhances the immune functions, lowers blood cholesterol levels, reduces high blood pressure, controls blood glucose levels and aids in weight loss.
» Bolster your defences
Studies indicate that beta glucan is effective at activating white blood cells known as macrophage and neutrophils, both of which act as the immune system’s first line of defence against foreign material in the body.
The macrophage protect and strengthen the immune system so that it becomes more resistant to any possible threat to the body’s health.
A beta glucan-activated macrophage can recognise and destroy tumour cells, remove cellular debris resulting from oxidative damage, and enhance disease resistance against bacterial and parasitic infections.
They produce chemicals that signal other immune cells to head over to the site of infection and engage in phagocytosis, the consumption and digestion of bacteria. At the same time, macrophages produce growth factors for cells to repair and speed up the recovery of damaged tissues.
The first direct scientific study in 1963 clearly demonstrated the anti-tumour activity of beta glucan, leading Japan to license the fibre as an immunostimulant effective in cancer treatment.
Under normal conditions, the body is able to heal itself but when it is under attack from stress, pollutants, allergies and diseases, our natural defence mechanisms can find themselves overwhelmed. As a rersult, the body faces a higher risk of developing tumours.
Here’s where immune modulators like beta glucan play an important part. Upon entering the bloodstream, beta glucan primes various cells of the body to release biological factors to stimulate molecules known to influence our natural defence mechanism.
As the immune system is prepared for ‘battle’, the invading organisms will not have time to build up their ‘forces’. When the invading cells attack the body, white blood cells (like macrophages and natural killer cells) come to the rescue.
Natural killer cells have only one function – to recognise and kill tumour cells.
Beta glucan is useful in triggering the activation process of both the macrophages and natural killer cells. Once activated, the white blood cells circulate in the body seeking their targets – cancer cells. They pose no harm the surrounding tissues and organs which are left well alone.
In fact, after the ‘battle’, beta glucan continues to protect the body by stimulating the production of new cells from the bone marrow to replace the old ones which were ‘lost in battle’.
The beta glucan-activated macrophages also heal the body’s wounds and promote speedy recovery so that the body is once more ready to ‘fight’ and protect itself against any other outside invaders and enemies.
» Control weight gain
Foods rich in beta glucan stay in the stomach for a longer period than foods that are low in fibre.
Eating a high-fibre breakfast of oatmeal or oat muffins will fill you up faster and keep you satisfied longer than a low-fibre meal of sugared cornflakes.
Studies showed that participants who ate oatmeal for breakfast consumed fewer calories during lunch. This is due to a delay in gastric emptying – the time it takes for the food to leave the stomach and enter the blood as glucose.
A high-fibre meal of oats or barley takes a slower time to empty out from the stomach. So, the longer your food stays in the stomach, the more you’ll feel full and satisfied.
This feeling of satiety helps to control your appetite and prevent weight gain.
» Improve heart health
Beta glucan is good news for those suffering from metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions – high blood sugar, obesity, high blood pressure and dyslipidemia – which may lead to heart disease.
The soluble fibre is also very beneficial for people who suffer from diabetes as it helps to improve glucose tolerance and lower insulin output, reduce the glycemic index (GI) and prevent insulin spikes that occur after eating a heavy meal.
Beta glucan plays an important role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering blood cholesterol levels. The all-natural, soluble fibre helps to bind cholesterol and carry it out of the body by eliminating it through our bowel system before it gets digested.
Beta glucan also supplies the body with short-chain fatty acids which block the production of cholesterol.
Oat- and barley-derived beta glucan have been found to significantly improve high-density (HDL) cholesterol known as ‘good’ cholesterol and diminish both total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, known as ‘bad’ cholesterol as it is produced by the liver to carry cholesterol.
High levels of HDL indicate a healthy heart, as there is less cholesterol available in the bloodstream to attach to blood vessels and cause plaque formation.
On the other hand, high levels of LDL point to an overproduction of cholesterol in the bloodstream which can increase the risk of heart disease.
Other benefits of beta glucan include the increase of carboxylic acids such as butyric acid which has been suggested to counteract colon cancer.
» Beta glucan in the diet
Beta glucan should be taken by people who are under daily stress, susceptible to allergies, infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases and those who want to maintain or enhance the effectiveness of their immune system.
If you’re constantly exposed to environmental pollutants, UV radiation and other toxins, you will benefit greatly from the antioxidant effects of beta glucan.
Taking beta glucan supplements will not deliver as many benefits as consuming the soluble fibre in whole foods such as oats, wheat and barley.
If you can’t find the time to make yourself a bowl of oatmeal, you can still reap the benefits of beta glucan by enjoying crunchy, oatmeal biscuits enriched with beta glucan. Not only is this a convenient way to enjoy a snack, it’s healthy and nutritious too.
http://www.thesundaily.my/node/165437
