| Dietary sources | |
| Beta-glucan is a natural polysaccharide found in the membranes of microorganisms such as yeasts and fungi. It is also a component of plants. Barley and oats are particularly rich in beta-glucan, which fiberis a type of dietary fiber. | |
| Physiological effects | |
| Immune system |
|
| Health Claims | EFSA Opinion | |
| Beta-glucans | Beta-glucans help maintain normal cholesterol levels. |  |
| Standard values | The positive effect is observed with a daily intake of 3 g beta-glucan from oats, oat bran, barley, barley bran or a mixture of these grains. | |
| Applications | |||
| Immunosuppression, competitive sports, increased protection from vaccination, reduction of side effects of methotrexate |
| Nutrient safety | Beta-glucan | |
| EFSA rating: 600 mg/day in the form of dietary supplements and/or dietetic foods is considered safe. |  |
|
| Physiological effects of beta-glucan |
| In humans, beta-glucan has therapeutic nutritional effects. Beta-glucan has a positive influence on blood fat levels, lowers blood sugar levels and stimulates the body's immune defenses (1). In addition, beta-glucan increases the activity of antioxidative enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) and thus inhibits lipid peroxidation, which is a marker of systemic oxidative stress (2). |
| Highly effective natural substance that supports immune defense |
| Beta-glucan can mobilize the body's immune system in an exceptionally strong way. Although the exact mechanisms of action have not yet been clarified, studies suggest that this is done by stimulating leukocytes without simultaneously stimulating phagocytosis activity (3). The central process seems to be the binding of the beta-glucan-glucose polymer to the dectin-1 receptor (beta-glucan receptor) of monocytes and macrophages. Dectin-1 is one of the pattern recognition receptors that plays a central role in the identification of invading microorganisms (4). This triggers activation of the immune system (5) and also results in a training effect on immune defenses. In addition to a general activation of immunological activity, beta-glucan also influences TH1 and TH2 helper cells through the the formation of antibodies and the activation of further cells of the immune system (6). In addition, activation of the intestinal NF-kappaB (nuclear factor- kappaB), the transcription regulator that plays a key role in innate and acquired immunity, has been demonstrated (7) (8). Various studies have shown that increased beta-glucan intake in immunosuppressed states, such as in cancer or certain infectious diseases, can have a significant immune-boosting effect (9). New publications support this concept. Therefore, beta-glucan qualifies as a highly effective natural substance for improving immune status (13). |
| Beta-glucan – an adjuvant for more efficient vaccinations |
| About 10% of patients who are vaccinated against hepatitis B do not produce sufficient antibodies to provide adequate protection. Adjuvant administration of beta-glucan alongside the vaccine results in increased antibody activity against hepatitis B. Although more studies are necessary, beta-glucan administration may be a a novel method for improving vaccination response(10). |
| Protection against side effects of methotrexate and faster recovery after shock |
| Methotrexate is a a folic acid antagonist used to treat rheumatic conditions and malignant tumors. However, side effects are often associated with oxidative stress and tissue toxicity. Some preliminary research results in animals have concluded that beta-glucan's antioxidant and immunoregulatory properties may reduce leukocyte apoptosis and oxidative tissue damage, thereby reducing the side effects of methotrexate in the stomach, intestines and liver (11). Beta-glucan supplementation also shows significant effects on hemodynamic processes in experimentally induced organ injuries. In beta-glucan-supplemented rats, blood pressure normalized significantly faster after a shock-related drop in blood pressure than in the control group. Beta-glucan has also been shown to reduce plasma concentrations of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, indicating increased liver protection against biochemical stressors (12). Studies in patients after surgical interventions also show that beta-glucan can reduce the risk of postoperative infection (1). |
| Beta-glucan for immune enhancement in cancer patients |
| The biomedical effects of beta-glucan in tumor patients derive primarily from its immunomodulatory properties. Beta-glucan activates the immune system by stimulating the formation of cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-1-beta, which in turn can bind to the glucan receptors of macrophages and neutrophilic granulocytes. In addition, beta-glucan suppresses the formation of superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide, which can weaken the immune cells through their effect as free radicals. There is also evidence of improvement in the activity of natural and lymphokine-activated killer cells. Some clinical studies have shown that beta-glucan can also be used to strengthen the immune system in patients with tumors. In patients with advanced breast cancer, for example, oral beta-glucan supplementation significantly increased the number of monocytes. Beta-glucan supplementation also increases the efficiency of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and has positive effects on the survival time and quality of life of cancer patients (1). |
| Effect | Indication | Dosage |
| Physiological effects at a low intake |
For general improvement of immune defense | 100 - 600 mg/d |
| General immunodeficiency due to disease, high performance sports, cancer prevention or stress | 100 - 600 mg/d | |
| To reduce the risk of postoperative infection | 100 - 600 mg/d | |
| Adjuvant therapy to increase vaccination protection | 100 - 600 mg/d | |
| For protection against the side effects of Methotrexate | 100 - 600 mg/d | |
| General mode of administration | |
| When |
Beta-glucan should be taken between meals. |
| Side effects | |
| No side effects are known to date. | |
| Contraindications | |
| No contraindications are known to date. | |
| Drug interactions | |
| None | No interactions are known to date. |
| Nutrient interactions | |
| None | No interactions are known to date. |
| Description |
| Beta-glucan is a natural polysaccharide found in the membranes of microorganisms such as yeasts and fungi. |
| References |
|
1) Kim, S. Y. et al. 2006. Biomedical Issues of Dietary fiber β-Glucan. Journal of Korean Medical Science 21, Nr. 5: 781. doi:10.3346/jkms.2006.21.5.781. 2) Pietrzycka, A. et al. 2006. Effect of Vita- Glucan on some antioxidant parameters of the human blood. In vitro study. Acta Pol Pharm. 63(6):547-51. 3) Lavigne, L. M. et al. 2007. Integrin Engagement Mediates the Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Response to a Fungal Pathogen-Associated Molecular Pattern. The Journal of Immunology 178, Nr. 11: 7276–7282. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.178.11.7276. 4) Kennedy, A. D. et al. 2007. Dectin-1 promotes fungicidal activity of human neutrophils. European Journal of Immunology 37, Nr. 2: 467–478. doi:10.1002/eji.200636653. 5) Descroix, K. et al. 2006. Recent Progress in the Field of β-(1,3)-Glucans and New Applications. Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry 6, Nr. 12 (January): 1341–1349. doi:10.2174/138955706778993058. 6) Breivik, T. et al. 2005. Soluble beta-1,3/1,6-glucan from yeast inhibits experimental periodontal disease in Wistar rats. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 32, Nr. 4: 347–352. doi:10.1111/j.1600-051x.2005.00672.x. 7) Volman, J. J. et al. 2010. Dietary (1→3), (1→4)-β-d-glucans from oat activate nuclear factor-κB in intestinal leukocytes and enterocytes from mice. Nutrition Research 30, Nr. 1: 40–48. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2009.10.023. 8) Spehlmann, M. et al. 2009. Nuclear factor-kappa B in intestinal protection and destruction. Current Opinion in Gastroenterology 25, Nr. 2: 92–99. doi:10.1097/mog.0b013e328324f857. 9) Demir, G. et al. 2007. Beta glucan induces proliferation and activation of monocytes in peripheral blood of patients with advanced breast cancer. International Immunopharmacology 7, Nr. 1: 113–116. doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2006.08.011. 10) Dong, S. F. et al. 2007. Specific immune response to HBsAg is enhanced by β-glucan oligosaccharide containing an α-(1→3)-linked bond and biased towards M2/Th2. International Immunopharmacology 7, Nr. 6: 725–733. doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2007.01.004. 11) Şener, G. et al. 2006. β-glucan ameliorates methotrexate-induced oxidative organ injury via its antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects. European Journal of Pharmacology 542, Nr. 1-3: 170–178. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2006.02.056. 12) Sandvik, A. et al. 2007. Oral and systemic administration of β-glucan protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced shock and organ injury in rats. Clinical & Experimental Immunology 148, Nr. 1: 168–177. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2249.2006.03320.x. 13) Stier, H. et al. 2014. Immune-modulatory effects of dietary Yeast Beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan. Nutrition Journal 13, Nr. 1. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-13-38.
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