We are what we eat . We all know this expression, but the more medicine advances, the more we realize how real it is. Researchers from the University of Bonn, Germany have proven that an unhealthy diet can cause the immune system to act as if responding to bacterial infections.
The study published on Cell demonstrated that poor quality food makes the body's defenses more aggressive in the long term. This ends up accelerating the development of diseases like cancer [1].
If you think about it, it's not very surprising: the body does with what you give it . If it is fed poor quality, adulterated fuel, it will run less well, age faster and become ill.
On the other hand, it is possible to improve your immune system and its general good functioning by eating quality food, and with the help of natural food supplements .
Beta-glucans have been in the spotlight for a few years now for their benefits, particularly on the immune system.
What are beta-glucans?
Beta-glucans are polysaccharides (long sugar molecules) present in the cell walls of fungi, certain plants, bacteria or even in whole grains, yeasts and algae.
They can be consumed by eating these types of foods, however, dietary supplements such as IMMUPRAN are a serious option to increase one's daily intake.
They have been studied for their potential role in health benefits , particularly with regard to immunity.
The benefits of beta-glucans to strengthen the immune system
The benefits of beta-glucan are partly due to the fact that it is a soluble fiber. Soluble fiber has the effect of delaying gastric emptying, slowing glucose absorption, absorbing cholesterol particles, and stimulating immune cells in the gut .
How do beta-glucans affect the immune response?
Beta-glucans work by stimulating our body's immune responses , increasing the production of white blood cells (lymphocytes) and enhancing the activity of immune system cells.
Their goal is to activate the immune response by increasing the function of macrophages and NK cells.
Macrophages are immune cells that play an important role in defending against infection and disease by ingesting and digesting foreign cells and particles.
NK (Natural Killer) cells are defense cells that help protect our body against infection and disease by targeting and killing infected or cancerous cells.
But how do beta-glucans act on macrophages?
They act on macrophage receptors by binding to them, which stimulates the production of pro-inflammatory molecules and cytokines, which in turn activate other protective cells.
| Cytokine: messenger produced by our body that allows cells to communicate with each other |
Then activated by beta-glucans, they have an increased ability to phagocytose pathogens and tumor cells, which then makes them more effective in fighting diseases and acting against viruses or cancer, for example.
| Phagocytosis: process where the body's protective cells ingest and digest particles, foreign substances |
According to recent research[2] conducted by dr. Elena De Marco Castro, Philip C. Calder and Helen M Roche and published on Pubmed, beta-glucans may have the ability to enhance pathogen defenses of immunoprotective cells. This means that they can increase our resistance to ailments such as colds, flu, respiratory tract infections, allergies, etc.
Most current scientific research has focused on beta-glucans from medicinal mushrooms , called polysaccharides and bound to proteins. The Journal of Hematology & Oncology published a study demonstrating their usefulness in the prevention of several types of cancers[3].
Some experts including Dr. Jane E Ramberg [5] believe that beta-glucans in concentrated doses (not from dietary sources) can stimulate immune responses to destroy cancer cells and help prevent tumor growth.
Some healthcare providers give patients beta-glucans intravenously to help boost their immune system when they are battling cancer or AIDS, or recovering from surgery.
| A study conducted in India by Dr. Kadalraja Raghavan and his team even demonstrated the beneficial effects of beta glucans on patients with Covid-19 [4]. |
Beta-glucan and cholesterol
As said before, beta-glucans are soluble fibers that can control cholesterol levels and reduce its absorption in the intestinal tract, which leads to a reduction in total blood cholesterol and LDL (bad cholesterol) levels.
They can also raise HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) in the blood.
It is important to note that these effects may vary depending on the dose and source of the beta-glucans consumed.
The benefits of beta-glucans and Reishi, the winning combination
Not content with offering a substantial daily intake of beta-glucans, Immupran contains beta-glucans from saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast but also from mushrooms: beta-glucans from mushrooms, Reishi extracts more precisely.
Reishi is the Japanese name for the mushroom Ganoderma lucidum. Recognized as one of the most powerful herbal remedies in traditional Chinese medicine, it is called "ling zhi", which translates to "holy herb".
Reishi has been in the pharmacopoeias of traditional Chinese medicine since around 200 BC. At the time, it was reserved for royalty or the very wealthy, due to its rarity. Thanks to modern cultivation, it is now much easier to obtain and its popularity is spreading all over the world.
With this growing interest, research on Reishi mushroom is also growing and we are learning more about its health benefits[6] as well as its specific compounds and their actions. Medicinal mushrooms like Reishi are mainly recognized for their properties and their action on the immune system and to calm the nervous system.
Side effects ?
To date, there are no known side effects associated with the consumption of beta glucans. Follow the manufacturers' instructions for consumption and avoid side effects.
Conclusion
In summary, beta-glucans are soluble fibers that have beneficial effects on our immune system by activating and increasing the function of macrophages and NK cells.
They also have beneficial effects on blood cholesterol levels by reducing cholesterol absorption and increasing good cholesterol (HDL) levels.
To benefit from these benefits, it is recommended to include foods rich in beta-glucans in your diet, such as mushrooms, whole grains and legumes.
For faster results, natural dietary supplements such as Immupran, which combines beta-glucans with Reishi extracts , are a possibility.
Note that these effects may vary depending on the dose and source of the beta-glucans consumed. When consuming a supplement, it is important to follow the manufacturers' recommendations and maintain a balanced diet to obtain an adequate source of beta-glucans.
Sources:
- https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(17)31493-9
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32223047/
- https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-8722-2-25
- https://www.nutraingredients-asia.com/Article/2021/09/21/COVID-19-and-beta-glucans-Pilot-study-shows-two-strains-can-help-control-biomarkers-of- clinical-severity
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21087484/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22593926/
