Beta glucan products contain a soluble fiber that can boost immunity and improve cholesterol profiles. Beta d glucan specifically strengthens your immune system, and oat beta glucan improves cholesterol profiles all with no drugs!
Beta Glucans Uncovered
It never cease to amaze me that nature has provided powerful natural medicines like beta glucans, which can provide so many benefits with no side effects. This is the case with beta glucan products which are just becoming known to the public.
Beta glucans are a form of soluble fiber composed of polysaccharides that occur in plants as cellulose, in bran, certain fungus, bakers yeast, mushrooms and bacteria.
There are a number of benefits these substances provide, but they fall into three main categories, improving cholesterol profiles, lowering blood sugar, and boosting your immune system.
The two catagories I will focus on are beta d glucan and oat beta glucan.
Benefits of Beta Glucans
Beta D Glucan:
- Faster immune response
- Increased production of white blood cells
- Increased immune cell mobilization
- More balanced immune response
- Increased reactive oxygen intermediates(which destroy pathogens)
- Beta D Glucan has also been used in treatment of cancers
Oat Beta Glucan:
- Lowers blood sugar
- Reduces LDL cholesterol by 8%
- Improves immune response
- Helps lower blood pressure
Beta Glucans have been recognized by the FDA as “GRAS” (generally recognized as safe), but they have not been evaluated by the FDA for the treatment of any disease. No specific claims for cure or treatment are being made for them.
Beta Glucan Products
What to look for….
Beta D Glucan are a specialized form of this substance derived from the cell wall of baker’s yeast. The sources I would trust for beta glucan supplements are Life Extension , Transfer Point, and Jarrow Formulas only because I have used products from both these sources and find them to be first rate.
Transfer Point makes an excellent product, and Life Extension has an excellent product as well that incorporates beta d glucan as well as other immune boosting nutrients. Jarrow also has their own beta d glucan product readily available online.
Oat beta glucan comes from oat bran and there are many sources. You can just eat oatmeal, the less refined the better. I prefer oatmeal in the form of whole oat “groats,” which have not be hulled (stripped of the outer husk).
Whole oats contain all of the fiber including beta glucan which provides the cholesterol lowering benefit as well as helping lower blood sugar due to it’s soluble fiber content.
I would not bother with anything other than whole oats, because you can’t beat them for taste and texture. If you have never had them, you are in for a treat. The best way to cook them is in a rice cooker using the “porridge” setting.
There are also products like B-CAN™ 70% Oat Beta Glucan which are concentrated sources of oat beta glucan. Remember that if you wish to get it by eating oatmeal, you must get whole unprocessed oats.
Beta glucan products can be a valuable addition to your nutritional arsenal. Check them out online and don’t hesitate to contact me if you have a question or two!
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