Beta glucans are sugar compounds found in bacteria, yeast, fungi, algae and plants such as oats and barley.
They are a source of soluble fibre, and research suggests they may reduce high cholesterol and improve skin conditions such as eczema, bedsores, wounds and radiation therapy burns.
Potential benefits include:
- Supporting the immune system to fight bacterial infections.
- Enhancing the activity of natural killer cells, a part of the immune system that recognizes and attacks cancer cells.
Beta glucans are also prebiotics, which are food for the healthy bacteria in the human digestive system. The collection of bacteria in the gut are collectively referred to as the microbiome.
People diagnosed with mesothelioma who are considering beta glucan should consult with their oncologist first to discuss potential drug interactions, side effects and dosage.
How do Beta Glucans work?
Beta glucans don’t attack cancer directly, but they indirectly stimulate the immune system to attack cancer cells.
Beta glucans are first absorbed in the small intestine and broken into smaller parts. These substances then enter into circulation where they interact with bone marrow and various parts of the immune system.
Once they are in the immune system, researchers believe beta glucans:
- Enhance immune activation, which translates into anti-cancer activity.
- Spur immune cells to produce anti-cancer compounds called cytokines, which regulate inflammation and help the immune system fight diseases such as cancer.
Buying functional mushrooms with high rates of Beta-Glucans
Beta-glucans are an important active ingredient in functional mushrooms. It’s integral when selecting a mushroom product that the raw materials and extraction process has focussed on maximising the bioavailability of these beta-glucens. Some companies will use parts of the mushroom like the mycelium, or follow certain extraction processes which do not optimise this. So it pays to do your research when it comes to getting the most bang for your buck.
