What are beta glucans?
Beta-glucans (β-glucans) are polysaccharides (long sugar molecules) that are mainly found in the cell walls of bacteria, yeasts, grain cereals (barley, oats, rye), algae and in all medicinal mushrooms .
Beta-glucan is one of the key components of the cell wall of fungi. The length and diameter of beta-glucan can be very different from one mushroom to another. Most beta-glucans are considered non-digestible carbohydrates (organic molecules such as sugars, starch or cellulose): they are fermented by the intestinal flora.
Properties and studies on beta-glucans
Beta-glucans have the particularity of being excellent modulators of the immune response because they are capable of stimulating the production of different cells of the immune system such as:
- the Natural Killer which are cells capable of selectively killing tumor cells or cells infected by microbes while secreting cytokines, which stimulate and direct the response of B and T lymphocytes (cells responsible for so-called cellular immunity because they have the capacity to destroy cells recognized as infected)
- macrophages which “eat” particles of variable size
- lymphocytes (white blood cells that defend the body against infections).
An immune reaction will take place following external and internal attacks which, initially, manifests itself by a strengthening of phagocytosis : a phenomenon by which macrophages ensure the sequestration and destruction of foreign substances, including tumor cells.
According to a scientific study, beta-glucans have numerous properties: anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, help reduce LDL cholesterol levels (known as “bad cholesterol”), prevent certain cardiovascular diseases and act as an antioxidant. by reducing free radicals causing oxidative stress . Beta-glucans have proven their effectiveness in cancer treatments because they contribute to the formation of new cells following chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
According to the study The effects of β-glucan on human immunity and cancer cells (Godfrey Chi-Fung CHAN), many varieties of mushrooms have substances that are said to be anti-carcinogenic. Beta-glucans stimulate the intestine by increasing peristalsis (muscular movement exercised within an organ to advance contents) and can thus limit the risks of colon cancer.
According to another study entitled A critical review on the impacts of β-glucans on gut microbiota and human health (Muthukumaran JAYACHANDRAN), the Reishi present in our MYCELAB cures is a mushroom rich in beta-glucans, used as an alternative to treat certain cancers and more specifically colon cancer. Furthermore, a diet rich in beta-glucan can reduce the risk of diabetes and would be beneficial in cases of Alzheimer's and hypertension. These data have been approved by the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority of the European Union) and no adverse side effects linked to taking beta-glucans have been noted.
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Bibliography:
- Muthukumaran JAYACHANDRAN et al., “A critical review on the impacts of β-glucans on gut microbiota and human health”, 2018, in Journal of Nutritional Chemistry, p.101-110
