Beta-glucan is so powerful that there are studies trying to determine whether it is a supplement or a drug. Beta glucans are a type of fiber found in the cell walls of yeast, bacteria, algae, plants, and mushrooms. One of the most well-known benefits of beta-glucans is their ability to boost the immune system.
They offer other health benefits too, such as lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels and helping to fight cancer. If you're looking for natural ways to improve your health, adding beta-glucans to your diet may be a good way to do it. Here's how.
Nutrients In Mushrooms
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that grows in the wild and are also cultivated for food. They are low in calories and high in nutrients, making them a healthy addition to the diet. Mushrooms are a good source of B vitamins such as:
- Niacin
- Riboflavin
- Pantothenic acid
They are also a good source of minerals, including selenium, potassium, and zinc. Mushroom consumption has been linked with several health benefits. These include improved immune function, lower cholesterol levels, and reduced inflammation.
Beta Glucans From Mushrooms
Mushrooms are a rich source of beta-glucans. In fact, they are one of the few plant sources of this nutrient. Beta-glucans from mushrooms can help to boost the immune system and fight inflammation.
Reishi mushrooms are particularly high in beta-glucans. They also contain other compounds that have medicinal properties, such as triterpenes and polysaccharides.
Other mushrooms that are high in beta-glucans include maitake mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, and turkey tail mushrooms.
What Are Polysaccharides?
Polysaccharides are long chains of sugar molecules. They are present in a variety of plant-based foods, such as grains, legumes, and vegetables.
Some polysaccharides, such as those found in oats and barley, have the best health benefits. For example, they can help to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Other polysaccharides, such as those found in mushrooms, can boost the immune system.
Therefore the polysaccharides in mushrooms may help to fight infections and reduce inflammation.
Not all polysaccharides are beneficial for health. Some, such as those found in processed foods, can actually have negative effects on health. This is important to note because many supplements contain isolated polysaccharides that may not have the same health benefits as those found in whole foods.
Soluble Fibers
Soluble fibers are a type of dietary fiber that dissolves in water. They are present in a variety of plant-based foods, such as oats, barley, legumes, and vegetables.
Soluble fibers have a number of health benefits. For example, they can help to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. They can also help to regulate blood sugar levels and promote healthy gut bacteria.
Not all fibers are soluble. Insoluble fibers, such as those found in wheat bran, do not dissolve in water. While insoluble fibers have some health benefits, they are not as well studied as soluble fibers.
Mushrooms are a good source of soluble fiber. They also contain other nutrients that have health benefits, such as beta-glucans and polysaccharides. This combination of nutrients makes mushrooms a particularly healthful food.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Beta-glucans?
Beta-glucans work by stimulating the immune system. They can help to fight infections and reduce inflammation. The health benefits of beta-glucans are well-documented. Some of these are:
Boosting the Immune System
One of the most well-known benefits of beta-glucans is their ability to boost the immune system. They work by stimulating the production of white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting off infection.
They can help to prevent and treat a variety of infections, including the common cold, upper respiratory tract infections, and ear infections. They may also help to reduce the severity and duration of these infections.
B-glucans are polysaccharides that are present in the cell walls of fungi, bacteria, algae, and some plants. They have a range of effects on the immune system, including the promotion of the activity of lymphocytes, which are white blood cells that play a key role in immunity.
B-glucans can also help to reduce the immunosuppressive effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and they are helpful in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
In addition, B-glucans can help to improve the function of hematopoietic stem cells, which are responsible for the production of blood cells. Consequently, B-glucans have a range of potential applications in the field of immunology.
Lowering Cholesterol Levels
High cholesterol is a serious health problem in the United States, with over 73 million people affected. It is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke, which are two of the top three killers in our country. Beta-glucans are an effective way to lower cholesterol levels.
Beta-glucan intake is associated with a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol levels. LDL cholesterol is considered bad cholesterol, the type that can build up in your arteries and cause blockages. A reduction in LDL cholesterol levels can lead to a decrease in the risk of heart disease and stroke.
In one study, 60 adults with high cholesterol were given either a placebo or 3 grams of beta-glucan per day for 12 weeks. The group taking beta-glucan showed a significantly greater reduction in LDL cholesterol levels than the placebo group. They also had a significant increase in HDL cholesterol, which is the good cholesterol that helps remove LDL from your arteries.
Regulating Blood Sugar Levels
Beta-glucans can also help to regulate blood sugar levels. They slow down the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, which helps to prevent spikes in blood sugar levels. This is especially beneficial for people with diabetes.
People who took beta-glucan supplements for 12 weeks had significantly lower fasting blood sugar levels and HbA1c levels. HbA1c is a marker of long-term blood sugar control.
Reducing Inflammation
Beta-glucans have anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation is a major contributing factor to a variety of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, arthritis, and cancer.
B-glucan helps to reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by immune cells Cytokines are signaling molecules that play a key role in inflammation.
Beta-glucan helps reduce both local and systemic inflammation in people with arthritis. Local inflammation is the inflammation at the site of injury or disease. Systemic inflammation is when the entire body is in a state of low-grade inflammation.
It also helps treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is a chronic condition.
Fighting Cancer
There is some evidence that beta-glucans may help to fight cancer. Studies have shown that they can improve the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy. They may also help to prevent cancer cells from spreading.
It does this by stimulating the immune system and by inhibiting the growth of blood vessels that supply tumors.
Beta-glucan supplement increased the survival rate of mice with colon cancer The mice were given the supplement before and after surgery to remove the tumor. Beta-glucans may also help to treat other types of cancer, such as breast cancer, skin cancer, and stomach cancer.
Improving Digestion
Beta-glucan helps to improve digestion with several mechanisms. First, beta-glucan increases the viscosity of food as it passes through the digestive system. This increase in viscosity slows down the passage of food through the intestine, giving digestive enzymes more time to break down food molecules.
In addition, beta-glucan forms a thick gel that coats the intestinal wall. This gel binds to toxins and other harmful substances present in the intestine and helps escort them out of the body. Finally, beta-glucan stimulates the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome. These bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids which support digestive health.
Supports Brain Function
It helps support brain function by promoting the growth of new neurons and preventing inflammation in the brain. It also helps improve communication between cells, which is essential for healthy brain function. It does this by binding to receptors on cells and stimulating the release of certain neurotransmitters.
Beta-glucan also helps to improve cognitive function in older adults. Additionally, beta-glucan has been shown to improve mood and reduce stress levels.
While more research is needed, beta-glucan appears to be a promising supplement for supporting brain function.
Anti-microbial
Beta-glucans have a long history of use in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments. More recently, scientists have discovered that beta-glucans have powerful antimicrobial properties.
In fact, beta-glucans are one of the most effective natural antimicrobials known. They are effective against a wide range of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains. and they also have anti-fungal and anti-viral properties.
Beta-glucans are safe and non-toxic, making them an excellent choice for the treatment of microbial infections.
Beta-glucans also have anti-microbial properties. This means that they can help to kill harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi. They may also help to prevent these microbes from attaching to cells.
Bone Health
Beta-glucan is a natural plant polysaccharide that helps to support bone health. It does this by promoting the production of osteoblasts, cells that are responsible for creating new bone tissue. Additionally, Beta-glucan helps to improve the absorption of calcium and other minerals necessary for healthy bones. This makes Beta-glucan an important part of any bone health regimen.
Beta-glucans have been also found to mobilize progenitor cells from bone marrow and enhance hematopoietic recovery after bone marrow injury. This makes them a potentially useful treatment for conditions like leukemia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia.
Weight Loss
Beta-glucan is a natural fiber that helps people lose weight in two ways. It helps to reduce the number of calories people absorb from food. Second, it makes people feel full after eating, so they eat less.
Beta-glucan is also a prebiotic, which means it helps to support the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut. This can help improve overall health and make it easier to lose weight.
Diabetes
Beta-glucan is a type of soluble fiber that helps treat and prevent diabetes. Beta-glucan can improve blood sugar control, increase insulin sensitivity, and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It does this by slowing down the absorption of sugar from the gut, which helps to keep blood sugar levels stable.
How to Take Beta Glucans
Beta-glucans are available in supplement form. They are also found in some foods, such as mushrooms and oats.
The recommended dosage of beta-glucans depends on the reason you are taking them. For example, the recommended dosage for people with diabetes is 1,000 mg per day. But, for people who want to boost their immune system, the recommended dosage is 3-6 grams per day.
It's important to talk to your doctor before taking beta-glucans or any other supplement. This is because supplements can interact with medications and cause side effects.
Side Effects of Beta Glucans
Beta-glucans are generally safe and well-tolerated. The most common side effects are bloating and gas. These side effects are usually mild and go away on their own.
Rarely, beta-glucans can cause an allergic reaction. If you have a history of allergies or asthma, you should be cautious when taking beta-glucans.
Talk to your doctor before taking beta-glucans if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. There is not enough research to know if beta-glucans are safe for these groups of people.
If you have celiac disease or a wheat allergy, research the origin of your beta-glucan supplement. This is because beta-glucans can also come from wheat, barley, and rye. These ingredients can trigger a reaction in people with celiac disease or a wheat allergy.
Do not take beta-glucans if you have a bleeding disorder. This is because beta-glucans can increase the risk of bleeding.
Getnummies Today
If you're looking for a way to improve your blood sugar control, beta glucans may be the answer. This type of soluble fiber is found in some foods and supplements and has been shown to help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes as well as improve insulin sensitivity.
Getnummies offers Functional Mushroom Gummies with Turkey Tail, Reishi, and other types of mushrooms with incredible immune-boosting benefits. See all the ingredients and benefits when you shop here.