Beta Glucan Supports the Defense mechanism of body at the Cellular Level. Natrol's Beta 1,3 and 1,6 Glucans are obtained from purified yeast…. more>>

Beta Glucan is primarily cultured extract of Baker's Yeast cell wall. It is used as an immunostimulant. Beta glucans are sugar molecules (polysaccharides). They are found bound together as a sugar/protein complex. Certain plants and microorganisms are naturally high in this polysaccharide compound. The richest concentrated source is baker's yeast cell walls. (Because there is basically no yeast left in the products and they have low protein levels, it is considered hypoallergenic.) It is present in lesser amounts in mushroom extracts and Lentinen, Barley, Oat, etc. Sodium alginate is also an excellent source, but the high sodium content is a major drawback in the processing for supplemental use. An expensive research extract called Zymosan™ has been used for doing research for over 45 years. Much of the research has been in combining it with conventional approaches, such as chemotherapy, but it has been found to work well on its own.

What glucans seem to do is to stimulate/irritate your white blood cells called Macrophages into action. There is actually beta glucan receptors displayed by immune cells that the lectin fits right into like a lock and key and switches on or activates the macrophage to do it's job...clean up. Increased macrophage activity triggers a whole cascade of immune events, which basically boost immune response, which improves Natural Host Resistance. It also stimulates the production of immune cells.

When taken with meals, beta-glucan increases the viscosity of the food in the stomach and forms a gelatinous mass. This slows the passage of food from the stomach into the small intestine, thereby sustaining satiety (the feeling of fullness) and reducing hunger and cravings. The basic principles of weight loss still hold true: eat less and exercise. If you are better able to control your appetite, you will find it much easier to meet your goals of weight loss or maintenance.