Beta
Glucan For a Healthy Immune System
Arthur
M. Echano, MD, ND, MACNEM
The big guns of our immune system,
the body's defense department are our white blood cells (neutrophils
and lymphocytes) and macrophages. Neutrophils are phagocytes and
scavengers, devouring germs, dead cells and other rubbish in the
body.
Lymphocytes are made up of T cells.
These cells mediate delayed hypersensitivity, lyse cells infected
with viruses, interact with B cells to regulate production of antibodies.
T cells are further subdivided into helper (T4) cells, suppressor
(T8) cells and killer cells which interact and kill tumor cells.
Our macrophages are also phagocytes
but are bigger, tougher, and stronger than neutrophils. They also
function as communication links between other cells of our immune
system, hormone-producing cells and nerve cells.
The
Key is Immune System Balance
As long as there is an intricate balance in the behaviour
of these cells, we need not worry. However, any underactivity or
overactivity of these cells will create an imbalance that may result
in any of the following: allergies, infections, auto-immune diseases
and tumors. Balance is lost when we are constantly exposed to immune
system stressors like chemicals, toxins, radioactive substances,
dead food, junk food, stress, infections and many other environmental
factors.
As we are all exposed to these negative
environmental influences, statistics show that there has been an
increase in the incidence of allergies, infections, auto-immune
diseases and cancer. Cancer is now an epidemic in the Western world.
Would you like to be part of the cancer statistics? You don't have
to if you know how to take care of your immune system.
Beta
Glucan is a Major League Player
For many years, scientists have known that a natural, branched polysaccharide
(string of sugar molecules) derived from yeast, mushrooms and grains
(oats,barley, etc.) called Beta Glucan is a powerful immune boosting
agent. But since it is derived from natural sources, interest from
the pharmaceutical industry is non-existent. It can't be patented
and therefore non-profitable.
How
Powerful is Beta Glucan?
In an independent clinical study comparing the effectiveness of
popular immune boosting agents like Noni, Aloe, Echinacea, Transfer
Factor (bovine colostrum extract), etc., the only formulations that
exceeded 100% boosting of natural killer cell (a form of white blood
cell) activity were Transfer Factor plain (103%) and Transfer Factor
Plus (248%). These figures are very impressive. Many practitioners
are seeing some wonderful clinical results with these preparations.
3,000%
to 5,000% Increase in Immune Cell Function
Do you know though that Beta Glucan may register a 3,000% to 5,000%
increase in immune cell activity within 72 hours of initial therapy?
As you can see, it is a run away winner among the heavyweights in
this immune system boosting division. With this figures, we would
expect it to have wide clinical applications.
Due to its potent anti-infective,
anti-tumor, immune modulating and wound healing action, it is used
in the management of cancer, HIV, fibromyalgia syndrome, chronic
fatigue syndrome, lupus, polio, hepatitis A B and C, arthritis,
candida, diabetes mellitus, and many other diseases of modern men.
Its use after surgery prevents
nasty infections. Beta Glucan also reduces the side effects of radiotherapy
and chemotherapy. According to research studies in the US, it does
not only stop the spread of cancer, it also protects normal cells
from becoming cancerous. It is excellent in speeding up wound healing
and tissue repair.
How Exactly Does it Work?
Beta Glucan is a strong
activator of the macrophages and other phagocytic white blood cells.
A Harvard University research study showed that there are binding
sites on the surface of macrophages that are specific to Beta Glucan.
Beta Glucan acts as a "key" that unlocks receptor sites
on the surface of macrophages into action. That is, devouring germs,
viruses, dead cells, tumor cells and debris. No wonder, Beta Glucan
is considered as an anti-cancer agent in Japan.
Macrophages are also involved
in detoxification and the release of messenger substances (cytokines)
that promote the production of more immune cells. More immune cells
means more soldiers to detoxify, clean up garbage and do search
and destroy operations targetting malignant cells.
It is worthy to note that Beta Glucan
is an immune modulating agent. It works both ways, elevating an
underactive immune system and pushing down an overactive one. It
acts according to the body's needs. It is not surprising then that
it is applicable for autoimmune diseases, conditions in which the
immune system is hyperactive.
Quality
& Purity Influenced by Extraction Process
The type of extraction significantly alters the quality and purity
of the finished product. Hot water extraction, simple drying and
pulverizing into powder form, fermentation and exposure to environmental
pollutants reduces the concentration of Beta Glucan. The right extraction
technique results in highly soluble, bioavailable, nano-sized Beta
Glucan molecules that virtually envelop the cells and do its regenerative
activities. A nanotechnology-derived Beta Glucan with entrapped
oxygen in its molecules makes it less likely for cancer cells to
survive.
Four in One Beta Glucan From
Mushrooms
The Orientals are the experts in extracting Beta Glucan from mushrooms.
With the use of nanotechnology, it is now possible to have highly
purified Beta Glucan extracted from not just one but up to four
mushrooms. One such variety is a Beta Glucan extract from four highly
selected Chinese medicinal mushrooms- Ganoderma lucidium (Reishi
or Ling Zhi)), Agaricus blazei (Himematsutake), Cordyceps sinensis,
and Schizophyllum commune.
The synergistic effect of these
four powerful medicinal mushrooms makes this combination one of
a kind, probably the best Beta Glucan product in the world today.
The highly purified form eliminates proteins in the mushrooms that
may otherwise cause allergic reactions to those who are sensitive
to mushrooms.
Safety
& Side Effects
There are no known major side
effects with the use of Beta Glucan. Nor is there any interaction
with pharmaceutical drugs and herbal medicines. In the U.S., the
Food & Drug Administration includes yeast-derived Beta Glucan
in its GRAS list, "Generally Recognized As Safe."
So if you think your immune system
needs realignment and balancing, Beta Glucan is worth considering.
As the job of our immune system encompasses many facets- devouring
bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and tumor cells, detoxification,
garbage disposal units, release of messenger molecules for the production
of more immune cells), regular intake of high quality Beta Glucan
can put our immune system in high gear.
A weak immune system may result
in intractable infections, poor wound healing and tissue repair,
auto-immune diseases like lupus,
allergies and of course, cancer. We can significantly decrease our
odds of falling into any one or more of the above conditions if
our immune system is trained and ready for action.
We can put our immune system in
tip top shape with high quality Beta Glucan. Why wait for the doctor
to tell us that we have lupus or inoperable cancer? We may avoid
this difficult scenario by looking after our immune system. The
choice is yours!
Arthur M. Echano is a nutritional
medicine specialist in Australia. He is a 1978 UST medical graduate
and a naturopathic doctor in the U.S. A full member of the Australasian
College of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine (ACNEM), he
may be reached on (02) 9834 4154, email: amechano@acay.com.au and
website: www.rxpinoy.com/drarthurechano.
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