What the Scientific Community says about Glucan

Immunition NSC 100 (Micronized form)
Ingredients: dSM Beta 1-3, 1-6-Glucan
(micronized from Saccharomyces Cerevisiae)

Glucan (Beta-1, 3) has been shown to enhance macrophage function dramatically, and to increase nonspecific host resistance to a variety of bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections.
--" M.L. Patchen, Ph.D., Dept. of Experimental Hematology and Radiation Sciences, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute "

Beta-1, 3-glucan, is a potent macrophage stimulant and is beneficial in the therapy of experimental bacterial, viral, and fungal diseases.
--" William Browder, M.D., Dept. of Surgery and Physiology, Tulane University School of Medicine "

These studies show, unequivocally, that glucan (Beta-1,3) has an action not only on macrophages, as was originally thought, but also on B lymphocytes and on suppressor T cells.
--" P. Mansell, M.D., McGill University Cancer Research Unit, Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Canada.

SOME COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT GLUCAN

Q: What is Beta-1, 3-glucan?

A: Beta-1,3-glucan is derived from the cell wall of common baker's yeast, making it the only plant-derived Beta-1,3-glucan which has been shown to significantly activate macrophages.

Q: Is there any known toxicity related to the product?

A: Beta-1, 3-glucan is completely safe and non-toxic.

Q: I am allergic to yeast; will this cause a problem?

A: Although Beta-1, 3-glucan is derived from baker's yeast, it is a pure isolate and does not contain any yeast proteins that would cause an allergic reaction.

Q: Could Beta-1, 3-glucan cause over-stimulation of my immune system or auto-immunity?

A: Beta-1, 3-glucan merely readies the macrophage. Immune response does not occur until a macrophage captures a foreign invader (bacteria, virus, fungus, parasite), then displays the invader's "antigen" for recognition by a thymus immune cell, resulting in full immune response.

Q: Are there any drug interactions that occur with Beta-1, 3-glucan?

A: Beta-1, 3-glucan enhances the effect of many antibiotic and cholesterol lowering drugs. There are no known adverse effects with pharmacologic drugs.

Q: Are the effects of Beta-1, 3-glucan backed by scientific research?

A: Numerous scientific studies originating from such prestigious institutions as Tulane University and Harvard Medical School exist to attest to the immuno-activating and protective effects of Beta-1, 3-glucan derived from yeast cell walls.

Q: What about beta glucans from barley, oats, or other grains?

The Drug Action in Laboratory Finding:

A: They have been shown to be ineffective with regard to macrophage activation. Only Beta-1, 3-glucan from the cell wall of baker's yeast has been shown to have a potent effect on the immune system.

Q: Why is a small particle size of Beta glucan important?

A: Beta glucans are absorbed through the intestine wall. Visualize the intestine wall as made of mesh and it becomes clear a small particle will go through the mesh easier than a huge particle. Large particle size Beta glucans are inexpensive because they are not processed and certified as micronized to an average preferably of 1 micron or less. Whether you take 1 milligram or 1,000 milligrams of Beta glucan, only the small particles will be absorbed and the remainder just passes through and is expelled. 1 milligram of small particle Beta glucan is just as effective as 1,000 milligrams of roughage glucans if only 1 out of the 1,000 milligrams of the large particle roughage glucan is absorbed.

Q: Why are some Beta glucans so much more expensive than others?

A: To reduce the Beta glucan to a small particle size of 1 micron average or less is at present very expensive, involving multiple processing steps to reduce the glucan particle size and then to assure the Beta glucan does not re-aggregate in larger clumps. Almost all Beta glucans selling very inexpensively are either derived from oats and barley and are in essence fiber, or are very large particle sizes which have had no or minimal processing. Some are even whole yeast cell walls without the Beta glucan extracted at all. More and larger are not better in Beta glucans. You may pay 5 to 10 times more for certified micronized Beta 1, 3/1, 6 glucan from yeast cell wall, but it is many times as effective as the inexpensive and generally ineffective Beta glucans that for the most part, go right through your system and minimally potentiate the immune response. You get what you pay for in Beta glucans as in most other products.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Macrophages play an essential and pivotal role in the initiation and maintenance of the immune response. From an evolutionary point of view, the macrophage is the oldest and most consistently preserved immunologically competent cell known. Not only humans and higher animals, but primitive invertebrates such as Hydra which have no other immunological effector cells, have macrophages.

MACROPHAGE ACTIVATION: In order to function defensively, the macrophages must pass through a state of activation which involves certain morphological changes. Also, most importantly, a whole sequence of metabolic changes occurs which results in the production of a series of so-called cytokines. They act as internal regulators of the immune system. Activation can be initiated by a variety of different stimuli such as endotoxin, bacteria, viruses or chemicals. However, these activators can be too toxic or pathogenic to be useful.

BETA-1, 3-GLUCAN IS ORALLY EFFECTIVE: Beta-1, 3-glucan on the other hand is orally effective, completely safe and non-toxic and may be one of the most potent stimulators of the immune response. There are several different types of beta glucan.

MACROPHAGE IS A POWERHOUSE: The activated macrophage is a veritable powerhouse. A macrophage can recognize and kill tumor cells non-specifically, as well as remove foreign debris. It also can produce a number of essential cytokines that are able to stimulate the immune system in general and boost bone marrow production. Some individuals, because of age, chronic infection or poor nutrition have a compromised immune defense system. They are susceptible to all of the following problems: arthritis; reduced wound healing capacity; reduced bone marrow proliferation with resulting lowered white cell counts and anemia; increased incidence of cancers; and increased incidence of viral, fungal, and bacterial infection.

ANTI-AGING: It is well understood that one of the main elements of the aging process is a lowering of the effectiveness of the immune function. All the problems previously mentioned occur with aging. In addition, the immune system is impaired by numerous environmental factors such as UV radiation, food preservatives and antibiotics.

REDUCES STRESS-RELATED IMMUNOSUPPRESSION: Physical and emotional stress and intense physical exercise can also negatively affect the immune system. It is well documented that generally healthy athletes frequently suffer from influenza or pneumonia following heavy periods of intense exercise. The same immunosuppression is observed in people with stress-related diseases, such as coronary disease. Under these influences, the number of macrophages available is reduced and unable to participate in the immune cascade which causes even deeper immunosuppression. Beta-1, 3-glucan has been shown to both stimulate and activate macrophage cells which will counter these effects.

MELANOMAS: In the 1970's, after extensive studies in animals, human experiments with beta glucan began. In a study conducted by Peter Mansell, M.D., beta glucan was injected into subcutaneous nodules of malignant melanoma. Subsequent biopsies of the injection sites found no evidence of melanoma, just a collection of obviously activated macrophages.

ULCERS: A subsequent study treated a number of women who experienced recurrent malignant ulcers of the chest wall following mastectomy and radiation for breast cancer. The same material was used in the treatment of large pressure ulcers at the New Orleans Charity Hospital with complete resolution of the ulcers, some of which went down to the sacrum. An unexpected benefit was the complete lack of infection and the rapidity of the reappearance of normal skin. The first human study on Beta-1, 3-glucan's systemic effect was in the mid 1980's on advanced HIV infection. Even in these deeply immunologically deficient individuals, an increase in serum cytokines IL-1, IL-2 and interferon was measured. Results of another clinical trial showed a significant mortality decrease from infectious complications in severe trauma patients. At the time of these studies, a crude preparation containing beta glucan was already registered in Eastern Europe for injection to treat the effects of bone marrow suppression from radiation or chemotherapy.

PROTECTS AGAINST RADIATION EFFECTS: One of the remarkable oral studies with beta glucan was undertaken by the U.S. Armed Forces Radiobiology Institute. In a well-controlled study, rats were given a lethal dose of radiation. Seventy percent of these rats were completely protected from the radiation effects when given a dose of yeast beta glucan by mouth AFTER the radiation.

POTENT FREE-RADICAL SCAVENGER: Myra Patchen, Ph.D., co-author of the above-referenced study, discovered that beta glucan is also a free radical scavenger. It is able to protect blood macrophages from free radical attack during and alter radiation allowing these cells to continue their important functions in the irradiated body and release factors important to the restoration of normal bone marrow production.

ANTIOXIDANT EFFECTS: Free radical scavenging assays were repeated in different models which confirmed the antioxidant effect. In light of what is known about the potential of free radicals to accelerate aging, cause cancer and other diseases, this particular effect of Beta-1,3-glucan is especially important.

AN EFFECTIVE ORAL IMMUNOSTIMULANT: Recent independent experiments completed at Baylor College of Medicine in the laboratory of Professor Phil Wyde, Ph.D., also indicate the oral effectiveness of Beta-1, 3-glucan in stimulating non-specific immunity. Peritoneal macrophages doubled their phagocyte activity in mice fed with Beta-1, 3-glucan. This systemic effect of oral application is comparable to that achieved by injection, which makes this material a unique and very valuable oral immunostimulant.

REDUCES NEED AND INCREASES EFFECTIVENESS OF ANTIBIOTICS: When Beta-1,3-glucan was added to the antibiotic regime in animals challenged with different bacterial pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and others) and viral pathogens (Herpes virus), a reduced amount of antibiotics or antivirals were needed to cope with the infection.

FIGHTS CANDIDA: Beta-1, 3-glucan also has an antifungal effect, shown in experiments with Candida albicans. Such a broad anti-infective spectrum of Beta-1, 3-glucan can be explained only by the fact that the immunostimulation produced by this unique material is non-specific.

REDUCES CHOLESTEROL: Continuing independent research on the oral application of Beta-1, 3-glucan reveals that it also increases the effectiveness of oral cholesterol-reducing agents, such as niacin and Lopid.

HELPS DIABETES: Interestingly, recent research has also demonstrated the anti-diabetic effect of IL-1 cytokine, which increases insulin production, causing the lowering of blood glucose level.

INCREASES INTERLEUKIN 1: Macrophages are the main source of IL-1 in the body and its production can be boosted by Beta-1, 3-glucan supplementation. Mindful of the extremely high rate of atherosclerotic complications and the extraordinary requirement for antioxidants in diabetic patients, Beta-1, 3-glucan is an obvious adjuvant for an improved life-style in these conditions.

IMMUNE STIMULATOR: It has been repeatedly shown in a multitude of studies concerning the activity of beta glucan as an immune stimulator - or perhaps more descriptively, a "biological defense modifier", for the immune system - that Beta-1, 3-glucan can be beneficial. The aging process has been defined as "the sum total of life's physical embarrassment due to adverse conditions." Beta-1, 3-glucan may well be the first true anti-aging nutritional supplement. It is a defense against negative events such as infection, tumors and radiation damage, and adjunctive to the positive effects of antioxidants, lipid balance enhancers, antibiotics and other therapeutics. The result can be improved general health which means greater enjoyment of life, fewer infirmities, less time and money required for medical needs and potentially dramatic savings in health-related expenditures over time.

SUMMARY: Beta-1, 3-glucan is a safe and very potent nutritional supplement with a systemic effect that can be described as non-specific immune stimulation combined with free-radical scavenging activity. Technically it is a polysaccharide molecule made completely with glucose that is highly purified. Glucose is a simple saccharide that the body transforms to energy as ATP and stores in muscles, liver and other tissues in a form of glycogen. Beta-1, 3-glucan is different from energy-storing glucose containing polysaccharides because the connection between the glucose units is different. More specifically, it is the Beta-1, 3-glucan linkage that makes this compound so unique. As a Baker's yeast extract it is Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS category according to the FDA) and has no known toxicity or side effects.

Dosage: Preventive: 1 - 10 milligram capsule daily.
Treatment: 2 capsules 2 or 3 times daily.

Special note: Better absorption is obtained when taken on an empty stomach. Dosage varies by individual.