Yeast Extract
Beta-glucans are naturally occurring polysaccharides (chains of sugar molecules) found in various plants and fungi. Polysaccharides are classified by how the individual sugar molecules are linked together. The beta-glucans found in fungi (such as yeasts and mushrooms) mostly have 1,3/1,6 linkages, whereas the beta-glucans from grains (such as oats and barley) are 1,3/1,4 linkages.
It is widely known that beta-glucans can stimulate immune responses. Because 1,3/1,6 beta-glucans are found in virtually all types of fungi, it is believed that the immune system recognizes these structures to fight off fungal infections.
Studies have shown that beta-glucans can activate certain types of immune responses when they are eaten. Therefore, scientists have been examining whether beta-glucan supplements can help strengthen immune function.
Researchers at The Dove Clinic for Integrated Medicine recently tested the effects Wellmune® WGP, a yeast-derived beta-glucan supplement, in a randomized controlled clinical trial. One hundred medical students were randomly assigned to take either a placebo or 250 milligrams of Wellmune® once daily for 90 days during flu season. The subjects then recorded how many days they experienced upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptoms. They also recorded how severe the symptoms were using a validated score.
The subjects who took Wellmune® experienced significantly fewer days of URTI symptoms compared to the control group. Those who took Wellmune® also reported reduced symptom severity, although this trend was not statistically significant.
These results suggested that beta-glucan may help reduce the risk or duration of respiratory tract infections. The authors reported these study results at the 1st UK International Functional Food Conference in Oxford, UK in November 2010, and called for further research to confirm these early findings.
For more information about beta-glucan, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements database.
References
1. Brown GD, Gordon S. Fungal beta-glucans and mammalian immunity. Immunity. 2003 Sep;19(3):311-5. View Abstract
2. Chen J, Seviour R. Medicinal importance of fungal beta-(1-->3), (1-->6)-glucans. Mycol Res. 2007 Jun;111(Pt 6):635-52. View Abstract
3. Fuller R, Yam T, Butt H, Calder P, Kenyon J, Noakes P. A Randomised Controlled Trial to Assess the Ability of Yeast-Derived 1,3/1,6 Glucopolysaccharide to Reduce Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Symptoms [abstract]. In: Programme and Abstracts of the 1st UK International Functional Food Conference; Nov 25-26; Oxford, UK. Oxford: Oxford Brookes University 2010; p. 103.
4. Natural Standard: The Authority on Integrative Medicine. www.naturalstandard.com
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