Beta 1, 3 Glucan

Linkage + Content Level + Purity = High Quality Product

In our last article we discussed that the term beta glucan was a general term which means absolutely nothing when it comes to an safe, effective product.

All the peer reviewed medical research that has shown the incredible immune support results results is based on the the study of one specific linkage.

What is this missing linkage?

It is also called Beta 1 3 glucan, or the more popular known term: Beta 1, 3-D glucan or 1,3 linked glucose.

All the medical research, spanning across two centuries has confirmed the fact that it is the Beta 1, 3-D glucan linkage that "turns on" the immune system[1].

The history of Beta 1,3-D glucan reaches into the middle of the last century. Dr. Louis Pillemer documented a material that was shown to produce amazing immune system support properties. It was given the name of Zymosan.

Later in the 20th century another doctor working at Tulane University identified the specific immune system support material as Beta-1, 3-D glucan. Medical studies on humans using this material started during the 1970's and have continued up the the present day.

To review the independent medical research on Beta 1, 3-D glucan click here. Please note: This research is not related to any product. It is results both on the oral powder and injectable form. This link leads to research that many manufactures and marketers use to sell their product when in fact there maybe no Beta 1, 3-D glucan in their product.

Beta 1, 3-D glucan can be extracted from many sources. Below are the most popular sources, listed ;

• Yeast Beta glucan - By far the most researched. This source is considered "the mother of all Beta glucan's" for its amazing immune support properties. Not only has this material been shown to active the immune system independent tests have also shown beneficial effects for heart health.

• Oat Beta glucan - Similar to Barley glucan as a source of dietary fiber and heart health. This material is found in many of your popular "functional food" products, such as oat-meal.

• Mushroom Beta glucan - Studies show mushroom derived glucan help support immune system function however not at the level of the yeast derived products.

• Barley Beta glucan - Generally used as a source of dietary fiber and heart health. This source is the newest kid on the block.

Because bakers yeast derived Beta 1, 3-D glucan has proven itself the most effective of all the sources we will use it.

The Beta 1, 3-D glucan linkage is located in an area of the cell wall of bakers yeast between the mannoprotein layers/walls.

Below is a breakdown of an bakers yeast cell;

The active linkage contained within this area is what makes an effective and safe Beta glucan product stand out from from a bad one. This is the "missing 1, 3-D linkage" that is required to "turn-on" the immune system. This linkage must remain intact in order for it to be effective. If it is broken up it losses its effectiveness.

It is the seperating of the beta glucans from the cell walls and the rest of the bakers yeast cells contents (lipids, acids, etc...) that is important. If this process in not done correctly the linkage will be broken-up and the product will contain these unwanted impurities.

The 2-4 micronsis the size of bakers yeast cells. A human hair is between 50 and 100 microns wide.

Now, lets look at how most manufactures create their Beta glucan product.

Not only is the missing 1, 3-D linkage not present, the unwanted impurities, fats and proteins are present at unwanted levels. In case some active 1, 3-D linkage may survive.

However, if there are active linkages left with the unwanted impurities present, the impurities will work against the active linkage reducing or eliminating any benefit. Is some cases the grinding (also known as "micronized") does not occur at all. Some manufactures simply dry the bakers yeast and bottle it.

Why is it important to remove as much of the impurities as possible?

Beta 1, 3-D glucan is absorbed by the peyers patches located in the small intestine[2]. Excess fats reduce the ablity to be absorbed. Excess proteins on the other hand lead to adverse reactions such as yeast infections[3].

Remember when we wrote about the importance of the label on a product?

Lets look at a label typically found on a Beta glucan product;

Notice that this label does not list the specific linkages? They are ALL hidden. This is a red flag that alerts the educted individual to look elsewhere for a Beta glucan product.

Proper manufacturing requires the removal of the unwanted contents from the Baker's yeast. It involves stripping away various layers of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and other materials that make up a yeast cell.

Lets review what we have learned so far. For an safe, effective product we need the following;

Article 1: Beta glucan

• FACT 1: The term Beta glucan does not necessarily mean you are purchasing a safe and effective product, and;
• FACT 2: The product must contain a specific "missing" Beta glucan linkage, and;
• FACT 3: The product must contain the proper amount of this linkage, and;
• FACT 4: The product must be pure as possible, with little or no impurities that would reduce the effectiveness or cause adverse reactions.

New Facts

• FACT 5: Beta 1 3 glucan, or more popularly referred to as Beta 1, 3-D glucan is the ingredient required to "turn-on" the immune system. Independent research at many prestigious universities worldwide prove it, and;
• FACT 6: Bakers yeast is the most popular and researched source for producing a high quality Beta 1, 3-D glucan product, and;
• FACT 7: In order to produce a high quality, effective and safe product the unwanted components of the bakers yeast cell must be removed, as much as possible, without damaging the 1 3 glucan linkage, and;
• FACT 8: Almost all manufactures simply dry and/or grind bakers yeast, bottle it and call it a Beta glucan product, and;
• FACT 9: The label on a Beta glucan product is a good indicator to determine if it is a high quality, safe and effective product. However it is not the only thing that should be used in determining a high quality, safe and effective product.

How do you produce a high quality Beta 1 3 glucan product, that's a good question that we need to answer which is the purpose of our next article. To learn more about proper manufacturing process to produce a high quality Beta 1 3-D glucan product click here.