How Beta Glucan Works
A comprehensive article has been published on beta-1,3-glucan's anti-tumor properties by Feng Hong, et al., in The Journal of Immunology (J Immunol 2004;173:797-806). The authors of the article addressed the nagging questions about how beta-glucan enters the body, arrives to the key immune areas of the body.
Older studies on the anti-tumor effects of beta-glucan used the injectable form of beta-glucan. The injectable form was used because it was believed that the beta-glucan molecule was too large to be absorbed by orally, via the intestinal track.
Figure 1 shows a macrophage that has ingested a stained whole particulate Beta glucan molecule. The Beta Glucan in this study is the base material used for Glucan 300. This is just one of the examples offered as proof by independent university labs that "micronizing" it is not needed in order for Beta 1, 3-d glucan to work.
This study was focusing on cancer research and the authors also wished to prove absorption characteristics of whole particulate Beta 1, 3-D glucan.
Figure 2 demonstrates another startling discovery that was made based on the results of this test.
The study also showed that once the beta glucan material was inside the macrophage cells, it was broken down into the smaller soluble form, which were then secreted for further distribution throughout the bodies immune system.
The results of these tests confirm that beta 1, 3-d glucan given orally is just as effective as the intravenous route. The results of this study confirms earlier findings showing the same immune support characteristics of oral versus intravenous[1].
Because this soluble material is smaller it is picked up by an important C3 receptor site on neutrophils and on other cell types. This receptor site is absolutely essential for the ability of neutrophils to be effective cancer-killers.
Using this fluorescein-stained beta 1, 3-d glucan, it was found that the smaller glucan molecules are picked up by intestinal macrophages and is carried to the lymph nodes, spleen and the bone marrow—all sites of important immune activity. Figure 3 shows the smaller soluble Beta glucan inside a bone marrow cell.
Figures (1), (2) and (3) clearly shows how whole particulate Beta glucan is engulfed and broken down naturally in the body to promote health immune system support function. Macrophage engulfment is the first step of this process then neutrophils and other immune system components later bind to the smaller soluble molecules.
Our body actually has the ability to produce some anti-tumor antibodies on its own but due to the modern diet our immune systems are taxed to the limit. Beta 1, 3-d glucan is an obvious choice for anyone looking at maintaining healthy immune support function.
[1] Wade P: Beta 1-,3-glucan activity in mice intraperitoneal and oral applications. Baylor College of Medicine. Research Summary, 1989
