Beta-glucan : Your Healthy Life's Guard
What are β-glucans?
β-glucans are made up of polysaccharides consisting of glucose units. It can be found in nature, such as grains, barley, yeast, bacteria, algae, and mushroom. Even though β-glucans are made up of glucose units, it is a type of fiber extracted from nature in a form of active ingredients. β-glucans are classified as dietary fiber. There are two types of dietary fiber: soluble & insoluble.
β-glucans are one form of soluble dietary fiber, which help lowering cholesterol level and enhance heart health. β-glucans can be extracted from whole grains, oats, bran, wheat, and barley. The yeast and some types of fungi, such as Tiger Milk Mushroom, Reishi mushrooms, and Cordyceps contain β-glucans as well.
What are the benefits of beta glucan?
- Boost Immune System
Many studies show that β-glucans can improve the immune system. Scientists think β-glucan may be able to stimulate the immune system and help the body fight off disease and infection more effectively. β-glucans extract from oats, consists of a higher value of active compounds, it will not digest by the stomach, but directly absorbed by the small intestine. The macrophage on the mucous cell in the small intestine combined with beta-glucans, the macrophages on the mucous cells of the small intestine is activated after absorbing β-glucan through β-glucan receptors, thereby protecting and enhancing the immune system. Besides, At the same time, it will also provide signals to other immune cells, such as B cells and T cells, so that they can gather at the infected place to activate immune effects. - Regulate Blood Lipid & Cholesterol Level
β-glucan can absorb bile acid and promote the excretion of bile acid from the body, promote the conversion of cholesterol to bile acid, and maintain the normal metabolism of cholesterol.
Scientists also found that the main effect of β-glucan is to significantly reduce the total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the plasma and ultimately achieve the goal of regulating blood lipids. - Regulate Blood Sugar Level
β-glucan can protect and repair pancreatic beta cells, improve the perception of insulin in peripheral tissues, reduce the requirement for insulin, promote glucose to return to normal, and have inhibitory and preventive effects on diabetes. It may help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. It may also improve blood sugar control for those who have diabetes. The high viscosity properties of β-glucan increase the gastric mucosal barrier and inhibit sugar metabolism. At the same time, oats β-glucan can stimulate related mold substances in the spleen, regulate insulin secretion, and achieve the effect of balancing blood sugar. - Enhance heart health
Research shows that β-glucan can boost heart health. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source approved a heart-healthy label for foods that have high values of β-glucan. Research shows that β-glucan may lower cholesterol and triglycerides effectively. Oats contained with β-glucan consist more healthy and nutritious than the other main cereals. One of the more scientific breakthroughs was the finding of oat β-glucan cholesterol-lowering properties, especially for metabolic syndrome. In the past, researchers have proven health benefits like preventing heart diseases by maintaining or lowering cholesterol and decreased blood sugar levels. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the number 1 cause of death globally reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Besides, high cholesterol is one of the factors in the development of coronary heart disease. The latest research shows that oats with β-glucan can be recommended as part of a healthy diet to reduce the risk of CVD.