Beta Immune #60

Beta ImmuneTM is a high quality, pure, patented GRAS ingredient containing an insoluble, complex carbohy- drate purified from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Baker’s yeast) known as beta 1,3/1,6 glucan. Numerous animal and human studies have demonstrated safety and shown efficacy as an immune modulator. When taken orally Beta ImmuneTM interacts with key immune cells to initiate a cascade of immune activity designed to protect the body against foreign challenges.

While studies are still underway to demonstrate the power and versatility of yeast-derived beta glucan, by the 1960s it was already widely recognized as an immune enhancer. Yeast beta glucan is the subject of more than 800 scientific studies. Two important facts make the ingredient outstanding: 1) its unique mechanism of action has been clearly defined and accepted by the scientific community; 2) its health benefits are demonstrable by measur- ing significant increases in phagocytosis, selective cytokine release and oxidative degranulation.
Each source of beta glucan, including bacteria, fungi, oats, barley, rye, and yeast has its own unique structure of glucose linkages. The 1,3/1,6 linkages of yeast beta glucan are known to spark the greatest degree of biological immune enhancement. The key difference in these sources is concentration of 1,3/1,6 beta glucan.
Unlike many other beta glucan formulas on the market, Center for Optimum Health’s Beta ImmuneTM is refined to remove most impurities including proteins and fats that can interfere with its uptake and effectiveness. A compo- nent called “mannan” that may trigger an allergic reaction or inflammatory bowel flare in sensitive individuals is also removed.
Once in the body, beta glucan is bound to immune cells called macrophages. The macrophages degrade it into small beta glucan fragments that are secreted and bound to innate immune cells (neutrophils). Neutrophils, the primary cells in the immune response, are the most abundant immune cells circulating throughout the body. When these cells are bound with the small beta glucan fragments, they become primed and are better able to kill pathogenic challenges such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Through a process called chemotaxis, these primed neutrophils migrate to the site of tumors or infections with enhanced killing capability.
Research demonstrates that the unique mechanism of action in Beta ImmuneTM provides a sustained release of soluble fragments over a multi-day period. Recent studies also demonstrate that these soluble fragments secreted in the bone marrow may play an important role in accelerating white blood cell recovery following radiation and other bone marrow insults.