Nutraceuticals and nootropics for anti-aging

Beta-glucan, bacterial infection-fighter, reveals more of its secrets.

Beta-glucan, a gummy starch-related substance found in bacteria, fungi, yeast, and plants, has been known since the 1940s to be an immune system stimulator. Research since then has shown that beta-glucan’s anti-bacterial activity involves the the binding of beta-glucan particles to certain immune-system cells — in particular, the cells known as macrophages and neutrophils. Macrophages and neutrophils migrate to the site of a bacterial infection where they use chemicals and enzymes to kill the bacteria and then destroy the resulting debris.

What, exactly, does beta-glucan’s binding to immune cells have to do with their ability to destroy bacteria? In order to destroy the bacteria, the immune cells must first locate them and go there. They do this by sensing certain substances given off by the bacteria. A research group at Brown University has now shown — in the case of neutrophils, at least — that the role of beta-glucan in this process is to increase the sensitivity of the immune cells to these substances.

Why beta-glucan? Because it is a component of the cell walls of bacteria and other infection-producing organisms. During an infection, some of these infecting organisms die and release beta-glucans into the tissues. Immune cells sense these molecules and are thereby activated to home on in the source.

Why don’t immune cells simply remain fully active all the time, even in the absence of beta-glucans? Surely this would improve their response time to infections. Questions like this are not easily answered by research studies since they are really questions about why evolution took the particular twists and turns that it did. But even without knowing the reasons for the immune system’s deficiencies we can sometimes overcome them. In this case, we can use beta-glucan supplements to keep the immune system more vigilant and able to act.

Link to tutorials on beta-glucan:

Beta-glucan website

Link to tutorial on relevant immune system cells:

Merck tutorial on nonspecific immunity

Link to news article about Brown University study:

Beta glucan shown to speed up immune response

Link to abstract of research report:

Beta-glucan affects leukocyte navigation in a complex chemotactic gradient.

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LifeLink carries Beta-Glucan in 250 mg capsules.