Beta-glucan a safe bet for auto-immune diseases

Beta-glucan helps the body resist many infections without causing the immune system to become overactive. This means that is well tolerated by people with autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and AIDS.

Beta-glucan works by causing macrophages to become active. Macrophages are white blood cells that engulf foreign bodies that cause infection, such as viruses, bacteria and fungi, and so prevent these foreign bodies from causing harm.

You can find beta-glucan, which is a polysaccharide, in the cell walls of baker's yeast.

Beta-glucan is thought to increase resistance to most infections and to help speed up healing, protect against exposure to radiation and regulate cholesterol levels.

In one study, patients who had lung or gastrointestinal surgery were given beta-glucan. It was found that they were much less likely to develop infections post surgery than patients who were not given beta-glucan.

Beta-glucan works best when it is taken with nutrients that protect against damage from free radicals. These nutrients include zinc, selenium, beta-carotene, Vitamin E and Vitamin C.