Beta-Glucan is comprised of combined sugars or polysaccharides and is classified as a kind of soluble fiber. Beta Glucan is not found in the body naturally. It is readily available in dietary supplements. Beta-Glucans are found in bacteria's cell walls, yeasts, lichens, fungi, algae and plants including barley and oats. In some cases, beta-glucans can be used as medicine. They are also consumed by mouth for diabetes, HIV/AIDS, canker sores, high cholesterol, cancer, and high blood pressure.
Numerous individuals consume beta-glucans by mouth to enhance their immune system. This is often by individuals suffering from conditions that have weakened their bodily defenses. This includes treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, emotional and physical stress and chronic fatigue syndrome. Beta-glucans are also consumed by mouth by individuals for:
Beta-glucans can also be applied to the skin to help treat dermatitis, wrinkles, wounds, diabetic ulcers, eczema, bedsores, burns and radiation burns. Beta-glucans can be administered by healthcare providers intravenously by IV. A muscle injection is often used to enhance the immune system for individuals with conditions related to HIV/AIDS or to treat cancer. When an individual is recovering from surgery, beta-glucan is administered through an IV to help prevent an infection from developing.
Medical professionals can give a shot of beta-glucan subcutaneously or beneath the skin for the reduction and treatment of skin tumors due to the spreading of cancer. One of the food additives in the manufacturing process for numerous products is beta-glucan. This includes frozen desserts, cheese spreads, salad dressings and sour cream. Several of the supplements containing beta-glucan have claimed the only way the product can be absorbed when consumed by mouth is when a patented process is used.
The particles of beta-glucan are micronized by this process until their size is a maximum of one micron. There are also foods rich in beta-glucans including:
The immune system protects the body from illnesses, diseases and infections. When viruses, fungi or bacteria are present, a response from the immune system is triggered. When an individual has cancer, abnormal cells are recognized by the immune system. The immune system tries to kill these cells. When the cancer is aggressive, the response of the immune system is often not strong enough to kill all the cancer cells.
The blood cells responsible for fighting infections are impacted by cancer. This results in a weakening of the immune system. Physicians may recommend BMRs (biologic response modifiers. This is a type of immunotherapy triggering a defense response by boosting the immune system. Beta-glucans are just one of the different types of BMRs. Beta-glucan can help slow the growth of cancer while preventing the spread to another area of the body. One of the treatments being researched for cancer is beta-glucan.
By Mouth: The dosage of beta-glucans for high cholesterol is 7.5 grams. This must be made from yeast, and is added to a glass of juice and consumed twice each day for seven to eight weeks. Three to ten grams of beta-glucans made from oak or barley may also be consumed once per day for a maximum of twelve weeks. Hay fever can be treated with 250 milligrams of beta-glucans made using yeast once per day for four weeks.
Medical professionals administer fifty milligrams of beta-glucans manufactured using yeast to prevent infections after surgery. This is administered by IV once each day for seven days for trauma patients having an exploratory procedure. Beta-glucans are also administered by IV in 0.5 to two-milligram doses one to six hours prior to surgery. If the patient has a high risk of infection, the dosage is repeated every four, 48 or 96 hours once the surgery has been completed.
By IV: Medical professionals treat cancer of the cervix with twenty to forty milligrams of (SPG) beta-glucan schizophyllan by IV one or two times per week for a minimum of one year.
Beta-Glucans are used for boosting a weak immune system resulting from the following conditions:
Beta-glucans have been clinically shown to prevent cancer from metastasizing in several different ways. This includes:
Research has shown host cells and tumor cells are different than microorganisms because beta-glucan is not one of the surface components. This is believed to account for the vulnerability of cancer to beta-glucan supplementation. There is a lot of research currently being conducted regarding treating cancer using beta-glucans. The immune system becomes overactive due to serious diseases and infections including cancer.
This impacts the defense mechanisms of the body. Beta-glucans trigger a defensive response, helping activate the immune cells. When an individual has cancer, this response assists the body in attacking the cancer cells. This also slows down the growth of these abnormal cells.
Beta-glucans may be able to decrease blood cholesterol levels by preventing cholesterol absorption from food in the intestines and stomach when consumed by mouth. When beta-glucans are administered by injection, they may enhance the immune system due to the increase in chemicals. This may prevent infections.
Beta-glucans are being used for women with advanced cervical cancer. Some evidence has shown a certain type of beta-glucan vein injection by IV can increase the life expectancy of these women when used in conjunction with traditional cancer treatment. The administration of beta-glucans must continue for a minimum of one year.
Some research shows hay fever symptoms can be reduced when beta-glucans are consumed every day for four weeks.
Beta-glucans derived from yeast are administered after surgery by IV. This appears to decrease the risk of infection after surgery. Beta-glucans are also believed to decrease the risk of sepsis. This is a serious infection trauma patients are at risk of contracting.
Beta-glucan can be administered as an injection of consumed by mouth. Physicians recommend using beta-glucan as a supplement because there are few if any side effects. The side effects that are common include:
Other side effects can result when beta-glucans are injected right into the bloodstream by a physician. This includes:
Beta-glucans are still being researched as a possible treatment for cancer. Immunotherapy has resulted in numerous successful outcomes. Traditional treatment options are still important and should be pursued. When an individual decides to have a beta-glucan treatment, they need to weigh the benefits against the potential side effects. If the individual has any adverse reactions due to the treatment, they need to consult with a physician immediately.
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