Overview
Beta glucans are soluble fibers found in bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and some plants’ cell walls. They could help to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Beta glucans may inhibit the absorption of cholesterol from meals. They may also activate the immune system by increasing anti-infective molecules. The FDA in the United States authorizes products containing at least 750 mg of beta glucans to make a health claim that they may lessen the risk of heart disease.
The most popular uses for beta glucans are for heart disease and high cholesterol. They’re also used for various other ailments, including eczema and diabetes, although most of these treatments lack scientific backing.
Applications & Efficacy
Heart disease is a serious condition. As part of a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet, eating at least 3.6 grams of beta-glucans or other soluble fibers daily may help avoid heart disease. Beta-glucans are abundant in oat and barley products.
A high cholesterol level.
There is interest in employing beta-glucans for various additional applications, but there isn’t enough reliable data to say whether they will benefit.
Warnings and Special Precautions
There isn’t enough credible evidence to tell if beta glucans are safe to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Interactions
Moderate interaction
This combination should be used with caution.
Immunosuppressive medications (Immunosuppressants) interact with BETA GLUCANS.
Beta-glucans can boost the immune system’s activity. When these drugs are used with beta-glucans, the effects of these medications may be reduced. Blood pressure medications (antihypertensive medicines) interact with BETA-GLUCANS.
Beta-glucans have been shown to reduce blood pressure. If you use beta-glucans with blood pressure drugs, your blood pressure may drop too low. Keep a close eye on your blood pressure.
Dosing
Adults have traditionally taken beta-glucans derived from oats or barley in quantities of 2-6 grams per day for 3-12 weeks. Beta-glucans derived from yeast have often been taken orally in 250-500 mg daily for 4-12 weeks. Beta-glucans are also found in lotions that are applied to the skin. To find out what product is appropriate for a given problem, speak with a healthcare provider.
Consequences
Beta glucans are widely ingested in foods when taken by mouth. It’s possible that taking higher doses of beta-glucans as medicine for up to 8-12 weeks is safe. There have been no negative effects associated with taking beta-glucans orally.
Beta glucans are likely safe when applied to the skin for a short period. Some people may develop a rash as a result of them.
Beta-glucans are soluble fibers found in bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and some plants’ cell walls. They could help to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Beta-glucans may inhibit the absorption of cholesterol from meals. They may also activate the immune system by increasing anti-infective molecules. The FDA in the United States authorizes products containing at least 750 mg of beta-glucans to make a health claim that they may lessen the risk of heart disease.
The most popular uses for beta-glucans are for heart disease and high cholesterol. They’re also used for various other ailments, including eczema and diabetes, although most of these treatments lack scientific backing.
Applications & Efficacy
Heart disease is a serious condition. As part of a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet, eating at least 3.6 grams of beta-glucans or other soluble fibers daily may help avoid heart disease. Beta-glucans are abundant in oat and barley products.
A high cholesterol level. In persons with high cholesterol, taking beta-glucans derived from oats or barley by mouth for many weeks appears to lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad”) cholesterol.
There is interest in employing beta-glucans for various additional applications, but there isn’t enough reliable data to say whether they will benefit.
Warnings and Special Precautions
There isn’t enough credible evidence to tell if beta-glucans are safe to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. To be on the safe side, avoid using it.
