Immunomodulator Stark Pharm - Beta-Glucan 250 mg (60 capsules) (exp. date until 03/01/2023)

Description

Stark Beta-Glucan is a beta-glucan, a natural polysaccharide with pronounced immunomodulatory properties.

Beta glucan has been extensively researched for its most significant antitumor and immunomodulatory properties. To date, more than 3,000 special studies have been carried out. Some sources call this substance the most powerful immunomodulatory drug currently known.

Glucans are polysaccharides with a long chain, the structural unit of which is glucose (hexose), which is attached to positions 1 and 3 in this chain. Small side chains grow from the main chain of the polysaccharide.

The most active form of beta 1,3 - D glucans is that which has side chains at positions 1,6 and which branches off from the main long chain of beta 1,3 glucan. For this reason, beta-1,3-glucan is also referred to in the literature as beta-1,3/1,6 glucan.

The most common source of Beta glucans is the cell wall of the baker's yeast Saccharomyces cervevisial.

How does beta glucan work?

 
Beta glucans have a significant impact on the functionality of the immune system. Increased immunity contributes to a better defense of the body against parasites, viruses, bacteria and fungi, as well as against aberrational cell growth (Wasser and colleagues, 1999), in the prevention of cancer.

Studies have shown that oral administration of Beta Glucan increases the production of three important cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ and TNF-α), inhibiting cancer cell growth in vivo and providing prophylactic protection against anthrax infection in mice (source #1 after text).

In Japan, extracts containing various types of beta-glucan have been successfully used for the past 20 years to help fight cancer. It has the unique ability to attach itself to cancer cells and mark them, making them more visible to the immune system.

In addition to the aforementioned immunomodulatory actions, Beta Glucan lowers cholesterol and helps with high blood pressure. Polymers of glucose, a constituent of Beta glucan, also have a positive effect on the growth of probiotic bacterial species in the intestinal tract (Jaskari and coworkers, 1998) and improve blood lipid composition (Nicolosi and coworkers, 1999).

Beta 1,3 glucan has been characterized as a drug capable of modifying the body's biological response due to its ability to prepare the immune system for action (Miura and coworkers, 1996). In this case, it is necessary to distinguish the action of Beta glucan from the action of drugs that stimulate the immune system. The action of drugs that stimulate the immune system can lead to an overactive reaction of the body, and contribute to the occurrence of autoimmune disease. Beta glucan increases the capacity of the immune system without causing the body to overreact. Modulation of the immune system by Beta glucans may be due to altered macrophage and T cell (lymphocyte) activity that is derived from the production of expression of various cytokines (Borchers et al., 1999). The effect on macrophages is manifested in an increase in their functionality, which makes it possible to find and eliminate infections and foreign substances in the body; increase the production of cytokines (tumor necrosis factor, interferon and interleukins), thus increasing the body's specific and non-specific immune response (Chihara, 1992; Czop et al., 1989).

Beta glucan not only activates immunocompetent cells, but also increases the rate of their maturation, and, which is very significant, increases their lifespan.

Absorption in the body takes place with the help of enterocytes. Beta 1,3-D glucan and similar preparations are transported through the cell walls of the interstitial tract into the lymph, where they integrate with macrophages and increase the functionality of the immune system.
It has been shown that enterocytes are involved in the transport of Beta glucans and similar compounds through the cell walls of the intestinal tract into the lymph, where they integrate with macrophages, resulting in a strengthening of the immune system (Frey and coworkers, 1996). Tests carried out with radioactively labeled beta glucan proved that micro- and macroparticles (fragments) of beta glucans are found in blood serum, which unequivocally proves the absorption of glucans by the intestinal tract (Tsukagoshi and coworkers, 1984).

In the US, Beta Glucan has received the GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) mark. This mark is awarded by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Side effects are almost non-existent. The recommended daily dose of beta glucan, according to various authors, is 3-3000 mg, depending on whether it is used as a prophylaxis or as a maintenance drug for various diseases. Most authors recommend 25 mg/day as a prophylactic and 50 to 500 mg/day as a therapeutic dose. To improve absorption, it is recommended to use beta glucan on an empty stomach 30 minutes before meals .

Indications for the use of Beta Glucan are as follows : various infections, high cholesterol, weakening of the immune system, allergies, chronic fatigue syndrome, hypothermia, colds, stress, general overwork of the body, gastroduodenal ulcerative lesions, to support the hematopoietic system, an additional cancer treatment.